Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and saves you from a painful dishwashing session later.

Season the Salmon

Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Nothing fancy here. Simple seasoning lets the glaze shine.

Make the Cranberry Orange Glaze

Grab a small saucepan and combine:

cranberries

orange juice

orange zest

honey

minced garlic

Cook over medium heat for about 5–7 minutes. The cranberries will start popping and softening, creating a bright red sauce.

If you want the glaze thicker, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water and stir it in.

Bake the Salmon

Slide the salmon into the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes.

Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. The fish should flake easily with a fork when it’s ready.

Add the Glaze

Remove the salmon from the oven and spoon the warm cranberry orange glaze over each fillet.

Let it sit for a minute so the flavors settle in. Trust me—it’s worth the tiny wait.