Chipotle pepper, honey and blood oranges create a delicious glaze for this healthy, gluten-free baked salmon served with colorful rainbow carrots.
I’ve always loved cooking with friends, and one of my favorites, Carla, makes everything more fun. She’s lively, loves great food, and—best of all—she has a blood orange tree right in her front yard. When she arrived at our last happy hour with a grocery bag full of freshly picked blood oranges, I knew I needed to turn a few of them into something special.
Some of the fruit went into mimosas and margaritas by the pool (how could they not?), but I saved enough to create a bright, flavorful glaze for salmon. I combined blood orange juice with honey, chipotle powder, cumin, paprika and garlic to make a tangy-sweet glaze with a gentle smoky heat. I roasted the salmon alongside peeled rainbow carrots for a simple, colorful, and gluten-free weeknight dinner.
This baked salmon is visually striking and surprisingly easy to pull together: a short prep time, a single baking dish, and 25 minutes in the oven. It’s an excellent choice for a healthy family meal or a small dinner party. Below you’ll find the ingredient list, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips for serving, storing, and variations.
Blood Orange Baked Salmon Ingredients
- 3 blood oranges (divided – 2 juiced, 1 sliced)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp chipotle powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 lb fresh salmon (one fillet or several portions)
- 2 lbs fresh whole carrots, peeled (use rainbow carrots if available)
Blood Orange Baked Salmon Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the juice from 2 blood oranges (about 1/2 cup), the honey, chipotle powder, cumin, paprika and crushed garlic until smooth. This will be the glaze for the salmon and carrots. Taste and adjust spice and sweetness as needed.
- Place the salmon fillet in a baking dish and arrange the peeled carrots around it so everything roasts together evenly.
- Pour the blood orange glaze over the salmon and carrots, ensuring the fish is well coated. Lay the sliced blood orange pieces on top of the salmon for added flavor and an attractive presentation.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the carrots are tender. If your salmon is very thick, you may need a few extra minutes. Keep an eye on the glaze to ensure it doesn’t burn; if it starts to darken too much, cover loosely with foil.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon pairs beautifully with a simple starch. Steamed white rice or a light cilantro-lime cauliflower rice are both excellent choices if you prefer a lower-carb option. A crisp green salad or a side of roasted asparagus would also complement the bright citrus glaze.
Tips, Variations, and Storage
- If you can’t find blood oranges, navel oranges or a mix of orange and grapefruit juice will work—expect a slightly different flavor profile.
- Adjust the chipotle powder to control the heat: use less for a mild glaze or add a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor without too much spice.
- To make this dish ahead, prepare the glaze and refrigerate for up to two days; assemble and bake when ready. Leftover cooked salmon keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a low oven (about 300°F) until warmed through to avoid drying out the fish, or enjoy leftover salmon cold flaked over a salad.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free; always check labels on spices and packaged ingredients for hidden gluten if needed.
Recipe Details
- Servings: 2 people
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Author: Whitney Bond
Nutrition Facts (approximate)
- Serving: 2 servings (recipe total)
- Calories: 660 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 83 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 124 mg
- Sodium: 438 mg
- Potassium: 2664 mg
- Fiber: 13 g
- Sugar: 58 g
- Vitamin A: 76595 IU (percent daily values calculated for reference)
- Vitamin C: 38.5 mg
- Calcium: 193 mg
- Iron: 4 mg
If you enjoy salmon, try pairing this recipe with other flavor ideas like Blueberry BBQ Salmon, Lemon Herb Salmon, or Pesto Baked Salmon for different weeknight dinners. Each variation highlights how versatile salmon can be with fresh fruit, herbs, or bold sauces.
Enjoy the mix of bright citrus, gentle heat from chipotle, and the natural richness of salmon. It’s quick to prepare, visually beautiful, and makes a healthy, gluten-free centerpiece for any meal.