Orange Harissa Baked Salmon Recipe

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I’ve been trying to work salmon into my cooking rotation more often lately. It’s such a great source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. And it’s honestly one of my favorite proteins. But I am such a creature of habit that I often simply forget to even consider salmon in my weekly meal prepping. But this baked harissa and orange salmon is so easy and so good, I’m pretty sure I’ll be making it again and again. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s loaded with flavor thanks to the combination of honey, harissa, orange juice, and orange zest in the glaze.
• It’s super quick. It takes longer for my oven to preheat than it does for me to prepare the salmon. And it bakes in just 15 minutes!
• Salmon is nutrient-dense and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which many diets are lacking. 
• Leftovers are delicious cold on a salad, which means tomorrow’s lunch is handled.. 

Making Baked Harissa Orange Salmon

The hardest part of making this easy baked salmon recipe (for me, at least) is remembering to thaw the salmon filets the night before. While you can technically bake salmon filets from frozen, I’ve not had great luck going that route. Maybe with a bit more practice, I can get the hang of it. But, for now, I recommend starting with thawed salmon filets.  

The Ingredients

To make this orange harissa baked salmon, you’ll need…

Salmon filets – I generally use filets that are about 6-8 ounces each. I assume you could also use one large filet instead of individual filets but I haven’t tested that yet. 

Orange juice and zest – Salmon just begs for a little citrus and for this recipe I opted for orange to complement the harissa.

Harissa paste – If you’ve never tried harissa paste, you’re in for a treat! This traditional Moroccan sauce is made from chili and bell peppers and is delicious on everything from salmon to eggs to roasted vegetables. My go-to brand is Mina, which I’m able to find in the Asian aisle of my grocery store. I prefer the mild option but if you love heat, feel free to opt for the spicy version. Because this is such a unique condiment, there really isn’t a good substitute. 

Honey – For a bit of sweetness to balance everything out and help the sauce glaze. You can use maple syrup if preferred. 

Garlic – No recipe is complete without garlic, right? I used a fresh clove of garlic but you could use garlic powder, if needed. 

Salt and pepper – to taste.

The Method

Preheat the oven to 400° Fahrenheit and drizzle a little bit of oil in the baking dish. 

Place the salmon filets skin-side down into a baking dish. Pat the tops of the salmon filets with a paper towel. Then sprinkle each filet with a bit of salt and pepper. 

In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, zest, honey, harissa, and garlic. Whisk to combine. 

Spoon the orange mixture evenly over the salmon filets. 

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until the thickest part of the filets are opaque and flake easily. They should register at least 135° with a meat thermometer. 

Remove from the oven and cover them with a bit of aluminum foil. Let the filets rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices settle and allows the internal temperature to reach 145° without the risk of overbaking. 

Serve salmon immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

What To Serve With Baked Salmon

This salmon is super versatile and complements the flavors of lots of other dishes. 

If you’re looking for a side dish, why not try one of these:

• How To Make Simple But Perfect Roasted Sweet Potatoes: This simple recipe is my go-to method for creating perfectly crispy, flavorful, and delicious roasted sweet potatoes. It’s a perfect side dish and incredibly versatile.
• Easy Garlic Turmeric Rice Recipe: This garlic turmeric rice is a delicious, simple recipe that highlights the nourishing benefits of turmeric and pairs well with just about anything.
• Roasted Crispy Fingerling Potatoes with Cilantro Sauce: This simple side dish of crispy roasted fingerling potatoes is topped with an herby cilantro sauce that is easy to make but feels a bit special.

Or, if you’re looking for a veggie dish, either of these would be delicious:

• Lemon Roasted Broccoli With Parmesan And Pine Nuts: This simple lemon roasted broccoli recipe is your new favorite veggie side. It’s topped with pine nuts and parmesan for extra flavor and crunch.
• Orange Ginger Glazed Carrots With Parsley Pistachio Gremolata: These glazed carrots are cooked to perfection in a subtly sweet orange and ginger glaze. To finish, it’s topped with a bright herby gremolata.

This easy baked salmon is also great on top of a salad:

• Winter Roasted Beet, Orange, & Quinoa Salad: Roasted beets and sweet oranges combine with protein-packed quinoa for a delicious wintry grain salad topped with feta cheese and pistachios.
• Citrus, Beet, and Cabbage Salad: Perfect for the beginning of spring, this Citrus, Beet, and Cabbage Salad takes advantage of the lingering winter citrus fruits and the early crop of beets to make a vibrant, colorful dish as full of flavor as it is antioxidants!

Health Benefits of Salmon

It’s no secret salmon is a powerhouse of nutrition. It’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, a good source of protein, and one of the best sources of vitamin B12 Just check out some of these amazing health benefits of salmon: 

Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Salmon is one of the best sources of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your body and must be obtained from your diet. These fats help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Just two servings of salmon per week can meet your omega-3 needs more effectively than fish oil supplements.

High in B Vitamins

Salmon is rich in B vitamins, which are vital for energy production, DNA repair, and reducing chronic inflammation. A serving of salmon provides high levels of vitamin B12, niacin, and vitamin B6, all of which support brain and nervous system function.

Good Source of Potassium

Wild salmon is an excellent source of potassium, providing up to 13% of your daily value per serving. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and balance fluids in the body.

Loaded with Selenium

Salmon delivers 75–85% of your daily selenium needs per serving, supporting bone health, thyroid function, and protection against certain cancers. 

Contains Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin, the antioxidant that gives salmon its red hue, provides powerful benefits for heart, brain, and skin health. It reduces cholesterol oxidation, protects against inflammation, and may prevent wrinkles while promoting skin elasticity.