This Citrus & Honey Baked Salmon is jam packed with savory, sweet and sour flavors. Only 11 ingredients and ready (from prep to finish) in just 30 minutes, this salmon isn’t just delicious and elegant, it is also SO easy!
*Updated*
This post was originally published in February 2017. I made edits to the photos and added a RECIPE VIDEO to show you how easy this is to make! However, the actual story and written words below in this post remain the same.
Well heeeeeeey there, friends! Happy Monday, better known as THE Monday over 1.5 million people will call in sick.
OUR LATEST VIDEOSWait… are you playing hooky right now?! I promise your secret is safe with me!
Soooo, did you party it up Super Bowl style yesterday or what?
I’ll be honest, I’m not exactly sure what that type of partying should look like anymore, because I’m rather old and slightly anti-social, but I’m fairly certain it should include, but not be limited to, the following:
Yelling at the TV (and quite possibly your friends if they are rooting for the other team)
Fist bumping (or perhaps wall bumping depending on how much you have done the next thing…)
Drinking. Lots and lots of drinking.
Stuffing your face with ALL the things humanly possible. Wings. Sliders. Pizza. Dozens of dips.
If you did all those things, plus more, on Super Bowl Sunday, I’m going to go ahead and take an educated guess that you’re feeling less than stellar today. And I feel your pain.
Well, not really because I didn’t behave like an animal yesterday. 😉
But, just so you know, I AM on team “this Monday should be a national holiday”.
High five. Just point me in the right direction to the petition and I will sign away.
Anyways, I’ll stop my rambling and keep things moving today, because I’m 99.99999% sure at least half of you are hung over.
Since the super bowl is now over we can OFFICIALLY move on to Valentine’s Day!
WAHOOOOOOO!
And today I have a SUPER easy, yet tres ELEGANT dish that is absolutely PERFECT for your valentine.
Easy Citrus & Honey Baked Salmon
AKA my favorite roasted salmon to date.
Seriously, you guys, this citrus salmon is AMAZING.
Succulent, mild, melt-in-your mouth tender roasted salmon coated in a citrusy, honey sweet sauce. Served on a bed on subtly sweet, shredded fennel, spicy chiles, earthy thyme, and thinly sliced blood oranges and lemons, then topped with fresh micro greens.
This baked salmon is like WHOA.
#SymphonyOfScrumptiousness
This citrus salmon is so simple to make, yet jam PACKED with flavor.
Oh, and it’s healthy to boot!
Fist bumps for winning at LIFE. Or, at the very least, winning at dinner.
How to make Citrus Salmon?
Legit, this salmon could NOT be any easier to prepare… well, unless you ate it raw.
First you are going to make the marinade which doubles as a sauce by whisking together some honey, orange and lemon juice, chili powder and cumin. Pour a few tablespoons of the marinade into a small ramekin and reserve as the sauce. Transfer the rest to a large Ziploc bag and add the salmon. Set the salmon aside and let the flavors marry.
Add the slices of fennel, citrus, chiles and sprigs of thyme to a 9×13’’ baking dish, toss with a bit of oil, and season with salt and pepper. Spread it out to form a “bed” for the salmon. Place the salmon on top and brush with the excess marinade.
Transfer the dish to the oven and bake until the salmon is cooked to your liking (check out note #2 below).
Drizzle with the reserved sauce and garnish with desired toppings.
Take a bow. Or a curtsey if you’re feeling fancy.
You have just 5 starred some salmon. Double high fives.
What goes with citrus salmon?
This roasted honey citrus salmon recipe is accompanied by roasted oranges and fennel, however if you are looking for more side options, I’ve listed some delicious pairings below:
- Roasted bell peppers
- Green beans
- Couscous
- Rice
- Quinoa
How to tell when salmon is done? How long do I bake salmon?
The USDA recommends you cook salmon to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F, which is medium (on a scale of rare to well done).
The exact amount of time salmon will need to roast, or bake, in the oven depends on the thickness of your salmon. Measuring from the thickest part of the salmon, calculate a roast time of 4-8 minutes for every 1/2” of salmon. A 4-5 minute roast time per 1/2” will give you salmon that is on the medium-rare side, and 7-8 minutes will give you salmon that is medium-well.
If you don’t have an instant-read thermometer, you can also tell when the salmon is done by touch. Salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork.
