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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Best Salmon Marinade, Mediterranean Style

    Published: Mar 12, 2021 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    8559 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This salmon marinade features bright flavors and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. You can use this marinade for baked or grilled salmon. 

    Flaky salmon made with an easy and healthy marinade.

    Salmon is our favorite fish and we try to have it at least once a week. Our easy baked salmon with lemon and broiled salmon are weeknight staples and everyone loves this simple Mediterranean style Dijon salmon that’s bursting with flavor in every bite. We're prepared to argue that today's recipe is quite possibly the best salmon marinade ever made. Read through for tips, notes and a how-to video. Make sure to check out our salmon recipes, they're so delicious!

    Table Of Contents:
    • Cooking salmon at home
    • A marinade with a Mediterranean twist!
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Notes and tips
    • More Salmon Recipes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Cooking salmon at home

    Salmon is an easy fish to work with. It’s juicy and flavorful, which makes it a family favorite. Better yet, it's available at just about any supermarket. There are so many ways to cook salmon. Some common recipes are baked salmon, pan seared salmon and grilled salmon kebabs.

    When it comes to wild caught vs farmed salmon, it’s always best to shop for wild caught since it has better flavor and is healthier.  

    A marinade with a Mediterranean twist!

    I love marinating salmon before cooking it because it makes the fish more tender and also brings out great flavors. This easy homemade marinade for salmon is made with ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and the best part is that you have control over what goes into your marinade. This means no extra sugar, preservatives or additives! 

    A good marinade is made with a few components:

    • Extra virgin olive oil: You need some kind of oil to make the marinade. Extra virgin olive oil is a smart choice because of all its health benefits. You can also use avocado oil. 
    • Honey: You definitely want a source of sweetness. Honey is a good option here because the sweetness is not overpowering. 
    • Lemon: An acidic component adds so much brightness to the marinade and ultimately to the dish you’re cooking. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is an easy and flavorful choice. However, oranges are also common and can work well. You can check out my orange glazed salmon recipe, it's so good!
    • Spices and flavors: This recipe uses a few simple spices such as salt, black pepper and Aleppo pepper since the marinade already has a lot of flavor and we don’t want the flavors to get mixed and lose their character. Garlic is also a very good addition to this marinade. 
    • Herbs: This is where all the Mediterranean flavor lies. Dried dill and oregano work well for this salmon marinade. You can also use fresh herbs if you have some on hand. 
    to make salmon marinade you need salmon, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, spices and herbs.

    Instructions

    Marinated salmon has so much flavor and making it is so easy. Just complete two simple steps and your salmon dinner is ready!

    Marinate the salmon

    In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, dill and spices. Pour the marinade over the salmon and let it marinate.  You can let it sit for as little as thirty minutes or as long as four hours.

    A side of salmon marinated in a homemade Mediterranean style marinade.

    Bake in the oven

    Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the marinated salmon on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the salmon is flaky and cooked through. 

    Bake the salmon in the oven for 20 minutes or until it's fully cooked.

    Serving suggestions

    I served this Mediterranean style marinated baked salmon with a quick tomato salad made with tomatoes, red onion, parsley and mint. Other side dish suggestions include:

    • Fasolakia (Green green beans)
    • Mediterranean salad
    • Greek salad 
    • Turkish white bean salad 
    • Instant pot brown rice 
    • Greek potatoes 
    • Mediterranean oven roasted vegetables

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I use garlic powder instead of garlic cloves?

    For this particular marinade I don't advise using garlic powder because it won't add as much flavor as garlic cloves do.

    Can I grill this marinated salmon?

    Yes. Turn the grill on to medium high. Place a grill mat on the grates and place the marinated salmon skin side down on the mat. Grill for 5-7 minutes. Flip and grill until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily, about 5 more minutes.

    Can I freeze marinated salmon?

    Salmon is very tender and if marinated and then frozen, it can break and become mushy because of the acidic components. It's best to marinate salmon 30 minutes before cooking.

