Description
This Baked Pineapple Salmon with Honey recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory flavor combination. The salmon is seasoned with a smoky, herby blend and topped with juicy pineapple slices, then baked to perfection. Easy to prepare and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, this meal balances fresh fruitiness with the rich taste of salmon.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1 lb salmon fillet (with skin preferred, to prevent burning) (one whole salmon fillet or four 4-oz fillets)
Honey Glaze
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Seasoning Blend
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (not table salt)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Other
- 20 oz pineapple slices in juice, drained (aka pineapple rings)
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish, if desired (or dried parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
- Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon fillet dry on both sides to remove excess moisture, then place it skin side down on the prepared baking pan.
- Make Honey Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and olive oil until well combined.
- Apply Glaze: Spread the honey and olive oil mixture evenly over the top of the salmon fillet, ensuring good coverage for flavor and moisture.
- Season Salmon: Combine the kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and black pepper in a small bowl. Reserve 1/2 teaspoon of this seasoning blend, then sprinkle the rest evenly over the salmon.
- Arrange Pineapple: Place pineapple slices in a single row on top of the salmon, then arrange the remaining pineapple slices around the salmon in the pan. Sprinkle all the pineapple slices with the reserved seasoning blend for extra flavor.
- Bake Salmon: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on salmon thickness and desired doneness. The ideal internal temperature is around 130°F (54°C) for medium, but the USDA recommends 145°F (63°C). Avoid overcooking to keep the salmon moist.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the salmon from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use skin-on salmon to help prevent the skin from burning and to keep the fillet moist.
- If fresh parsley is unavailable, dried parsley can be used as a substitute for garnish.
- The cooking time varies based on the thickness of your salmon fillet; use a thermometer for best results.
- To keep cleanup easy, lining the baking pan with parchment paper is recommended.
- The pineapple adds natural sweetness; ensure it’s drained well to avoid watery salmon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
