This delicious, Asian-inspired orange salmon bakes up in the oven in just 15 minutes, with an easy orange and soy sauce. A great weeknight meal!
When it comes to quick, easy and delicious dinner ideas, this oven baked, Asian-inspired orange salmon is always high on my list. As we are in the season of beautiful citrus, it’s the best time of year to enjoy it, as well. It is sure to brighten up even the dreariest Winter day.
If you are always looking for new and different ways to enjoy salmon, as I am, I think you’ll love the orange and Asian-inspired flavours here. It’s a great way to enjoy salmon or rainbow trout fillets and is a feast for the eyes as well as the palette.
Ready in just 15 minutes, this oven baked salmon makes a perfect weeknight meal.
I especially love that this dish cooks up completely in the oven, on one pan. And it’s ready in about 15 minutes! The easy orange soy sauce doesn’t need any pre-cooking. Simply mix it together and use it to baste/broil the fish at the end of cooking.
I love to add a few orange slices on top along with the sauce, for a really pretty presentation.
Ingredient Notes
Salmon or Trout: This recipe works equally well with either salmon or trout. I have actually used rainbow trout here. I’ve used the long, thin fillets here, but this recipe would also work nicely with the smaller, thicker salmon pieces, though the oven cooking time will be a little longer.
Oranges: You can use any kind of orange you like or have on hand. I’ve used Cara Cara oranges here. If you’d like orange slices on top, you’ll need 2 medium oranges – one for juicing for the sauce and another to use for the slices.
While it’s hard to compete with fresh-squeezed orange juice for flavour, if you don’t have any fresh oranges on hand, orange juice (from concentrate) could be used for the sauce.
Sriracha: If you’d like a touch of heat in your sauce, add a splash of Sriracha to the sauce, to taste.
Cook’s Notes
I used to reduce down this sauce in a saucepan on the stove-top, but I’ve found I can achieve the same results (and save dirtying another pot) by using the oven to do the reducing for me. If you prefer, you can go the stove-top route. Simply bring the sauce ingredients to a boil, then simmer over low heat to reduce while the fish is in the oven. Then just brush on the reduced sauce to in the last few minutes of baking.
The sauce, as written, isn’t thick, but more of a basting sauce. If you’d like a thick sauce, go the stove-top route. To thicken, mix up a a mixture of 1 Tbsp cold water mixed with 2 tsp of cornstarch and add a bit at a time to your simmering sauce near the end of cooking, until it thickens to the point you’re after.
If you are not a fan of the fish skin, it’s very easy to leave it behind on the pan when serving. Simply slide a spatula between the fish and the skin and lift off. It’s won’t be as pretty when you’re done (it will break into pieces), but you won’t have any skin on your plate. Of course, you could also plate your fish with the skin and simply eat the fish part, as it separates easily from the skin.
Be sure your oven rack is not too close to the broiling element while broiling, as it’s much easier to control the heat/cooking from a distance. If your broiler has a Hi and Low setting, start with the Hi setting. You can always turn it down if it seems too hot.
Top Tip: For skin-on salmon or trout fillets, be sure to grease your baking pan well with oil before baking, so the skin crisps up and doesn’t stick to the pan. It also makes clean-up easier.
What to serve with Asian Orange Salmon
This dish is lovely with a simple vegetable side, such as asparagus, broccoli (or broccolini) or green beans. You could do an easy side-salad, as well. If you want to add a carb, a bit of rice or something like coconut rice would be perfect.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Asian Orange Salmon (or Trout)
Ingredients
- 2 salmon or trout fillets, long, thin skin-on fillets or *See Notes
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 medium orange, sliced, for topping
Sauce:
- 4 Tbsp orange juice, freshly squeezed recommended
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Splash of Sriracha, optional, if you'd like a touch of heat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F., with the oven rack in the centre of the oven.
- Add a little olive or cooking oil onto a baking sheet and use a brush to evenly coat the bottom of the baking sheet. Set aside.
- Pat the salmon or trout fillets dry with paper towel. Brush the top of the salmon lightly with olive oil, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Lay the fillets onto the prepared baking sheet, skin side down.
