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Christmas Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cranberry Citrus Glaze – Festive, Elegant & Easy

This Christmas Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cranberry Citrus Glaze is the ultimate holiday main dish — beautifully flaky, richly seasoned, topped with a golden herb crust, and finished with a jewel-toned cranberry orange glaze that tastes just like Christmas. It’s festive without being fussy, elegant without being complicated, and absolutely show-stopping on a holiday table. Perfect for Christmas Eve dinner, cozy family gatherings, special holiday brunch, or a lighter alternative to ham or turkey. With fresh herbs, garlic butter, sweet-tart cranberries, and zesty citrus, this salmon delivers the perfect balance of bright, comforting, and celebratory flavors. One pan. Big holiday energy. Zero stress.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 1½ –2 lb salmon fillet skin on or off
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Cranberry Citrus Glaze
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • Pinch of salt
Optional Garnishes
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Orange slices
  • Extra cranberries
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Equipment

  • Baking sheet or roasting pan
  • Small saucepan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Pastry brush
  • Parchment paper
  • Instant-read thermometer (optional)

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the Salmon
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Line pan with parchment.
  3. Place salmon skin-side down and pat dry.
  4. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Make the Herb Butter
  1. In a bowl combine:
  2. melted butter
  3. olive oil
  4. garlic
  5. Dijon
  6. parsley
  7. rosemary
  8. thyme
  9. lemon zest
  10. Mix until thick and fragrant.
  11. Spread evenly over the salmon.
Step 3: Bake the Salmon
  1. Bake 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness.
  2. The salmon should flake easily with a fork but remain moist.
Step 4: Make the Cranberry Citrus Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan combine:
  2. cranberries
  3. orange juice
  4. maple/honey
  5. brown sugar
  6. orange zest
  7. pinch of salt
  8. Simmer on medium until cranberries burst and sauce thickens, 8–10 minutes.
  9. Mash slightly or leave chunky.
Step 5: Glaze & Broil
  1. Remove salmon from oven.
  2. Brush generously with warm cranberry glaze.
  3. Broil 1–2 minutes for shine and caramelization.
Step 6: Serve
  1. Transfer to a platter.
  2. Garnish with orange slices, rosemary, and pomegranate seeds.
  3. Serve any extra glaze on the side.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Fridge: 2–3 days
Freezer: 1 month (without glaze)
Reheat gently at 275°F for 10 minutes or enjoy chilled on salads.

🥄 Variations

Maple Pecan Crusted Salmon
Add crushed pecans + maple syrup to crust.
Brown Butter Sage Salmon
Use brown butter + crisped sage leaves on top.
Christmas Pesto Salmon
Use basil or kale pesto with roasted cherry tomatoes.
Ginger Cranberry Glaze
Add ½ tsp grated ginger for a spicy holiday touch.
Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon
Skip cranberries for a classic Christmas Eve style.
Rosemary Parmesan Crust
Add parmesan to the herb mix for a savory crust.
Honey Mustard Holiday Salmon
Replace glaze with sweet mustard drizzle.
Stuffed Holiday Salmon
Stuff center with spinach, cream cheese, herbs, and lemon.
Pomegranate Molasses Glaze
Amazing sweet-tart flavor alternative.
Smoked Paprika Christmas Salmon
Add color + smoky warmth.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I make it ahead?
Yes — assemble salmon and glaze separately, bake before serving.
Skin on or off?
Either works — skin helps retain moisture.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Thaw fully and pat dry before seasoning.
What temperature should salmon be?
125°F–130°F for medium; 145°F for well-done.
Can I grill it?
Yes — use foil to keep glaze in place.
Can I use dried herbs?
Yes — use ⅓ the amount of fresh.
Can I substitute cranberries?
Pomegranate or raspberry works well.
Is this good with side dishes?
Yes — mashed potatoes, wild rice, roasted veggies.
Can I make mini portions?
Yes — use salmon fillets and reduce baking time.
Can I use salmon steaks?
Yes — adjust baking time as needed.

🏁 Conclusion

This Christmas Herb-Crusted Salmon with Cranberry Citrus Glaze is festive, elegant, and bursting with holiday flavor — perfect for Christmas Eve, holiday gatherings, or a cozy seasonal dinner. With flaky salmon, aromatic herbs, and a jewel-like glaze, it’s a beautiful dish that tastes even better than it looks.
A joyful centerpiece for your holiday table.