The fuss-free centrepiece that makes you look like you tried (but didn’t really)
🎄 The Christmas Main That Won’t Make You Sweat
Here’s the thing about Christmas lunch: everyone wants something wow, but no one wants to spend their whole Christmas morning elbow-deep in a bird the size of a toddler.
Enter: Honey Citrus Glazed Baked Salmon — the festive showstopper for people who like their mains gorgeous, flavourful, and on the table in under half an hour.
This is the recipe I lean on when I need a “Christmas hero” dish that feeds a crowd and lets me actually enjoy the day. It’s bright, fresh, summery, and so easy you’ll wonder why anyone still tries to wrestle with a roast turkey in December.
🌞 Why This Salmon Works for Aussie Christmas
- It’s light and summery — perfect for warm weather.
- It looks like you catered.
- No need to carve anything (thank goodness).
- It pairs with literally every side you can think of.
- Cooks in ONE tray. One.
- Leftovers = incredible cold salad the next day.
And yes, you can easily scale this up or down — serve two people, or feed 12 with two trays. Your call.
🍊 Honey Citrus Glazed Baked Salmon
Serves: 6–8 as part of a shared lunch
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15–18 minutes
Difficulty: “Christmas morning with coffee” easy
🛒 Ingredients
🎣 For the Salmon
- 1 side of salmon (1–1.2 kg), skin on
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
🍊 For the Honey Citrus Glaze
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 orange, juiced (and zested if you want extra citrus punch)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Optional: ½ tsp chilli flakes for warmth
🍽 For Serving & Garnish
- Orange slices
- Lemon slices
- Fresh dill or parsley
- Pomegranate seeds (the festive sparkle!)
- Extra honey drizzle
👩🍳 Method
1. Preheat & Prep
Heat your oven to 200°C (fan).
Line a baking tray with baking paper (because you deserve an easy clean-up).
2. Place the Salmon
Lay the salmon skin-side down. Pat dry. Whisper sweet affirmations to it if needed — this fish is about to be your Christmas hero.
3. Mix the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk together:
honey + mustard + orange juice + lemon juice + garlic + soy + chilli flakes.
Taste it. Smile. It should be sweet, zesty, and irresistible.
4. Brush the Salmon Generously
Pour or brush the glaze over the salmon. Allow it to puddle around the edges — this sauce is basically culinary gold.
5. Add Citrus Slices
Lay orange and lemon slices over the top like little edible Christmas baubles.
6. Bake
Cook for 15–18 minutes, depending on thickness.
The salmon should flake easily but still be moist and blush in the centre.
Let rest 5 minutes out of the oven.
7. Finish With Flair
Slide onto a serving platter.
Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs.
Add an extra drizzle of honey if you’re feeling fancy (I always am).
🍽 What to Serve It With
This salmon is the queen of flexibility. Try pairing it with:
- A crisp green salad with avocado & cucumber
- Roasted chat potatoes
- A summer quinoa salad
- Charred asparagus or green beans
- Mango salsa (trust me on this one)
If you’re making a full spread, link it with your Aussie Summer Grazing Platter or Festive Fruit & Cheese Wreath — the colours together are chef’s kiss.
🧊 Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Great cold! This is one of those magical dishes that tastes just as good (maybe better?) the next day.
- Leftover ideas:
- Toss into a leafy salad
- Break into a wrap with yoghurt + dill
- Add to a cold pasta salad
- Stir into brown rice with lemon and herbs
🎁 Plan4One Christmas Gifting Tip
Portion leftover salmon into small reusable containers with a fresh wedge of lemon and gift it as a “Boxing Day Lunch Saver.”
People LOVE this — especially the hungover cousins who “forgot to bring food”.
🎣 Make It a Solo Meal
If you’re celebrating Christmas your way (solo, small, or chilled), just pick up a 200–250g salmon fillet and halve the glaze ingredients.
Still festive. Zero waste. Maximum smugness.
🎄 Final Thoughts
This honey citrus glazed salmon is the perfect balance of breezy and beautiful — the kind of Christmas main that makes the whole table go “ohhhhhh” while you quietly think, that took me 12 minutes…
It’s fresh, colourful, and guaranteed to earn you MVP of Christmas lunch.
👉 Your Turn!
Will this be your Christmas centrepiece this year?
Tell me how you serve your salmon — or snap a pic and tag #Plan4One so we can drool over your festive feast!