Tips & Tricks for the best Citrus Salmon Recipe:
- You can either use one whole filet of salmon or you can use individual salmon filets. I used one (1 ½ #) center cut filet, because I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing, but if you are serving your family, I would use 4 (6 ounce) filets. If it’s just you and your S.O, you can scale a filet of salmon up or down.
- The cooking time for the honey baked salmon recipe below is approximate. It will really depend on how thick your salmon is and your desired doneness.
- If you want a crisper top on your salmon, I recommend you broil it for the last few minutes of cooking. Once the salmon is almost cooked to your desired level of doneness, switch the oven to high broil and broil, watching it CAREFULLY, until the top of the salmon is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- If you are buying the fennel whole and thinly slicing it yourself, you can reserve the fronds and use them as a garnish.
- If you don’t like red chiles, can’t find them, or simply don’t want to use them, you can substitute crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- While salmon is best if enjoyed immediately, leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. They can be gently reheated in the microwave or eaten cold (I recommend the latter).
Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough for Valentine’s Day dinner, this Citrus & Honey Baked Salmon is guaranteed to please! Give your loved ones the 5 star treatment and add this dish to your menu TODAY.
Until Thursday friends, cheers – to easy elegance.
XOXO
Cheyanne
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The best Citrus & Honey Baked Salmon Recipe and step-by-step Video👇
This Citrus & Honey Roasted Salmon is jam packed with savory, sweet and sour flavors. Only 11 ingredients and ready (from prep to finish) in just 30 minutes, this salmon isn't just delicious and elegant, it is also SO easy!
- 1 medium Fennel Bulb – thinly sliced*
- 1 Blood Orange – thinly sliced & seeds removed
- 1 Meyer (or regular) Lemon – thinly sliced & seeds removed
- 4 Sprigs Thyme
- 1 Red Chile or Serrano Chile – thinly sliced
- 4 (6 ounce) Salmon Filets , skin on (preferably center cut)*
- 1/4 cup + 1 TBS Honey , divided
- 3 TBS Orange Juice
- 3 TBS Lemon Juice
- ½ tsp each: Chili Powder, Cumin
- 3 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil , divided
- Sea Salt, Ground Black Pepper , to taste
- Optional Garnishes & Serving: Micro Greens, Scallions, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Arugula
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13’’ pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of honey, orange juice, lemon juice, chili powder and cumin. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the mixture and set aside to use as a sauce. Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the marinade and whisk together. Place the salmon in a large Ziploc bag and pour on the citrus-honey marinade. Transfer to the refrigerator and let marinate for 20 minutes.*
- Meanwhile, thinly slice the fennel, orange, lemon and chile. Be sure to remove and discard the seeds from the citrus.
- Toss the fennel, orange slices, lemon slices, thyme, and chile in the pan. Toss with 1 tablespoon of oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Spread the fennel mixture out across the prepared pan to create a “bed” for the salmon.
- Remove the salmon from the bag and place it, skin side down, on top of the fennel mixture. Use a pastry brush to apply the excess honey mixture to the tops of the salmon. Season generously with sea salt and pepper.
- Roast the salmon in the oven for 15-25 minutes*, or until fish is cooked and flakes easily with a fork. Meanwhile, add the remaining tablespoon of honey to the reserved sauce and whisk to combine.
Remove from salmon from the oven, drizzle with reserved citrus-honey sauce and top with desired garnishes. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
- You can either use one whole filet of salmon or you can use individual salmon filets. I used one (1 ½ #) center cut filet, because I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing, but if you are serving your family, I would use 4 (6 ounce) filets. If it’s just you and your S.O, you can scale a filet of salmon up or down.
- The cooking time in the recipe below is approximate. It will really depend on how thick your salmon is and your desired doneness. Salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork.
- If you want a crisper top on your salmon, I recommend you broil it for the last few minutes of cooking. Once the salmon is almost cooked to your desired level of doneness, switch the oven to high broil and broil, watching it CAREFULLY, until the top of the salmon is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- If you are buying the fennel whole and thinly slicing it yourself, you can reserve the fronds and use them as a garnish.
- If you don’t like red chiles, can’t find them, or simply don’t want to use them, you can substitute crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- While salmon is best if enjoyed immediately, leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. They can be gently reheated in the microwave or eaten cold (I recommend the latter).
©No Spoon Necessary. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe please do not list instructions, instead link directly back to this post.
