This Za’atar Orange Salmon Recipe takes 30 minutes or less from fridge to plate! Easy marinade, crispy skin, fantastic flavor and aroma! So simple!
These days, when we are all spending so much time at home, for me at least, it’s important to remember to find new sources of joy. That’s because whether we live alone or with a big family, we all have an entirely new rhythm to our days. A new way to go to school, to work, go to the grocery, or visit friends. All inside our own home. This makes us a little… bored, stressed and agitated restless. And, I think this results in all of us needing a little more. More stimulation. A little more humor. A little more beauty. And a little more flavor.
You know, this is really an epic time, in many ways. When we look back upon these days, I think we will all have learned things, both good and maybe not-so-good, about ourselves and new things about others. And, we may also learn some new skills – baking, sewing, a new language. No doubt we will all learn a bit more resilience. We will likely find joy in places we didn’t realize were there, with people we maybe hadn’t thought of or seen in quite a while, as well as with those we see every day. To that end, I’ve been getting in touch with many friends and family members of whom I usually think, “I really need to call Aunt Mary.” Well, now I know she’s home. We’re all home. So I call.
I also have been cooking things I’ve never cooked before. Maybe, like me, you have the “weekly rotation” – Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Chicken on Wednesday…etc. Out the window! Right now, maybe because I’m feeling a bit…..restless, I’m choosing foods and recipes that are super-charged with flavor. My spice drawer has become the MVP of my kitchen. Any recipe I can make that is simultaneously sweet/tart/salty and spicy wins the day! My search for different flavors is what led me to making this Orange Za’atar Salmon, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be a fixture in my house.
Orange zest and juice combined with Za’atar spice and a nice hit of garlic melds so elegantly with tender, savory salmon. It’s not a strong flavor, but it is striking to the extent it is different from others you may have had. I’ve crisped the skin on the salmon too, for an extra treat. Because texture is as important as flavor!
So if you’re needing seeking different and striking flavors these days, try this lovely Orange Za’atar Salmon with Crispy Skin!
And, let me know, are you cooking new recipes during these stay-at-home days? And looking for different or more intense flavors? Or are you finding comfort in old favorite recipes?
Enjoy!
If you’re looking for other salmon recipes, don’t miss my Honey Sriracha Salmon or my My lemony salmon bowl with Za’atar-spiced Chickpeas .
Za’atar Orange Salmon Recipe Details ->
(Note: As I am an Amazon affiliate, this post may contain Affiliate links. These are links to items, which, if you were to purchase, I would receive a small commission, at no cost to you.)
This is one of the easiest recipes I know for infusing great flavor into a nice fillet or steak of salmon! Just a few ingredients and a little time (and a Cast-iron skillet) is all it takes!
Salmon fillets or steaks are marinated in a quick but super flavorful Orange-Za’atar marinade. Then, the skin is crisped to perfection in a Cast Iron skillet, then the salmon is finished in the oven.
Can I just finish it on the stove? You can finish it on the stove if you like, but I find it cooks more evenly when roasted.
I don’t have or don’t want to use my Cast-iron skillet. Can I roast it fully in the oven? You could also cook it entirely on a sheet pan for about 12 minutes, but you won’t end up with the crispy skin. (I always like some options when cooking!) If you’re looking for a Cast-iron skillet, I find Lodge skillets to be long lasting and inexpensive. (#notanaffiliate)
What is Za’atar? Za’atar is a Middle-Eastern spice mix made with sumac. If both of those names are foreign to you, stick with me. You’ll be glad you got to know them. I made my own Za’atar when I made this Garlicky Kale with Sweet Potatoes Recipe that I’d seen in Bon Apetit. It was so easy, just some toasted sesame seeds, dried thyme, and sumac. What awesome flavor – Earthy, spicy, tart, citrus-y! If you haven’t cooked with sumac before, it’s different than any other spice. Made from seeds of the Sumac Shrub, it is a reddish-purple powder. And it definitely deserves a place in your spice drawer!
You can likely buy Za’atar already made at your grocery store, or you can get it from Amazon already mixed and ready to use!
So make this salmon! And let me know if you loved it as much as we did!
Marinade Ingredients Salmon skin side up in Marinade Crisp the skin, then roast in oven
Za’atar Orange Salmon
A super-easy, bright and flavorful salmon recipe. Orange zest and za’atar spice market the flavor so enticing. Make it in a Castiron pan to get that elusive super-crispy skin – oh, so tasty!
Special equipment needed: Castiron skillet
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10-12 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Stovetop + Oven
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
- 4 6 oz. Skin-on Salmon Steaks or thick Fillets
- Zest and Juice from 1 Orange
- 1/4 c (60 ml) Extra-Virgin or Light Olive Oil
- 2 T Za’atar Spice (or 2 tsp Sumac)
- 1 T Granulated Sugar
- 3 Garlic Cloves, crushed
- 1 t Salt
- 1/4 t Black Pepper
- 2 T Butter
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F (375F if Convection/Fan)
Make Marinade
- In a small bowl or jar with a lid, mix together the orange zest and juice, olive oil, Za’atar spice, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Whisk or shake well.
