Honey-Garlic Salmon with Grapefruit Recipe
Introduction
This Honey-Garlic Salmon with Grapefruit is a fresh and flavorful dish that balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes perfectly. It’s a simple yet elegant meal that brings bright citrus and aromatic herbs to tender roasted salmon. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 large grapefruit
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Finely grate about half of the grapefruit zest into a medium bowl. Cut the grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a paring knife, carefully separate the segments from the white pith, then scoop the segments into the bowl, leaving the juice behind. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit halves into a small saucepan, removing any seeds or pith with a spoon.
- Step 2: Bring the grapefruit juice to a boil over high heat. Boil until it becomes syrupy and reduces to about a tablespoon, roughly 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the honey and more than half of the garlic.
- Step 3: Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Pat the salmon dry, rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the fillets skin-side down on the pan and spoon the honey-garlic glaze over the top.
- Step 4: Roast the salmon in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until just cooked through. The flesh should flake easily with a fork, or measure an internal temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit with an instant-read thermometer.
- Step 5: While the salmon roasts, add the parsley, mint (if using), remaining garlic, and a generous pinch of salt to the bowl with the grapefruit segments. Toss gently to combine all the flavors.
- Step 6: Serve the roasted salmon topped with the fresh grapefruit and herb mixture for a refreshing finish.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the grapefruit and herb mixture.
- Use other citrus fruits like orange or blood orange if grapefruit is not available.
- Skin-on salmon helps keep the fillet moist during cooking, but skinless works fine too.
Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave to avoid drying out the fish. The grapefruit-herb topping is best added fresh when serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but thaw the salmon completely before cooking for even roasting and best texture.
Is it necessary to remove the grapefruit pith?
Yes, removing the white pith helps avoid bitterness, leaving a sweeter citrus flavor for this dish.
PrintHoney-Garlic Salmon with Grapefruit Recipe
This Honey-Garlic Salmon with Grapefruit recipe combines the sweetness of honey and the bright, tangy notes of fresh grapefruit to create a flavorful and healthy dish. Oven-roasted to perfection, the salmon is glazed with a honey-garlic syrup and topped with a refreshing citrus-herb garnish, making it an elegant yet simple meal perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
For the Honey-Garlic Glaze and Salmon
- 1 large grapefruit
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced, divided
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the grapefruit: Heat your oven to 400 degrees F. Finely grate about half of the grapefruit’s zest into a medium bowl. Cut the grapefruit in half crosswise. Using a paring knife, run it around the inside perimeter between the white pith and the flesh to loosen each segment. Scoop out the segments, leaving the juice behind in the rind, and add them to the bowl. Squeeze the juice from the empty grapefruit halves into a small saucepan, removing any seeds or pith.
- Make the honey-garlic syrup: Bring the grapefruit juice to a boil over high heat and reduce it until syrupy and about one tablespoon remains, roughly 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the honey along with a little more than half of the grated or minced garlic.
- Prepare the salmon: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the salmon fillets dry, rub them with olive oil, then season with salt and black pepper. Place them skin-side down on the pan and spoon the honey-garlic glaze evenly over the top.
- Roast the salmon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the salmon for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the flesh flakes easily with a fork. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fillet should read 120 degrees F for perfectly cooked salmon.
- Prepare the grapefruit-herb topping: While the salmon roasts, add the chopped parsley, optional chopped mint, remaining garlic, and a generous pinch of salt to the bowl with the grapefruit segments and zest. Toss to combine all flavors.
- Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest briefly. Serve each fillet topped with the grapefruit and herb mixture for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Using fresh herbs like parsley and mint enhances the dish with bright, aromatic flavors.
- The grapefruit segments add a beautiful contrast in texture and acidity to the richness of the salmon.
- For perfectly cooked salmon, use an instant-read thermometer and avoid overcooking to keep the fish moist and tender.
- This recipe can be adapted to skinless or skin-on salmon fillets according to preference.
- Leftover glaze can be reserved and gently warmed for an additional drizzle over cooked salmon or vegetables.
Keywords: Honey Garlic Salmon, Grapefruit Salmon, Baked Salmon, Healthy Salmon Recipe, Citrus Salmon, Easy Salmon Dinner