Elegant and easy? I’m in! I’ll come running to the table just to look at it, let alone eat it! This is a super dish, my friend! And about the game…Yep, I was up ’til the historic end! That was some good football, right there! Hoping your week is wonderful, Chey! Cheers! <3
LOL. What a day! Wish we could call in hooky today, but we both work from home so… that might not be as fun. Haha. Hey, your guess as to what partying consists of is as good as mine. 😉 I do like the idea of much fist-bumping plus lots of drinking and animated yelling. Sounds lively! Wahooo for V-Day! Especially since I know you’ve got lots of amazing treats in store for us all. Can’t believe this dish takes only 30 mins from prep to finish. No one would guess that from how amazing this looks! Also, WOAH on that photo with the brush. OMG. Have I mentioned before how much I love your photography and artistry and genius at everything? Oh wait, I have. Who cares, I’ll say it till I’ve got no breath left! Love this, Chey. Hope things are going along swimmingly. Muah! xoxo
Haha, it should be a national holiday! I’m not hung over, but we did have a good time watching the game last night – turned out better than I expected – and I’d be more than happy to have the day off today! But onward we go and yes, Valentine’s Day is coming right up. Salmon is my favorite fish and this looks divine! All that citrus is just gorgeous and I know the flavor must be outstanding. I am pinning and this is going on the menu soon! Have a great week! XO
That looks like a dinner for the queen, Cheyanne. All those fresh flavours are simply amazing!
I heard that so many people call in sick today…crazy! I mean, I get it, but since I’m not a football fan, it doesn’t really affect me whatsoever. I’m definitely not the superbowl party type either, so luckily my husband and I stayed home and I only tuned in for the commercials and half-time show. But I am seriously intrigued by this salmon! We eat salmon quite often in our house, and I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. Love the honey and citrus combo, Cheyanne! Looks so pretty, too! Pinned of course! Hope your week is off to a great start!
I SO wish today was a national holiday! Almost everyone is doing something the day before, and especially for us East Coasters, the night ends late! Although this morning I didn’t mind that there was no traffic…anyways, I actually am one of those people who loves Valentine’s day so I love this recipe! I’m always looking for good date night meals!
Bahahaha….hungover!!! Well, I’m not hungover, but I definitely did watch the super bowl and did have delicious eats (which I’m all about). It’s a snow storm here today and total white out conditions so, ugh! Plus, it is Monday. And I am tired. I wish it were a holiday. High five for that! Buuut, this citrus salmon would brighten any day! I’ve been totally in the mood for salmon lately and decided to only eat wild and this would be so delicious right now, Pretty and tasty =winner! Pinning! Have a fab week, girlie! xo
Such a perfect dish! Easy, sexy and flavourful. And yes, I do have a Super Bowl hangover today. Not of the alcohol kind, just of the “that was a long day” kind 🙂
So as you know I am slowlyyyy coming around to salmon but have yet to try making it myself! I am loving this citrus honey combo! It sounds fantastic! Ha – while there really wasn’t any partying last night at our house I wouldn’t mind today being a national holiday!! 🙂
I did not watch the game – but I won the half time pool that we had a work – so the Super Bowl was a winner for me :)! I’m sending my mom this recipe, Cheyanne – she loves salmon – and this recipe is a winner too. Love the gorgeous citrus in there!
We watched the game and had a nice little quiet party at home Chey! It was perfect!
I totally love the flavors in this dish! Sounds so light and refreshing. Perhaps I can talk Tom into making it for me for Valentine’s Day?! Doesn’t look too hard at all! I think he could totally manage it! Have a great week! XO
I have the day off today…not from calling in sick, but from school being cancelled! Yep!!! We have a snow day!!! It’s too bad we didn’t get the call till this morning, but….Hey…I’ll take it! Love this salmon! It is very elegant and looks perfect for Valentine’s Day! Have a good week! 🙂
This citrus honey roasted salmon platter looks like a beautiful and delicious. Plus, savory, sweet and sour flavors are my favorite — so I can tell I would love this. And this would surely make a great dinner for Valentine’s Day. Those citrusy flavors and bright shiny colors are making me feel, as it is summer already. Thanks to you making me feel fresh, girl! 🙂
I work from home, but I canceled my therapy appointment and made sure to sleep in. I’ll make up the hours tonight. My Super Bowl party kicked my booty. I’m heading to LA next weekend, and even though it only going to be 70 degrees, Mama’s going on a little clean eating binge to make sure I look hot to trot. So I’ll be devouring lots of salmon, fruits, and veggies this week. It sounds like you already knew that because this citrus honey roasted salmon looks perfect for dinner tonight.