- Pour into a glass baking dish.
- Place steaks or fillets, skin-side up into the marinade. Let marinate 10-30 min.
Crisp the Skin
- While oven is preheating, heat the castiron skillet over Medium-High heat on the stove.
- Remove the fillets or steaks from the marinade, keeping the skin side UP. Discard Marinade. Using paper towels or a clean cloth, carefully pat the skin dry. Sprinkle some salt over the skin.
- Melt the butter in the hot skillet. Once it is sizzling, place the salmon, skin-side DOWN, into the hot butter. Cook 2 minutes.
Cook the Salmon in the Oven.
- Place the HOT castiron pan, without moving the salmon, into the preheated oven. Roast 7 minutes for fillets, 8 mins for steaks. This will produce Medium-rare to Medium Salmon. If you like it more well done, leave for another 1-2 minutes, being careful not to overcook.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz.
Keywords: Salmon, castiron, sumac, Za’atar, orange, Orange Za’atar Salmon Recipe, recipe, crispy salmon skin
What a flavour packed meal, Laura! And I just happen to have the ingredients on hand! This need to happen soon 🙂 Talk about YUM!
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Thanks so much, Dawn! I hope you get the chance to try this easy and flavorful salmon!
I love the flavor combo you’ve got going here Laura. I know I’d really enjoy it. Pinned and can’t wait to try!
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Thanks, Mary Ann! I love these super-simple, super-flavorful combinations! Hope you get the chance to try it!
What an interesting combo of za’atar and orange! I bet this is so good on salmon! I have to say, salmon is one of my favorite things to eat, if not my #1. Especially when it’s as flavorful as this!! Hope you had a great Easter Laura!
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Thanks so much, Katherine! Glad you like the recipe! Salmon is my favorite, too! Hope you are all healthy and safe!
Hi Laura!
This looks perfect for us – easy enough but different than our usual salmon dinners. I have had trouble finding sumac in the past. I’ll try to order the Za’atar online – sounds great! I have been giving the kids daily cooking “classes” where they can learn some basics and start writing down recipes for their own collection. And I’ve made challah, which is not too hard and looks amazing. I hope you are hanging in there ok!! Such strange times!
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Thanks, Cara! What a great idea to teach your kids to cook. Mine each have some favorites they love and can reliably make. Awesome you’ve made challah! I love making bread, but it’s difficult to find flour here right now, so I’m kind of using it bit by bit. Hopefully soon. Hope you are hanging in there, too! The days seem to be running together a bit. I’m never quite sure what day of the week it is. Tough to keep Normal routines when everything is different, but we are all good! Take care and stay healthy!
Wow! This salmon with the orange & za’atar sounds amazing! I’ve never had that combination with salmon before! YUM!
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Thanks so much, Kim! It is a great combo – hope you get the chance to try it out!
At the moment I’m cooking anything that makes us happy. And anything I can make with sometimes limited supplies of certain items in our supermarkets! I did notice salmon was quite plentiful on the shelves the other day I was in, so this would be a perfect recipe for something I won’t struggle to get. Thanks Laura. Hope you are staying safe!
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Glad to hear your salmon supply is good. Ours is too, for the most part. I’ve had the same philosophy here – anything that makes us happy! That involves new flavors, strong flavors, frequent baking. All joy-inducing! Take care, Neil!
The combination of salmon, Za’atar, and orange sounds like a great choice. This fish looks delicious and cooked to perfection, but I am also craving this beautifully baked potato. Very nicely done!
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Thanks so much, Ben! I know the Baked Potato is a bit non-traditional with the Middle Eastern vibe here, but I was craving it also! Hope you get the chance to try this!
I totally, 100% hear ya on the restless thoughts. I’ll take it one step further and say we’re going bonkers here. But we’re at the end of Week 4 now, and we’ve kinda figured out our rhythm. Laura and I have totally turned to the kitchen to find new recipes to entertain us. Every day is the same, and cooking seems to be a way to provide some much-needed relief. And I’ve been baking a lot with Robbie as an activity – cookies, bread, you name it. He seems to enjoy helping out – and eating! As far as this recipe, it sounds awesome! I do enjoy Za’atar, but I’ve never thought about combining it with orange. I’m intrigued! Stay safe, my friend. Oh, and call Aunt Mary!
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Thanks, David! I totally get the bonkers feeling! Ha! Our kitchen feels the same, a source of much-needed entertainment , joy, and relief. Glad Robbie is enjoying the baking process, too!! Stay safe and sane!
That really looks beautiful! And tasty!
Thanks, Mimi! It is so tasty! Can’t wait to make it again!