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Baked Citrus Salmon Recipe

This easy citrus salmon recipe is packed with bright citrus flavors and perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.

Citrus Glazed Salmon is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal! Packed with flavor from fresh citrus, this is one of those great recipes that will become a new favorite in your household. 

The end result is a flaky, moist salmon with a zesty flavor that will be sure to impress your dinner guests. The citrusy flavors of the orange and lemon give the salmon a wonderfully fresh taste.

This salmon recipe is a healthy and easy way to get your seafood fix. The bright flavors of the citrus will liven up any meal from special occasions to busy weeknights.

citrus salmon

See Also: Herb Grilled Salmon | The Best Seafood Recipes | Crab Stuffed Flounder Recipe

How to Make Citrus Glazed Salmon 

Ingredients:

  • 3lb Salmon (can use individual filets)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 Lemon
  • 1 Orange
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil, or more as needed
  • 1/2 Red Onion, thin slices
  • 2 Tablespoons Cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Parsley leaves, chopped

Directions:

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.

salmon

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.

citrus salmon

Serve leftover citrus salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Makes approximately 8 servings.

What to Serve with Citrus Salmon?

Some good side dishes for citrus glazed salmon 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.

citrus salmon
When is Salmon Done Cooking?

The best way to know if salmon is done cooking is to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another way to know if salmon is cooked through is to flake it with a fork – if it flakes easily, it’s done. Keep in mind that overcooked salmon will taste dry and rubbery, so cook it just until it’s cooked through but still moist and juicy.

How to choose salmon filets?

The filet should be firm and spring back when touched. 
Skin color can vary depending on the type of salmon, but it should be a bright orange or pink.
Avoid any filets with excessive moisture, which can indicate that the fish has been previously frozen or that it’s not fresh.
If the filet has a strong fishy smell, it’s probably not fresh.

citrus salmon

Baked Citrus Salmon Recipe

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
This easy citrus salmon recipe is packed with bright citrus flavors and perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

  • 3lb Salmon (can use individual filets)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 Lemon
  • 1 Orange
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil, or more as needed
  • 1/2 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.

Notes

Serve leftover citrus salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

When is Salmon Done Cooking?

The best way to know if salmon is done cooking is to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer. Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another way to know if salmon is cooked through is to flake it with a fork - if it flakes easily, it's done. Keep in mind that overcooked salmon will taste dry and rubbery, so cook it just until it's cooked through but still moist and juicy.

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