Baked Citrus Salmon Recipe
This Citrus Salmon Recipe is the easy, flavor-packed dinner recipe you’ll reach for any night of the week, delivering bright, fresh results with almost zero effort.
You’ll create a tender, restaurant-quality salmon that’s bursting with zesty citrus and perfectly balanced seasoning that feels special without spending hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re meal prepping, planning a weeknight meal, or cooking for guests, this vibrant recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite.
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How do you cook salmon with citrus?
- Pat the salmon completely dry before seasoning to help the glaze adhere and promote even browning.
- Season with salt, pepper, and paprika, then place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Whisk together the lemon and orange zest, their juices, and olive oil to make a bright citrus glaze.
- Pour half over the salmon and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. If your salmon is thinner or in individual fillets, reduce the bake time to avoid overcooking.
- Toss sliced red onions with some of the remaining glaze and add them to the salmon, baking for another 10–15 minutes until it reaches 135°F internally.
- Finish by drizzling a fresh herb mixture of cilantro, parsley, and the last of the citrus oil over the top.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes after baking so the juices settle and the glaze finishes absorbing.
Don’t Forget To…
- Scroll down to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions and exact measurements.
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What to Serve with Citrus Salmon?
Some good side dishes for fish are roasted brussels sprouts, roasted sweet potatoes and brown rice. All of these dishes pair well with the sweet and tangy glaze on the salmon.
Absolutely. Citrus enhances salmon’s natural flavor, cuts through its richness, and adds freshness. Lemon, orange, lime, and even grapefruit all work well in glazes, marinades, and toppings.
Lemon juice brightens the flavor of salmon and helps balance its natural richness. Its acidity can also gently tenderize the fish, making each bite more delicate.
Yes. Orange adds a mild sweetness and subtle citrus aroma that complements salmon without overpowering it, creating a beautiful balance of savory and bright flavors.
Keeping the skin on helps the salmon stay moist and makes it easier to remove from the pan once cooked.
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OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer, Orange
Be sure to check out these great ideas that pair perfectly with your salmon.
- Herb Grilled Salmon brings out fresh, earthy notes that complement any citrus-based meal.
- Seafood Recipes offer endless inspiration for easy, flavorful dishes to add to your weekly menu.
Baked Citrus Salmon Recipe
Try this citrus salmon for a fresh, oven-baked meal bursting with flavor. Simple prep, vibrant glaze, and a perfectly tender finish every time.
Ingredients
- 3 lb Salmon can use individual filets
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Orange
- ⅓ cup Olive Oil or more as needed
- ½ Red Onion thin slices
- 2 Tablespoons Cilantro leaves chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley leaves chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Pat salmon fillet dry with paper towels.
- Place salmon skin side down on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Season salmon with salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside.
- To make the citrus salmon glaze, zest and juice the lemon and orange in a small bowl. Combine the orange juice and lemon juice with the olive oil. Pour half over the top of the salmon.
- Sprinkle the lemon and orange zest over the salmon, then place in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the sliced red onions in a bowl and toss with half of the remaining olive oil-juice mixture (about 2 Tablespoons).
- After 30 minutes, remove the salmon from the oven and sprinkle the onions overtop.
- Return salmon to oven and continue to bake for 10-15 extra minutes until the thickest part of the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 135F.
- Combine the last bit of the olive oil-juice mixture with the cilantro and parsley leaves.
- Once the salmon is done baking, drizzle the oil-herb mixture overtop.
Can’t wait to try these. Seafood recipes ‘!!! They sound wonderful??? Seafood is my very favorite meat !! When I lived in Pacific Northwest had never eaten it fresh !!
have wonderful fresh seafood !!! NOw I’ve got some new recipes. !!! Thanks. Varena Henry.