Ginger Orange Glazed Salmon is a super quick and easy weeknight meal. Time for some no-fuss, low-stress, high-sex-appeal food!
Happy hump day! Let’s talk about stress!
Last week, while I was chopping and roasting vegetables, I was listening to a Radiolab podcast on stress.
Rather than focusing on the obvious – we live in an over-stimulated culture that hands us a stress bucket at birth and encourages us to continually shovel anxiety-riddled activities into it without giving us the intelligent means to sort through its contents, etc. etc. – the podcast discusses stress from an historical and medical standpoint.
All the talk about stress (and my simultaneous cooking) made me think about food.
The podcast doesn’t touch on this, but there certain foods amplify and instigate stress, while others relieve and prevent it.
Interesting, considering we are all guilty of stress eating, and most of the time, our stress eats of choice are the exact foods we shouldn’t be consuming at that exact moment. I have found the cleaner I eat, the less anxious, frustrated, and emotional I feel (<- I aspire to be Mr. Roboto, can you just tell?).
All this to say, an unprocessed, whole food-rich diet is very stabilizing as it gives your brain the proper nutrients it needs to function efficiently.
Blood sugar highs and lows contribute greatly to your stress level, which is one of the reasons it’s smart to avoid eating quick burning carbohydrates and processed sugars.
While I had no intention of making this salmon as a stress-reducing meal, it just so happens to be exactly that. According to WebMD, fatty fish and oranges are a great stress relievers. The high Vitamin C content in oranges helps lower cortisol (stress hormone) and protects our immune system.
The Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can prevent surges in stress hormones and may help protect against heart disease, depression, and – get this – PMS.
Other stress relief foods include spinach, black tea, pistachios, avocados, almonds, asparagus, blueberries, turkey, and oatmeal.
From a health standpoint this salmon’s a winner, and I’d be lying if I said this isn’t one of the best hunks of salmon I ever did eat.
Simply marinate a salmon fillet in orange juice (I used blood orange), freshly grated ginger, and some other goodies, broil that sucker on high and you’re in the money. I love broiling salmon because it cooks quickly and comes out with a crispy outside and super moist inside.
Baddabing badda boom: no-fuss date night food.
Make this on all the days!

Ginger Orange Glazed Salmon
Ginger Orange Glazed Salmon is a fresh and zesty dinner recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound salmon fillet
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or blender, combine the orange zest, grated ginger, mustard, garlic, orange juice, and 1 tablespoon of oil. Whisk or blend until well combined.
- Place the salmon fillet in a large zip-lock bag and pour the marinade into it. Allow the salmon to marinate overnight or at least for 1 hour.
- When ready to cook, place oven on the high broil setting and move one of the oven wracks to the notch that's second to the top.
- Place salmon (including the marinade) in a casserole dish and lightly drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top of the salmon is crispy and the fish is cooked through.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy
Nutrition Information
Yield 3 Serving Size 1 ServingAmount Per Serving Calories 308Total Fat 18gUnsaturated Fat 0gCarbohydrates 2gSugar 2gProtein 29g
Bri | Bites of Bri
Wednesday 11th of February 2015
This salmon looks beautiful and delicious. Bonus points if it's a stress reliever! Who knew? I'm loving blood oranges right now too :)
Julia
Wednesday 11th of February 2015
IIII know, right?! Amazing, the healing powers of food. Cheers to blood oranges!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
Sunday 8th of February 2015
Salmon is something that I make most nights for dinner - so this recipe is just ideal for me. Thanks for sharing it!
Julia
Monday 9th of February 2015
You got it, sister! I'm big into salmon as well..typically have it at least once a week!
Jolena @TheRubyKitchen
Sunday 8th of February 2015
I actually pinned this a couple days ago and sent it to my husband! He has been looking for some Paleo friendly recipes to make me for dinner. I cannot wait to try it, I just love blood oranges. Thanks for sharing!
Julia
Monday 9th of February 2015
Yeeeeeeah! I hope you and your husband enjoy!
Joanne
Sunday 8th of February 2015
I have a BIG presentation this week, so obviously I need to eat tons and tons of salmon. Starting with this.
Julia
Monday 9th of February 2015
Good luck on your presentation! Salmon is great brain food! Hope you enjoy!
francesca
Friday 6th of February 2015
I'm a big, big stress eater.. but I usually go for sweets. Simple marinades are the best!