- Make the sauce by stirring together all the sauce ingredients. Set aside until needed.
- *Note: Baking time will vary depending on the size/thickness of your fish. Your first baking period should produce a fish that is cooked/lighter coloured on the outside, but still not quite cooked through the thickest part. Extend your baking time if needed.When oven is preheated, place the salmon into the oven and roast for 10 minutes. (Fish should be cooked-looking on the outside edges with the thicker middle still a little pink at this point). Remove from oven and baste the fish generously with some of the sauce and place a few orange slices on top, if desired. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. (Fish should be evenly coloured at this point.
- Remove fish from oven and again baste generously. Switch the oven from the Bake setting to the Broil setting (use the "Hi" setting if your oven has both Hi and Lo). Return the fish to the oven to the same middle oven rack and broil for 1 minute. Baste again and broil for another 1-2 minutes. Watch closely so the sauce doesn't begin to scorch, as that will introduce a bitter taste to the sauce.
- Remove from oven and spoon any sauce that may be in the pan over-top of the salmon. Serve immediately.
Notes
More baked salmon recipes you might like …
About to try this but can’t find in the recipe where it says when to apply the orange slices? Is it before or after basting? Thank you!
The orange slices are added at the end of Step 5 of the instructions, after the first baking.
We eat a lot of fish. I am always looking for something different to prepare. This one is so, so delicious will become a family favorite. The sauce is just spectacular. Thank you Jennifer.
So glad you enjoyed it, Liliana :) Thanks so much!
Off to market we will go in the morning. Just today was wondering what to do with the half dozen oranges I have in the bowl and nobody eating them…making this next up. Looks so good and I’ll bet tastes even better. Will buy salmon.
Do enjoy, Pat! I think you’ll enjoy the bright citrus flavours this time of year :)
Tried this salmon dish for dinner tonight 10 out of 10 was a 10 whole family enjoyed. We will definitely be doing this one again.
So glad to hear :) Thanks so much!
my whole family loved it! thanks so much for sharing this recipe! will be doing this more often… it’s so simple but tastes so wonderful! God bless!
So glad to hear, Lyn :) Thanks so much!
I have to say, I tried this tonight with steelhead trout and it was SPECTACULAR. The sauce is to die for and the fish was melt in your mouth delicious. I didn’t have any fresh oranges on hand so I used orange juice and no orange slices, and garnished with dried parsley flakes. YUM! Thank you for this recipe, can’t wait to try doubling it and using it for a dinner party.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much :)
This looks spectacular. Salmon is a favorite around here, especially with an Asian twist. And the lovely orange makes it so seasonal. Bravo! I love everything about this dish
Thanks so much, Chris :)
Such a gorgeous presentation and so tasty! The citrus definitely brightens up any winter day. Gotta give this one a try soon, Jennifer :) Pinned! Happy Monday to ya!
Thanks so much Dawn! Hope you all are well in NFLD. Unbelievable! Thinking about you there :)
Love how quickly this recipe comes together! My husband and I both agree on salmon so I’ll have to add this one to the dinner rotation to try!
Thanks Leanne and yes, it’s great when everyone agrees :)
OMG Jennifer! I want to reach into my screen and grab this salmon! Your photos are simply mouthwatering! Can’t wait to try this at home!
Thanks Mary Ann!
I know what dinner is, tonight!! This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Annie :)
This is very well-timed, I’m making my weekly grocery list. I love the flavours, but I’m impressed with the prep and cook time. Easily a weeknight meal that I can see become a family favourite.
Thanks Matt and yes, it’s a go-to dish for me, when I’m looking for tasty, but easy :)
I eat salmon at least twice a week, and you better bet this recipe will be happening in my kitchen soon!!! This looks absolutely delicious! I love the Asian flavors paired with the fresh orange!!! And, this is so beautiful it would be excellent for entertaining too!!!
Thanks Cheyanne and yes, would be perfect for entertaining, too :)
Yes, yes and yes! I am making this as soon as I get to the store for some salmon. Thank you so much for this delicious dinner inspiration. BRAVO!
Thanks Tricia! Enjoy :)