Made with fresh, wholesome ingredients, these six simple marinades will infuse your salmon fillets with bold flavor—without overpowering the delicate taste of the fish. They’re quick to prepare, nutritious, and incredibly delicious!

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🐟 Why You’ll Love These Marinades

I’m always on the hunt for ways to make healthy home-cooked meals both quick and flavorful—and these salmon marinades hit all the marks! Each one features a balanced mix of olive oil, acid (like lemon, lime, or orange juice), garlic, and aromatic spices. They’re:

• Super easy to make

• Made with pantry staples

• Budget-friendly

• Free from mystery ingredients

• Family-approved!

Just marinate your salmon in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor), then cook however you like—bake, pan-fry, grill, or air fry.

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📦 Marinade Recipes

Each recipe is designed for 1 salmon fillet (approx. 5–6 oz). Simply scale up as needed!

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1. Lemon Garlic Marinade

• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Whisk together, pour over salmon in a sealed container or bag, and marinate for 1–2 hours (or overnight).

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2. Sweet & Spicy Marinade

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 Tbsp honey

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• ½ Tbsp hot sauce

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Mix and marinate as directed above.

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3. Honey Mustard Marinade

• 2 Tbsp olive oil

• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 2 Tbsp honey

• 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Great for a sweet, tangy twist! Marinate for 1–2 hours or overnight.

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4. Chili Lime Marinade

• ¼ cup lime juice (approx. 3 limes)

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• ½ Tbsp lime zest

• ½ tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Zesty, fresh, and with a hint of heat—perfect for taco night!

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5. Italian Herb Marinade

• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Earthy and aromatic—this one pairs beautifully with roasted veggies.

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6. Orange Ginger Marinade

• ¼ cup orange juice

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 Tbsp orange zest

• 1½ tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

👉 Bright and refreshing with just the right amount of zing!

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📝 Marinating Tips & Meal Prep Ideas

• Prep Ahead: Buy a large salmon fillet, portion it out, and freeze each piece with its marinade in a ziplock bag.

• Minimum Marinating Time: 1 hour is good, but overnight in the fridge gives the best flavor.

• No Reuse: Never reuse marinade that’s touched raw salmon. You can cook the salmon in the marinade, but don’t save leftovers.

• Storage: Store marinated salmon in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

• Defrosting: Place frozen marinated salmon in the fridge overnight, in a sealed bag submerged in shallow cold water.

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🔥 How to Cook Marinated Salmon

Let the salmon sit at room temperature for 10–20 minutes before cooking for even results.

Oven-Baked Salmon

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Place salmon skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with foil.

• Bake 12–22 minutes depending on thickness. Salmon should flake easily and lose its deep pink center.

Cooking Time Guide:

🧠 Pro Tip: Slightly undercook—salmon continues to cook after being removed from the oven!

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Pan-Fried Salmon

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with oil.

• Place salmon skin-side up and sear for 2–3 minutes.

• Flip, pour in remaining marinade, and cook 3–5 more minutes until fully cooked.

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Grilled Salmon

• Preheat grill to medium.

• Place salmon skin-side up, cover and grill for 5 minutes.

• Flip and cook until it flakes easily.

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Air-Fried Salmon

• Lightly oil your air fryer basket.

• Preheat to 400°F for 2 minutes.

• Place salmon skin-side down and cook 10–20 minutes, depending on thickness.

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🐟 How to Tell If Salmon Is Done

According to USDA guidelines, cooked salmon should reach an internal temp of 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part. It should flake easily with a fork and lose its translucent appearance.

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✅ Safe to Marinate Salmon Overnight?

Yes! It's totally safe to marinate salmon overnight in the fridge. Just ensure it’s cooked within 1–2 days. Any longer and it’s best to freeze it.