Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon
Baked salmon fillets with a bittersweet citrus glaze featuring Aperol, fresh orange, and aromatic thyme, finished with a golden crust. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) Salmon fillets, Olive oil, Aperol for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Aperol
- 1/4 cup Fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) on a parchment-lined baking sheet, skin-side down if skin is present.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup Aperol, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp fresh thyme until smooth. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Pour half of the glaze mixture (about 3 tbsp) over the salmon fillets, then bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and the glaze is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon?
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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon?
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 Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon 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.
What goes well with Orange-Thyme Glazed Salmon?
Mediterranean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to seafood dish. We make it weekly.