    Notes and tips

    • Salmon is very tender, so it’s best to marinate it for one to four hours. Since this marinade has lemon juice which is an acidic component, marinating for more than four hours might break the flesh and affect the texture. 
    • You can add other spices and herbs to this marinade such as coriander, cumin or thyme.
    • Don’t overcook! This is a common mistake when it comes to cooking salmon. Perfectly cooked salmon flakes easily but is juicy and not dry at all. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking salmon until it reaches the temperature of 145°F.
    You can serve this marinated baked salmon with a quick tomato salad.

    More Salmon Recipes

    • Mediterranean Baked Dijon Salmon Recipe [Video]
    • Pan Seared Salmon Recipe
    • Baked Salmon Fillet with Lemon and Garlic
    • Oven Baked Salmon with Olives and Capers

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Best Salmon Marinade Mediterranean Style

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    This salmon marinade features bright flavors and doesn't require a long list of ingredients. You can use this marinade for baked or grilled salmon. 
    4.63 from 48 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 503 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lb salmon
    • 2 lemon juice of
    • 4 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 6 cloves garlic sliced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Instructions
     

    • Pat dry the salmon and place it on a baking sheet or a container.
    • In a bowl mix lemon juice, olive oil, honey, sliced garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, dill and red pepper flakes. Pour the marinade over salmon.
    • Cover and refrigerate to marinade for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
    • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or coat it with non stick cooking spray.
    • Take the salmon out of the fridge and transfer it to the baking sheet.
    • Bake the salmon in the oven for 20 minutes. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily and is opaque.
    • Serve with a side salad.

    Video

    Notes

    • Salmon is very tender therefore it’s best to marinade it for one to four hours. Since this marinade has lemon juice which is an acidic component, marinating for more than four hours might break the salmon and affect the texture. 
    • Salmon is very versatile and there are different methods of cooking you can use to make marinated salmon. Baking, grilling and roasting work best for marinated salmon. 
    • You can add other spices and herbs to this marinade such as coriander or thyme.
    • Don’t overcook! This is a common mistake when it comes to cooking salmon. Perfectly cooked salmon flakes easily but is juicy and not dry at all. The USDA recommends cooking salmon until it reaches the temperature of 145°F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 503kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 46gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 398mgPotassium: 1204mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 179IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
    « Mediterranean Baked Dijon Salmon Recipe [Video]
    Persian Style Shrimp and Rice (Meygoo Polo) »
    8559 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ieva

      June 16, 2022 at 10:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of our favourite marinades for salmon! Just the perfect balance of sweet and savoury! Would recommend it to anyone!

      Reply
    2. Taylor

      February 26, 2022 at 7:30 am

      5 stars
      This was the best salmon I've ever had! The dill and lemon in the marinade gives the salmon an amazing flavor. My whole family loved it! Can't wait to make it again.

      Reply
    3. D

      November 03, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      Please clarify the amount of lemon juice needed

      Reply
      • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

        November 04, 2021 at 9:05 pm

        Juice of one lemon would be sufficient 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jessica Formicola

      March 03, 2021 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love Mediterranean flavors, so I can't wait to try this salmon marinade! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Andrea Metlika

      March 03, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      We are big fans of Mediterranean flavors and salmon. Which makes this a perfect dish for us. Can't wait to taste it!

      Reply
    6. Michelle | Sift & Simmer

      March 03, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      We love salmon and this version with the Mediterranean flavours really hit the spot! Yum! Can't wait to make it again!

      Reply
    7. Claudia Lamascolo

      March 03, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      We eat salmon at least once a month and I am always looking for new recipes this is on the list to make soon!

      Reply
    8. Denay DeGuzman

      March 03, 2021 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      We made this delicious recipe last week. It really is an awesome salmon marinade! We'll be using it again this week as we observe the Lenten season.

      Reply
    9. Sophie Heath

      February 28, 2020 at 11:35 am

      5 stars
      This is the best Salmon dish I think I've tried in FOREVER! So delicious!!

      Reply
    10. Renee Goerger

      February 28, 2020 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      This is such an easy and delicious salmon recipe. I'm so happy I found it!

      Reply
      • Brandy

        February 25, 2022 at 11:41 pm

        5 stars
        This marinade is so much better than anything store bought! It was flavorful and the perfect addition to our salmon!

        Reply

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