Classic Holiday Honey Orange Salmon

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November is the perfect time to start planning your holiday meals. With Halloween behind you and Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and more ahead of us, it’s important to start preparations. What gatherings will you have, where and when will they take place and, our personal favorite question - what delicious meal will you eat this year?

Salmon for the Holidays

Salmon is a fantastic option for the holiday season for many reasons.

For starters, it’s a much lighter meal than a large roast or heavy meat dish. And while we can appreciate a good roast, lighter protein options like salmon are the perfect choice for those working on eating less and managing their calorie intake during the holidays.

Buying wild-caught salmon in bulk is a great way to serve these lighter meals as it offers you a convenient way to serve a premium quality meal to any size gathering in a pinch.

Looking for Thanksgiving dinner ideas for your smaller gathering this year? Snag a couple of fillets from the freezer and cook them with your favorite glaze for a fun, non-traditional Thanksgiving salmon.

Hosting the extended family for Christmas dinner? Take five fillets out to thaw that morning, dress them in a simple rub and bake for 12 - 15 minutes. A hassle-free way to serve up to twenty people!

Simply order a case of wild salmon, store it in the freezer and only cook what you need according to your head count. We suggest 2 to 4 servings per salmon fillet. Any extra fillets not used at that time can remain in your freezer until you are ready to use them for the next holiday on your calendar!

Another major reason we love serving salmon during the holidays is that it is an incredible source of nutrients like omega-3s, antioxidants, vitamins D & B and so much more. Nutrient-rich salmon can help improve your brain, heart, eye, skin, hair and bone health. A perfectly health-forward option for all ages!

If its convenience and health benefits weren’t enough to convince you to serve salmon this holiday season, we’re sure it’s incredible flavor will change your mind! Whether you’re preparing it with a simple sprinkle of lemon and dill or are creating a seasonal dish like this Orange Honey Glazed salmon recipe, wild-caught salmon offers an unparalleled flavor that’s hard to beat.

Feasting with Orange Salmon

Wild-caught salmon is naturally vibrant in color thanks to its ocean diet of shrimp and krill. And this red-orange hue doesn’t just make salmon look festive - it's also a tell tale sign of a flavorful experience, too!

Thanks to its completely natural life cycle, wild-caught salmon are free from any additives and offer a truly unmatched flavor that pale pink farmed salmon just can’t beat. Rich in taste but not too fishy, our wild sockeye blends well with a variety of fruits and vegetables, making something like an orange salmon recipe the perfect way to sneak even more nutritional goodness into your holiday meals.

Oranges pair particularly well with salmon thanks to its tart and citrusy flavor, which evens out the boldness of the salmon. Completing this orange glazed salmon dish by adding in a little sweet honey rounds out the flavors into a final sweet, citrusy and smokey result.

Because oranges usually start to ripen in the wintertime, they tend to make a reappearance in our cooking here in the US around November.

The symbolism of oranges in our holidays also stems back to one of the most popular origin legends of Christmas stockings. One where St. Nicholas (Santa Claus), was said to secretly leave a poor and proud villager gold coins inside the socks of his 3 daughters. The socks were hanging on the fireplace to dry, and the gold was to be used for them to afford wedding attire. 

Through the years, the tradition was imitated by leaving a brightly colored and luxurious fruit alternative in a stocking: an orange!

And while stockings are usually a Christmastime activity, the delicious combination of a festive colored salmon and sweet honey with the traditional orange flavor is something to enjoy from the moment colder weather arrives!

How to Make Honey Glazed Salmon

The process for making a delectable honey glazed salmon is quite simple and takes only a matter of minutes. All you need is a pan, salmon portions, some sort of liquid base (like orange juice), your honey and some flavoring or spices. 

After pan searing your salmon portions and setting aside, set up a pan on medium high heat to work on your glaze.

Pour your orange juice base into the pan and reduce for roughly 1 minute. Add in flavoring like garlic and Gochugaru Pepper Flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds or so. 

Next, add the honey and soy sauce, stirring for another minute or so.

Finally, add your cooked salmon back into the pan, being careful to coat both sides with the glaze. Simmer for one minute and plate it up!

No matter which holiday or how many guests you prepare this orange honey salmon recipe for, it's sure to become a staple in your winter cookbook for many years to come!

Chef Notes:

-  Combining the butter and oil in step 2 reduces the smoke point and will make it less likely to burn.

-  If your guests/family are not fans of the salmon skin, you can remove it easily after step 4.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 10 Minutes

Servings: Serves 4, but easily adjusted 

INSTRUCTIONS

1)  Pat the salmon dry and cut into portions. Season salmon with salt to taste.

2)  Add butter and oil to a skillet over high heat.

3)  Once hot, add the salmon skin side down and sear for 2-3 minutes. Flip to the flesh side for another 2-3 minutes.

4)  Remove salmon and set aside.

5)  In the same pan, reduce heat to medium-high. 

6)  Pour in the orange juice and reduce for 1 minute.

7)  Add garlic and Gochugaru pepper flakes.

8)  Stir constantly for 30 seconds.

9)  Add the honey and soy sauce and stir for 1 minute. 

10)  Add salmon back into the pan along with orange slices.

11)  Coat both sides of the salmon with the glaze

12)  Simmer for 1 minute to marry the glaze with the salmon.

13)  Plate and Serve.