Description

This Pan Fried Orange Salmon recipe offers a deliciously tangy and sweet glaze made from fresh orange juice, zest, honey, and soy sauce, perfectly complementing tender, flaky salmon fillets. The salmon is pan-seared to get a crisp skin and juicy interior, finished with an aromatic ginger-garlic sauce and a fresh herb garnish for an elegant, healthy meal ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon

4 fillets salmon (6 ounces each)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil

Orange Glaze

1/4 cup fresh orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a crisp sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
Heat the Pan: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot but not smoking.
Cook Salmon Skin-Side Down: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet carefully. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to achieve a crispy skin and cook most of the way through.
Flip and Finish Cooking: Gently flip the fillets with a spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until salmon reaches your preferred doneness. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic and ginger to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
Make Orange Glaze: Stir in fresh orange juice, orange zest, honey, and soy sauce. Let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reduces slightly and thickens into a glaze consistency.
Glaze the Salmon: Return salmon fillets to the pan, spoon the orange glaze over them, and cook for an additional minute to warm through and coat the fish in the sauce.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Optional: sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp skin and flavorful glaze.

Notes

Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor.
Adjust honey quantity to your preferred sweetness.
For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
Do not overcook salmon; it should flake easily but remain moist.
Garnishing with herbs adds freshness but can be omitted if unavailable.
This recipe pairs well with steamed rice or a light green salad.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 fillet (6 ounces)
Calories: 350
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: pan fried salmon, orange salmon glaze, quick salmon recipe, healthy salmon dinner, citrus salmon