The Best Salmon Marinade requires just a handful of ingredients to bring out the best flavor in your salmon. It’s the best marinade for salmon whether you are making grilled salmon or oven-baked. 

baked salmon.

This salmon marinade can be used with the two most common cooking methods for salmon: baking and grilling. Baking is a super easy method for cooking salmon that locks in flavor and helps cook salmon evenly. Grilling adds a lot of additional flavor to salmon which is a natural benefit of cooking over an open flame. No matter which method you use, this marinade is going to take your salmon over the top with flavor!

This marinade is an orange-honey-ginger based sauce. Each ingredient is important and offers something different to create the best tasting salmon. Soy provides seasoning on our fish rather than salt. Salmon always needs an acid, and orange is the perfect complimenting flavor. The honey works to balance out the acidity. Garlic and ginger add a complexity of flavor, with a touch of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat. It’s the best salmon marinade for perfect salmon every time.

Spice Level in The Best Salmon Marinade:

The red pepper flakes in this recipe give it a nice warmth, without much heat. You can increase or decrease the amount of red pepper flakes according to your own spice tolerance and taste preferences.

Skillet Cooking Instructions: 

Salmon is a forgiving fish that is easy to cook. Salmon is most commonly baked or grilled, though you can also cook it on the stovetop in a pan. This method works best for salmon portions and not large salmon filets. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down (if there is skin) and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and continue cooking for 4 to 6 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

Baking Instructions: 

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Season your salmon with desired seasonings. Wrap in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until salmon easily flakes with a fork. The aluminum foil will trap in steam and help cook your fish evenly.

Grilling Instructions: 

To grill salmon, preheat an outdoor grill to approximately 400 degrees. Place your salmon onto aluminum foil or a pre-soaked cedar grilling plank. Close the grill, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fish easily flakes with a fork.

Overhead view of a salmon filet with orange slices on top.

Storage and Reheating Instructions: 

Salmon is always best served fresh. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through. 

If you like this recipe you may be interested in these other delicious salmon recipes: