Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles
Pan-seared salmon glazed with a honey-citrus sauce paired with tender zucchini noodles sautéed in garlic and olive oil for a light, flavorful meal. This seafood-inspired quick meals (low-carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin-on, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin-on
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 2 tbsp honey until combined. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until skin is crispy.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and pour the honey-citrus glaze over the fillets. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is cooked through and glaze thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Remove salmon to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté garlic over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 4 spiralized medium zucchini noodles to the skillet and cook, tossing gently, for 2-3 minutes until tender but still firm. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 6: Plate the zucchini noodles topped with a salmon fillet and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles 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 Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles?
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 Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Honey-Glazed Citrus Salmon with Garlic Zucchini Noodles low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
