This Blood Orange Salmon is such a vibrant and flavorful dish that has a sweet crusted salmon topped with a bright, fresh blood orange salsa. It’s a great meal for a special occasion, but easy enough for any day of the week!
This blood orange salsa salmon is one of the most delicious dishes I’ve ever made. It’s healthy, and easy to make, with fresh flavors, and an impressive presentation!
Have you tried a blood orange before? You can also call it a red orange, it is a variety of orange with a crimson red fleshed fruit. If you want to use regular oranges in this recipe, you can definitely do that too!
Why make this recipe
- Healthy and Nutritious: Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, topped with the blood orange pieces that are loaded with vitamins C and antioxidants, perfect when you want a healthy dinner choice.
- Fresh Flavor – The juicy blood orange salsa and flaky salmon pair so nicely for a zest and fresh flavor!
- Easy to Make – With only a few ingredients and straightforward instructions this dish can be made any day of the week, in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Blood Orange Salmon Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- blood orange – you’ll use the zest, the fruit, and the juice
- cilantro
- green onion
- parsley
- crushed red pepper flakes
- vegetable oil
- salmon fillets – grab the freshest salmon you can for the best flavor
- honey
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
How to make Blood Orange Salmon
Step 1: Make the salsa. Dice the orange into small pieces, add the zest, and juice to a bowl. Then mix in the cilantro, parsley, green onion, red pepper flakes, and vegetable oil.
Step 2: Sear the salmon. Heat a pan with olive oil, and add the salmon to the pan. Drizzle the tops with honey, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the salmon for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until you get a golden brown crust.
Step 3: Bake the salmon. Place the salmon on a baking pan and bake until the salmon is cooked throughout, and nice and flakey.
Step 4: Serve. Top the salmon with the fresh salsa and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks:
- Grill instead of bake – Grilling the salmon would add such a nice smoky flavor. Coat in the honey and salt and pepper and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side at medium high heat (375 F)
- Double the Recipe – This recipe serves 2 as is, you can easily double or triple the recipe as needed.
- Customize the Salsa – Add different ingredients to the salsa according to your taste preferences. Diced red onion or jalapenos would be delicious.
- Different Citrus – Instead of blood oranges, try regular oranges, mandarins, or even grapefruit for different flavors.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store the salsa in a separate container for the same amount of time. Reheat the salmon in the oven, then top with the salsa. Or enjoy it cold, plain or on a fresh salad.
This blood orange salmon is such a flavorful dish that is easy, and nutritious. It’s a beautiful dish that will impress guests, but quick enough for any day of the week – its sure to become a new family favorite!
More Seafood Recipes
- Tomato Basil Salmon
- Honey Lime Salmon
- Blackened Tilapia Recipe
- Macadamia Crusted Fish
- Lemon Butter Tilapia
If you make this Blood Orange Salmon, please leave a comment and 🌟 rating letting me know what you think! If you post the photo on Instagram, please tag me – I’d love to see what you’re making!
Blood Orange Salmon
Ingredients
For the Blood Orange Salsa:
- 1 blood orange
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 TBS cilantro (minced)
- 1 TBS flat parsley leaves (minced)
- 1 green onion (minced, use the white and green)
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
For the Honey Crusted Salmon:
- 2 TBS olive oil
- 2 fillets salmon
- 1 tsp Kosher salt (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp pepper (to taste)
- 2 TBS honey
Instructions
For the Blood Orange Salsa:
- Zest the Orange, and set the zest aside. Cut the orange in half and juice one half of the orange, place it in a bowl. Peel the other half of the orange and cut it into small pieces. 1 blood orange
- Add the orange pieces, zest, and juice to a small bowl. Add in the olive oil, cilantro, green parsley, green onion, and red pepper flakes. 1 TBS olive oil , 1 TBS cilantro, 1 TBS flat parsley leaves, 1 green onion, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Gently mix together, and place in the fridge until ready to use.
For the Honey Crusted Salmon:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit..
- Heat an oven safe cast iron pan on the stove over medium high heat. Add the olive oil to the pan. 2 TBS olive oil
- Salt and pepper the salmon fillets. 2 fillets salmon, 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
- Add the fillets to the cast iron pan.
- Drizzle honey over the top of both. 2 TBS honey
- Sear one side (about 1 to 2 minutes) until a golden brown crust forms , turn over and sear the other side.
- Place in the preheated oven to bake for 8 to 12 minutes, until salmon is cooked thoroughly – flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and serve with the salsa on top.
Notes
- Grill instead of bake – Grilling the salmon would add such a nice smoky flavor. Coat in the honey and salt and pepper and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side at medium high heat (375 F)
- Double the Recipe – This recipe serves 2 as is, you can easily double or triple the recipe as needed.
- Customize the Salsa – Add different ingredients to the salsa according to your taste preferences. Diced red onion or jalapenos would be delicious.
- Different Citrus – Instead of blood oranges, try regular oranges, mandarins, or even grapefruit for different flavors.
Nutrition
This Blood Orange Salmon was first posted on February 15, 2015. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on May 31, 2024.
Letty Barba says
*Just* finished eating my plate of this! Everyone went nuts over it! So delicious, went great with some quinoa. Thanks!
Ellen Garrett says
Oh,what a great side to it with quinoa. I am so glad you liked it so much.
martha@ simple-nourished-living says
Hi Ellen,
This looks delicious. My husband and I love salmon so I’m always looking for new ways to prepare it. The blood orange salsa looks like a wonderful addition. Plan on trying this soon. It was so nice to meet you at the Build Your Blog Conference today.
Ellen Garrett says
Martha,I am really glad I got to met you too. I hope the BYBC was a good experience for you, I know it was for me. It not for only the opportunity to meet new faces and friends. I hope you enjoy the dish, it is one of my new favorites.
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Oooh, this sounds so healthy and refreshing! I love citrus + salmon so I know I’d love this blood orange salsa 😉
Ellen Garrett says
If you love those combinations you will definitely love these two together. I did feel healthier just eating it. 🙂
sue buczak says
I do not have a cast iron pan……guess I need to buy one
Ellen Garrett says
Although it is wonderful to have my cast iron pan and yes, with one things cook a little differently you can make this recipe without one. Either use a pan that is also oven safe or transfer the salmon to an oven safe dish after searing it. I hope that helps. But it is also nice to have a new cooking pan and an excuse to get one. 😉
Lydia @ Suitcase Foodist says
Love blood oranges. I had a blood orange curd recently – it was a lovely pink-orange color and delicious!
Ellen Garrett says
Blood orange curd would be lovely, I am looking forward to trying your lime curd.