Salmon Fillets Beautifully Caramelize in a Pan for an Easy Weeknight Dish.
The Zesty Orange-Chipotle Glaze doubles as a marinade – less work for you!
It’s Citrus Season and oranges are bursting with juicy flavor!
The Flavors:
- Rich citrus orange flavor from the Freshly Squeezed Juice and Orange Rind
- Smoky essence from the Chipotle Peppers and their Adobe Sauce (chipotles are red jalapeños that have been smoked)
- Added sweetness from Raw Honey… but not too sweet!
- Garlic provides agreeable heat with a pungent-spicy flavor
- Coconut Aminos offers a sweet soy kind of taste, that is less salty than soy sauce
- Red Chile Flakes offer an extra layer of heat… but honestly, I like the pinch of color
Orange-Chipotle Honey Glazed Salmon
I like to make 4 pieces and have extra the next day cold over a salad.
You will love this Quick Weeknight Salmon dish – special enough for company!
The Method:
- Make the Marinade-Glaze. Some used to marinate the fish, the remainder will be the glaze on top… that’s easy!
- Cook the salmon flesh side down in a cast iron skillet (the one I use and love) or stick-proof skillet until beautifully caramelized and somewhat blackened
- Turn over the fish and cover just for a few minutes until cooked through – use a meat thermometer (the one I use!) to check the perfect doneness – 160 degrees; medium rare
- To Serve: top with the remaining Orange-Choptle Honey Glaze and enjoy!
Use Simple Ingredients: Fresh Orange juice, Chipotle Peppers and Adobo Sauce (from a can), raw honey, garlic, coconut aminos and red pepper flakes.
Cook in an 8 inch skillet… I’m using my vintage Cathrinholm one.
The key to the recipe!
~ Add marinated salmon flesh side down in the hot skillet, let caramelize, then turn over.
Salmon is a nutrient-packed food that promotes your health in a variety of ways packed with essential packed with omega-3 fatty acids.
Low in calories, high in protein, Vitamin B12, antioxodants and Vitamin D.
While I enjoy eating salmon, I also add many vegetables to the plate… usually half the plate is vegetables!
Nice garnishes would be thyme sprigs or chives… or even fresh mint or basil sprigs.
You’ll make this recipe again & again!
Enjoy!
Karen
Also see: Salmon in Parchment with Multi-Citrus Salsa
Want more Citrus Flavor? See all of my: Zesty Citrus Recipes
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Outrageous Orange-Chipotle Honey Glazed Salmon
Salmon Fillets Beautifully Caramelize in a Pan for an Easy Weeknight Dish. The Zesty Orange-Chipotle Glaze doubles as a marinade - less work for you!
Equipment
- 1 large skillet cast iron or stick-proof
Ingredients
- 1.75 pounds salmon fillet , cut into 4 even pieces
Orange- Chipotle Honey Marinade & Glaze:
- 2/3 cups fresh orange juice, (see note)
- 1/2 teaspoon canned chipotle peppers, chopped fine (more if you like super spicy)
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle adobe sauce, (from the can surrounding the peppers)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons raw honey, I use local
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, peeled and finely grated
- 1 teaspoon coconut aminos, (can use tamari sauce, but saltier)
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes, I use Sichuan type
Other Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil, such as safflower oil
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
Instructions
Make Orange-Chipotle Honey Marinade & Glaze:
- In a 8" sauté pan - add fresh orange juice, chipotles, adobe sauce, honey, garlic, coconut aminos and red chili flakes.Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer. Cook over low heat until thickened and almost reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.
- Wash and dry the salmon and cut into 4 even pieces; place on a plate skin side down to hold. Add 3 tablespoon of the marinade/glaze to the salmon and spread. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. The remainder will be the glaze.
- Heat a seasoned 15" cast iron skillet (or use a stick-proof one) over medium-high heat with 1 teaspoon of neutral oil.Add the marinated salmon Flesh Side Down (skin side up.)
- Cook until the flesh is has caramalized and somewhat blackened. Carefully tan over and LOWER the heat to low. Cover the pan and cook until salmon is cooked through and registers 160 degrees with a meat thermometer, about 3 minutes (depends on the thickness of the fish.)Remove from the pan, discard the skin.
To Serve:
- Plate the salmon and top with the remaining glaze and some sea salt.Garnish with fresh herbs; thyme, mint or basil leaves.
Notes
Orange Juice: Squeeze fresh & vibrant oranges such as mineola, clementine, navel or sumo oranges.
Neutral Oil: use an expeller pressed neutral oil (not chemically treated.)
Meat thermometer I use and love!
The BEST seasoned cast iron skillet I have owned for years. I serve the salmon with rice pilaf and sautéed baby boy choy. This recipe may not be reproduced without the consent of its author, Karen Sheer.
The BEST seasoned cast iron skillet I have owned for years. I serve the salmon with rice pilaf and sautéed baby boy choy. This recipe may not be reproduced without the consent of its author, Karen Sheer.
Nutrition
Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 40gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 190mgPotassium: 1063mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @azestforlife or tag #azestforlife!
Another fabulous recipe that works wonderfully with salmon & dolphin (mahi), we tried both last night and the blend of tangy, smokey sweet heat was raved about by all. The Copper River King salmon was vacuum frozen, and the dolphin was fresh. The recipe was total seafood flavor enhancing!!!
Thank you Greg! I always appreciate a recipe comment from a bone fide fisherman!
Happy to hear you liked the smokey notes in the Orange-Chipotle Honey Marinade & Glaze. Salmon and Dolphin – love it! ?Karen
This recipe came out just wonderfully! Sounded interesting, a not the same old boring salmon. Was easy to make, subbed low salt soy for the aminos because that is what I had. Liked that some of the marinade is also the glaze, that added a lot to the dish. Will make a lot, shared the recipe too. Thanks!
Thank you for your review Aimee. So happy you loved this salmon recipe – and have shared it! Take care, 😀Karen