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Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon—EASY, healthy, 20 minute, oven baked salmon that you can make at home. Covered in warm honey, lime juice, and cilantro for so much flavor! Paleo and Keto too!
Why I Love Baked Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon
This delicious baked salmon recipe uses cilantro, lime, garlic and honey to make a mouthwatering, flavorful taste. Take a fresh or frozen salmon fillet and make this flavorful dish tonight!
This recipe is better than any salmon that I’ve ordered at a restaurant. And I’ve tried a lot. If you are on the fence about salmon or avoid it because of it’s fishy taste, I urge you to try this recipe. It will be unlike anything you’ve ever tried.
And for salmon lovers, you will definitely be adding this recipe to your weekly rotation. Maybe like 5 days a week… You won’t be able to stop eating it.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s so easy to clean up. No scrubbing or elbow grease required.
This baked salmon is so easy to make and clean up. Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheating your oven to 400 degrees. If you don’t have parchment paper go ahead and use foil. I definitely recommend lining the baking sheet with something since you will be using honey in this recipe.
When the honey is baked it will caramelize and be a sticky mess to clean off your sheet pan. Place the salmon on the baking sheet.
In a small bowl, stir together the melted ghee or butter, lime juice, honey, garlic, paprika and freshly chopped cilantro. These flavors are incredible when paired together.
I highly recommend using fresh cilantro as it brings so much more flavor out than dried cilantro, however use what you have. If you are a cilantro HATER, and think that cilantro taste like soap (not me ????????♀️) then substitute with parsley. Fun fact- Whether or not you like cilantro relates to your genes. Read more here.
Pour the lime/honey sauce evenly over the salmon fillet. Take a spoon and spread it over the top and sides of the salmon fillet. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.
Pull the sheet pan out of the oven. Check for doneness by sticking a fork in the thickest part of the salmon. If it flakes easily with a fork, it is done. If you are checking using an instant read thermometer, it should read 145 degrees.
Garnish the salmon with more freshly chopped cilantro, and spoon the sauce that is around the salmon over the fillet. Serve the baked salmon immediately with white rice, or with mixed greens.
What Kind of Salmon Should I Use?
Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is the best hands down! It taste the best and is healthier than farmed salmon. You can buy wild salmon fresh from the seafood counter or frozen.
If you buy your salmon frozen, place it in the fridge to thaw over night and cook it the next day. If you would like to cook it the same day, place the frozen salmon in a plastic or silicone bag, and submerge it under cold water. Depending on it’s size, it could take 1-2 hours to defrost.
Tips for Making Baked Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon
Line your baking sheet using parchment paper or foil before cooking the salmon. This will prevent the honey from becoming a sticky mess on your baking sheet. If you don’t have either, wait to add the honey until the salmon is done cooking.
Pick up fresh cilantro for this recipe. Unfortunately dried cilantro isn’t as flavorful. If you don’t like cilantro, substitute this recipe with parsley.
Use fresh lime juice. This makes a huge difference. Use a Citrus Squeezer to squeeze your own lime juice.
Serve this honey cilantro lime salmon with white rice, cauliflower rice, green beans, or over a bed of greens.
Storing and Freezing
Storing– Wait till salmon is cooled before placing it in an airtight glass container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freezing– This recipe is so easy to freeze. Store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.
Honey Cilantro Lime Salmon—EASY, healthy, 20 minute, oven baked salmon that you can make at home. Covered in warm honey, lime juice, and cilantro for so much flavor! Paleo and Keto too!
Prep the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the melted ghee, lime juice, honey, garlic, paprika and cilantro. Pour the lime/honey sauce evenly over the salmon fillet. Using a spoon, spread the sauce evenly over the top and sides of the salmon.
Bake: Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Garnish the salmon with chopped cilantro and serve.
Check for doneness by sticking a fork in the thickest part of the salmon. If it flakes easily with a fork, it is done. If you are checking using an instant read thermometer, it should read 145 degrees.
Storing– Wait till salmon is cooled before placing it in an airtight glass container. It will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freezing– This recipe is so easy to freeze. Store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven or microwave when ready to eat.
