Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon.
Salmon rubbed with a simple blend of brown sugar, dried orange peel, dried mustard powder, garlic powder, dried onion, paprika and salt, then baked until flaky. This is an easy, healthy and ridiculously delicious way to serve salmon.
This recipe was originally posted on March 21, 2015, but has been updated with new images.
We’ve been making this citrus rub salmon since 2015, if not before, and it never gets old.
I always buy more salmon than we’ll eat that night for dinner, so that we can have it for leftovers the next day – usually those leftovers are perfect for lunch or a super quick repeat dinner the next night. But, other times, like in this case, you can make a completely unique and special meal – so it doesn’t seem like you’re eating “leftovers” at all.
Tell me more about this Sweet Citrus and Spice Rub:
I created this (very simple) homemade rub for the salmon because my all time favorite McCormick rub, Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon Rub (below), was discontinued back in 2015. Before it was discontinued, I bought a case of it online. It was that good. That case was gone very quickly.
This copy-cat sweet citrus and spice rub is a combination of:
- Brown sugar
- Dried orange peel
- Dried mustard powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried onion
- Paprika
- Kosher salt
On the right is the original McCormick salmon rub. On the left is my copy-cat. It took a few tries to get the ratios just right. This homemade version comes pretty darn close to the real deal.
This Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon can be served with any roasted seasonal veggies and brown rice or overtop a seasonal salad with whole grain rolls.
Below are the salmon patties we love to make with any leftover salmon.
Here’s how to make this baked salmon recipe:
Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs salmon fillet, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried orange peel
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425. Combine spices together.
- Sprinkle generously over fish and let sit 10 minutes (you won’t use all the rub, so save the remainder for next time).
- Place salmon on a tinfoil lined baking sheet and bake 10-12 minutes, until desired doneness (we like ours a bit rosey in the middle).
Nutrition
And the Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon Sliders:
Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon Sliders
Ingredients
- 12 ounces salmon fillets (leftovers from Sweet Citrus and Spice Salmon), flaked into pieces
- 1/2 cup plain panko breadcrumbs (gives the patties that nice crispy crust)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt OR reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon olive oil for frying
- 4 whole wheat slider buns
- 4 Bibb lettuce leaves
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl combine salmon, egg and breadcrumbs. Shape into 4 patties.
- Heat a sauté pan on medium high with 1 tsp olive oil. When pan is hot, add patties.
- Cook 2-3 minutes until lightly browned on the underneath, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Spread yogurt or cream cheese on top half of each bun and add a lettuce leaf to each bottom bun. Add one salmon slider to each bun.
- Serve.
Nutrition
PIN this simple Salmon recipe for later:
Deb Megan
May 25, 2021 6:48 pmWould you be able to do a copy car recipe for the McCormick seafood tub, herb with lemon?
Thank you!
Jenny Rawn
June 3, 2021 4:37 pm@Deb, I will try! Did they discontinue the McCormick rub?
Marcy
June 27, 2021 3:15 pmFor the dried onion, did you use dried minced onions or onion powder?
Jenny Rawn
June 28, 2021 4:44 pm@Marcy, I used dried minced onion. Hope you enjoy the salmon, please let me know if you do!
Colleen
August 8, 2022 2:07 pmI can’t wait to try this! This was my favorite salmon rub and I am so sad they discontinued it. It was so good! I still have a jar in the cabinet but was looking for a copycat recipe. Thank you so much for this! I will try to make it this week and report back.
Jenny Rawn
August 16, 2022 1:33 am@Colleen, Oh you are lucky you still have a jar! It really was the best. I’m curious to hear how you like this one – it comes pretty close to the real thing. Thanks for stopping by!
Chris
February 14, 2023 7:09 amI also loved the McCormick Salmon Rub. Finding your recipe gives me hope! I can’t find “dried brown mustard.” I can find dried mustard powder that is yellow, and brown mustard seeds. But, no dried brown mustard.
Jenny Rawn
February 14, 2023 10:05 pm@Chris – hope you like this rub, it is soooo close to the McCormick version. Yes, use the dried mustard powder – that’s the one! McCormick has mini jars of it. Hope this helps!
Oliver H.
November 6, 2023 11:39 pmI had all the ingredients on hand except the onion powder and the Dijon, but I had Horseradish mustard. Spread some on the salmon and added the mixture. This was delicious! Thank you! I was looking for recipes with dried orange peel.
Jenny Rawn
November 7, 2023 2:15 pm@Oliver- so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Salmon + dried orange peel sure if a great combo.