Cranberry Salmon with Sweet and Tangy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Cranberry Salmon is a vibrant and delicious dish that perfectly combines the rich, buttery flavor of seared salmon with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce infused with orange juice, honey, and warm spices. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a festive meal, offering a beautiful presentation and bursting with complementary flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or thyme, chopped (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Cranberry Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, orange juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 10 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the Salmon: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crisp. Carefully spoon some of the cranberry sauce over the salmon fillets.
- Bake the Salmon: Transfer the skillet with the salmon to the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Drizzle the salmon with any remaining cranberry sauce. Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme if desired and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for gluten-free diets.
- Use fresh or frozen cranberries as available; thaw frozen cranberries before using for best results.
- You can prepare the cranberry sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Leftover cranberry salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For added flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cranberry sauce for a spicy kick.
- Serve with roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or asparagus to complete the meal.
- If using frozen salmon fillets, thaw them fully in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Keywords: cranberry salmon, baked salmon with cranberry sauce, holiday salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner, gluten free salmon recipe, festive salmon dish
