Crispy orange glazed salmon fillets are pan-friend in a delicious orange-honey garlic sauce and topped with some fresh rosemary. Add in the fact that this meal can be prepared in 15 minutes, makes it the perfect healthy weeknight choice.

When I say my family absolutely loves this salmon, I'm not exaggerating. We make it once a month.
- Nicki
Quick weeknight meals get me super excited. The fact that I can make a quick weeknight meal that is also healthy and tasty makes this salmon recipe at the top of my rotation list.
With salmon being one of the healthiest fish to eat, I use it quite often in recipes. This recipe is fairly similar to my honey garlic salmon, but uses oranges instead of lemons.
So if you are in the mood for one or the other, either is a great option. And if you love spices, you can't go wrong with this tandoori salmon.
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Why You Will Love This Salmon
- Versatile - Works well with various sides like rice, vegetables or salad for a complete meal.
- Healthy - Packed with omega-3s, antioxidants and wholesome ingredients.
- Easy - Perfect for busy weeknights, it comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
- Salmon - Opt for skin-on filets to help retain moisture and flavor during cooking. Wild-caught salmon offers a richer taste compared to farmed varieties.
- Olive oil - Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for its subtle flavor and health benefits.
- Garlic - Freshly minced garlic adds robust depth to the glaze.
- Rosemary - Provides an earthy, aromatic note that complements the citrus glaze
- Oranges - Choose freshly squeezed orange juice for vibrant flavor, as bottled varieties may lack brightness. You also use orange slices in the sauce.
- Honey - Balances the acidity of the orange juice and soy sauce while creating a glossy glaze.
- Soy sauce - Adds a savory, umami dimension to the glaze. Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended for better control of saltiness.
- Salt and black pepper - Enhances the flavor.
Ingredient Swaps
As with any recipe, you can change up the ingredients if need. Some substitutes include:
- Swap with rosemary with thyme, sage or parsley for a different herbaceous profile.
- Use maple syrup, agave nectar or brown sugar for sweetness with slight flavor differences from honey.
- Replace with the soy sauce tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a milder, less salty substitute.
How to Make Orange Glazed Salmon
Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.
Step 1: Stir together the orange juice, honey, soy sauce and orange zest in a liquid measuring cup.
Step 2: Season salmon with salt and pepper, cook 5 minutes in skillet on one side, then flip and cook 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add garlic, rosemary and oranges and cook 30 seconds.
Step 4: Deglaze with orange sauce. Cook 1 minute until salmon is done and sauce thickens.
Side Dish Options
There are plenty of side dish options when it comes to this salmon recipe. Some include:
Recipe FAQs
If possible always go with wild salmon as it's healthier than farmed salmon. The best types of salmon for pan-frying are coho, king, sockeye and spring.
Yes, thaw them completely in the refrigerator before cooking to ensure even cooking. I almost always use frozen salmon and though it out.
You can use whatever orange you want - from navel to cara cara to blood orange. For this particular recipe I happened to use some clementines I had in the fridge.
Fresh orange juice is preferred for its vibrant flavor, but bottled juice can be a quick substitute if necessary. Choose one without added sugar for better control over sweetness.
The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
It’s best served fresh, but you can prepare the glaze and marinate the salmon a few hours in advance. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Keys to Pan-Frying Salmom
It's much easier than you think, but it's important to use skin-on salmon. Add oil to a large skillet and increase heat to medium-high. You want it hot to get the skin crispy. Season the salmon with salt and pepper before adding the salmon skin-side down.
You'll want to fry for 4-5 minutes and then flip the salmon over to fry another minute or two to cook through. Please note if you can't flip the salmon, it means you need to cook it a little longer.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Ensure the skillet and oil are hot before adding the salmon to prevent sticking.
- Once salmon is added to the pan, cook undisturbed for 5 minutes so a nice crust forms. Plus if you try to flip the salmon too quickly, it will stick.
- Don't add garlic until right before you add orange/honey juice mixture so it doesn't burn.
- Monitor the sauce. The glaze can thicken quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Other Recommended Salmon Recipes
If you’ve tried this orange glazed salmon or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Orange Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz) salmon filets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 8 orange slices
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Add salmon to skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on one side. (If it's still stuck to pan, give it more time to cook)
- Flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Add garlic, rosemary and orange slices and cook for 30 seconds. Combine orange juice, honey, soy sauce and orange zest in small bowl and add to the pan to deglaze. Cook for another 1 minute or until salmon is cooked and sauce is thickened.
- Spoon sauce over salmon and serve immediately. Top with fresh rosemary if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the skillet and oil are hot before adding the salmon to prevent sticking.
- Once salmon is added to the pan, cook undisturbed for 5 minutes so a nice crust forms. Plus if you try to flip the salmon too quickly, it will stick.
- Don't add garlic until right before you add orange/honey juice mixture so it doesn't burn.
- Monitor the sauce. The glaze can thicken quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Chris says
Yummy!
Nicki says
When I say my family absolutely loves this salmon, I'm not exaggerating. We make it once a month.
Ryan says
Awesome to hear! We have it about once a month too!