Dude, that game was NUTS! And I’m not sure why we continue to have the Super Bowl on Sundays! Why can’t it be on Saturday and then we all get a free day to recover? I actually legit took a vacation day today, so no need for secrets over here. I really wish I had planned this delicious salmon for dinner tonight to balance out all that bad stuff I did last night. 🙂
We love salmon and now have a new way to prepare it! Thanks Cheyanne !!
I didn’t get out of control yesterday but I did have a great time…and gosh I loved that halftime show! I’m ready to think about healthy delicious food now and this salmon is something I would make day in and day out. I love the citrus flavors and the honey — YES! This is such a gorgeous dish Cheyanne and it would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. I’m making this very soon!
Oh, that looks beautiful, I like everything about this recipe, from the pictures to the ingredients, I can imagine how good this tastes.
I’m not really sure what partying is supposed to look like either. At this point in my life I kind of just want a drinking tea while playing with puppies and kittens party. Haha. But if pizza is involved you best believe I’ll be at that party, even if I am just standing in the corner.
This salmon looks so classy and sophisticated. Wonderful! The lemon/orange/honey combo is giving me hunger pains.
Girl it does look PERFECT!! I don’t think I would mind eating this for Valentines dinner if my husband makes this for me;) These days I go to bed by 10 so I am seriously in old people’s category lol!
Oh well, I’ve been begging you to sign this petition for over a year, and finally you hear my pain. Mondays have to be a statutory holiday although there’s nothing to celebrate here. And I think Wednesdays too. And of course this scrumptious and I don’t afraid to say – fancy – is the great way to celebrate many things (even Mondays).
Always up for a new salmon recipe and this one looks so damn good. Dig the fennel and all that citrus goodness. Thanks Chey!
Party party party! Well, I doubt you are antisocial, you are too funny to not share those jokes and incredible food with the world. Our party consisted of our neighbor throwing up during half-time, and my oven turning off while half-baked nachos were in the works. But it is ok, this legit salad made me smile, and all the superbowl madness has slipped away. I love citrus and I love salmon – beautiful combo. Nice work!
This salmon looks super delicious! Love the sweet and savory combination! Now, after Super Bowl, I’ll definitely make some healthier dishes! Pinning to try it!
I didn’t watch the Super Bowl (gasp, I know) so it was back to work for me as usual :-). Loving this salmon with citrus and fennel!! I always love a good salmon recipe and this makes the list. Take care.
Salmon, fennel, blood orange, and chilies?? Yes, yes, yes, and yes PLEASE!!! I could (and sometimes do) eat salmon every day for my weekday lunches. Love it so much. Gotta make this soon!
p.s: you are smart staying home and not going celebrating the Super Bowl cos the only thing I got from doing that was a hangover and the flu! BOOOOOOOOO! 😉
I hope you curtsied all the way to the table for this beauty! Gorgeous offering and great video! Cheers! XO
I remember this one Chey! Perfect use for that winter citrus, which I can’t seem to get enough of right now. Tom and I are trying to healthy ourselves up this year, so this dish will be on our menu asap! Wish us luck, it’s been a tough road so far coming down off the holiday sweets binging! Hope you have an awesome week! XO
WOA – What Fantastic pictures! Gosh that salmon looks melt in ma mouf wonderful! So glad you reposted this one, Cheyenne! Happy Monday sweet friend! xoxo
It’s like you know that salmon is my very favorite fish, and that I LOVE it paired with citrus. I’m craving this right now like nothing else! And this post has me totally excited for the Super Bowl too :). Have a great week, Chey!
I don’t remember the original pictures to this post, but the new ones look phenomenal. Not to mention the salmon. Impeccably done!
Salmon is just the best fish. And these citrus flavors…well just yum. I love it. I have never been known myself to cook my salmon to 145 degrees. I’m sure that’s the safe way, but I like to live dangerously…LOL. I like it pretty rare. It’s also pretty handy that this recipe is healthy, because I’m still working to lose the holiday weight. If working means continuously cheating on my diet.
Citrus is being picked in our part of Florida now and your repost of this recipe is timely. I’ve pinned it.