Cranberry BBQ Glazed Salmon Fillet
This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and festive flavors with easy preparation. It features succulent salmon coated in a vibrant cranberry and BBQ glaze, ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
Equipment
- oven
- Large Oven-Safe Skillet
- Baking sheet
- Brush
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Salmon Fillets
- 4 6-ounce fresh salmon fillets skin-on or skin-off, about 1-inch thick
Glaze
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce whole berry or jellied; mash if whole berry for smoother glaze
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce your favorite flavor profile
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing salmon
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or chives chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until smooth. Set aside 1/4 cup of glaze for serving.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until crispy and golden brown; if skinless, sear 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Leave the fillets in the skillet or transfer to prepared baking sheet. Brush the top and sides generously with the prepared glaze.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily, with an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Optionally brush a second glaze layer in the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives. Serve with reserved glaze on the side.
Notes
This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Customize the glaze by adjusting sweetness or adding spices like sriracha or citrus zest for extra flavor layers.