Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach
Tender grilled salmon brushed with a bright half-orange glaze paired with sautéed sesame spinach for a fresh, balanced dinner. This asian fusion-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs salmon fillets, orange juice, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed (about half a large orange) orange juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about half an orange), 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger to create the glaze.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season 2 salmon fillets with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Place salmon on grill and cook for 4 minutes. Brush generously with half the orange glaze, flip, and cook another 4 minutes while brushing more glaze until salmon is cooked through and glaze caramelizes slightly.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cups baby spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still bright green.
- Step 5: Remove spinach from heat, sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, and toss gently.
- Step 6: Serve grilled salmon atop the sesame spinach, drizzling any remaining glaze over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-Orange Glazed Grilled Salmon with Sesame Spinach?
Asian Fusion seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
