Christmas Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze Recipe
This festive Christmas Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze is a beautifully roasted Atlantic salmon dish, featuring a sweet and tangy glaze made from pomegranate juice, brown sugar, and fresh orange zest. It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a colorful presentation garnished with pomegranate seeds, orange slices, parsley, and green onions for a fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 2 lbs. whole Atlantic salmon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pomegranate Glaze
- 2 cups pomegranate juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Garnish
- Pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Orange slices for garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Prepare Salmon: Place the whole Atlantic salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Season the salmon evenly with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance its natural flavor.
- Make Pomegranate Glaze: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine pomegranate juice, brown sugar, fresh squeezed orange juice, and orange zest. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and allow it to simmer gently for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally as the sauce thickens to a syrup-like consistency, which will become a flavorful glaze.
- Glaze Salmon: Once the pomegranate glaze has thickened, brush a generous layer over the top of the seasoned salmon to infuse it with a sweet and citrusy flavor.
- Bake Salmon: Place the glazed salmon in the preheated oven and bake for 30-38 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 145°F (63°C), indicating it is safely cooked and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully transfer the baked salmon to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds, vibrant orange slices, chopped fresh parsley, and thinly sliced green onions to add color, freshness, and extra flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking the salmon.
- The glaze can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated; reheat gently before glazing the salmon.
- For a more intense flavor, marinate the salmon with salt and pepper for 15 minutes before glazing and baking.
- Leftover glazed salmon can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and served cold or reheated gently.
- If pomegranate juice is not available, a mixture of cranberry and orange juice can be used as a substitute with slight flavor variation.
Keywords: Christmas salmon, pomegranate glaze, baked salmon, holiday seafood, festive salmon recipe, roasted salmon, citrus glaze
