There’s something magical about the combination of tart cranberries and bright citrus paired with rich, flaky salmon. This Holiday Cranberry Orange Glazed Salmon transforms a simple fish dinner into an elegant centerpiece worthy of your most special celebrations. The sweet and tangy glaze caramelizes beautifully as it bakes, creating a stunning ruby-red coating that tastes even better than it looks. Whether you’re planning a festive dinner party or simply want to elevate your weeknight meal, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The flavors are bold yet balanced, and the presentation is guaranteed to impress your guests.
Serving Quantity: 4 servings
Cooking Time: 25 minutes (plus 10 minutes prep time)
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 340
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 420mg
1. Gather Your Ingredients
For the salmon:
- Four 6-ounce salmon fillets with skin on
- Two tablespoons olive oil
- Quarter teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For the cranberry orange glaze:
- One cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- Half cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- Zest of one orange
- Three tablespoons honey
- Two tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- One tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Two garlic cloves, minced
- Half teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- Quarter teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
For garnish:
- Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs
- Orange slices (optional)
2. Prepare the Cranberry Orange Glaze
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, honey, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cranberries will begin to pop and break down, releasing their natural juices. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and reduces by about one third. It should coat the back of a spoon nicely. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Prepare the Salmon
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the glaze stick better and ensures crispy skin. Place the fillets skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon and use your hands or a brush to coat each fillet evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Apply the Glaze
Using a spoon or pastry brush, generously coat the top of each salmon fillet with the cranberry orange glaze. Reserve about one third of the glaze for serving later. Make sure to get a good amount of the cranberry pieces on each fillet as they add wonderful bursts of flavor. The glaze should be thick enough to cling to the fish without dripping off completely.
5. Bake the Salmon
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. About halfway through cooking, you can brush on a little more glaze if desired for extra flavor and a deeper color. Be careful not to overcook the salmon as it can become dry.
6. Rest and Serve
Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the fish. Transfer each fillet to a serving plate using a spatula, being careful to keep the beautiful glaze intact. Drizzle the reserved cranberry orange glaze over the top and around the plate. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs and orange slices if using.
7. Serving Suggestions
This glazed salmon pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, green beans, or asparagus. You can also serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes, wild rice pilaf, or a simple arugula salad with a light vinaigrette. The sweetness of the glaze is complemented nicely by savory or earthy side dishes. For an extra festive presentation, arrange the salmon on a platter with scattered fresh cranberries and orange slices around it.
Tips for Perfect Results
- Choose salmon fillets that are similar in thickness so they cook evenly. If you can only find thinner or thicker pieces, adjust your cooking time accordingly.
- Fresh cranberries work best for this recipe, but frozen cranberries are a great alternative and don’t need to be thawed before using.
- If your glaze becomes too thick while it sits, simply warm it gently with a tablespoon of water or orange juice to thin it out.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- The salmon can be prepared ahead of time and glazed just before baking, making it perfect for entertaining.
- Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat gently in the oven.
- The glaze also makes a fantastic topping for chicken or pork if you want to experiment with other proteins.
- For the best flavor, use wild-caught salmon rather than farm-raised when possible.
- If you prefer a smoother glaze, you can blend it briefly with an immersion blender after cooking, though leaving the cranberries whole adds nice texture.
- Don’t skip the resting time after baking as it helps the salmon stay moist and makes it easier to serve without falling apart.
