Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa
Smokey-sweet salmon glazed with orange and cinnamon, served over a bed of fluffy quinoa for a flavorful, balanced dish. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs 6 oz each salmon fillets, orange juice, orange zest 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 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup, uncooked quinoa
- 1 cup broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp orange juice, 1 tbsp orange zest, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp maple syrup, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Place salmon fillets in a baking dish and brush with the glaze. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes until flaky.
- Step 2: In a pot, bring 1 cup broth to a boil. Add 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 3: Serve salmon fillets over quinoa, garnished with additional orange zest and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa?
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 Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa?
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 Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa 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 Spiced Orange-Glazed Salmon with Quinoa?
Asian 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
