Salmon Marinade with Citrus and Pineapple

This super easy pineapple and citrus salmon marinade is a great way to give a fresh, tropical taste to your fish! Plus, the vibrant flavors make it a family favorite!

Note: This post was updated with new content on January 7, 2019.

I don’t know about you, but after the holidays I want food that is bright and fresh. This quick and easy salmon marinade is just that. Plus, it doesn’t have to be restricted to just salmon recipes. It is delicious on pretty much anything; pork, beef, chicken, veggies, you name it! Make a double batch and try it on everything!

Can Salmon Marinate Overnight?

Since salmon (and really all seafood) is so delicate, I don’t recommend marinating overnight. It won’t become inedible if you do, but if you marinate the salmon for longer than one hour it changes the texture. Especially with this marinade recipe because it is so high in acid. As a rule of thumb, any time you are dealing with a high-acid marinade, you should cut the marinating time in half. My best results come from using the salmon marinade for fifteen minutes.

Ways To Cook This Marinated Salmon

This is the best salmon marinade ever because it works for every cooking method.  If you’re cooking the salmon on the grill, it develops a subtle sweet and smoky flavor. (Plus, who doesn’t love grilled salmon?)  

You can bake the salmon skin side down in a 450°F oven for about 13-14 minutes or until the salmon is done.

You can even make glazed salmon by mixing unused salmon marinade with a little brown sugar or honey (4:1 ratio). Brush it over the grilled fish before serving for a sweet, tropical flavor.

Really, no matter what your favorite cooking method is, this salmon marinade is the best.

Tips For A Perfect Salmon Marinade

If you want to make this salmon marinade like a sauce-boss, then here are some culinary proficiencies I recommend brushing up on.

• How To Marinate.  This explains what is necessary for making your salmon tender as well flavorful.
• How To Buy & Store Citrus.  I hate wasting money on produce that goes bad. Find out what to look for at the store and how to keep it fresh once it’s home.
• Basic Guide To Citrus Juicers.  Get the most out of your citrus by finding the best juicer for you!
• How To Purée.  For using fresh pineapple in the marinade.

What To Marinade Salmon In

One of the great things about this salmon marinade is that it stores really well. Whether you made more than you needed, or you want to prep-ahead for another day, this recipe is perfect for being kept at the ready. If you think you’ll use it quickly, it can last in the fridge for up to a week. If you think it will be a few weeks until you can use it, it will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. Freezing liquids can be tricky, so I recommend putting a batch in a tightly sealed freezer bag then laying it flat to freeze. This will make multiple batches super easy to stack. Plus, it takes up less space in your freezer. Don’t forget to label it though!

Once you are ready to use your salmon marinade, place the salmon in a plastic bag or small bowl and cover it with the marinade. If it is submerged, you don’t have to worry about flipping it. If you’re using a plastic bag, you’ll use less of the salmon marinade than a bowl. Just use enough to make a thin layer around the salmon. If you roll the bag down and clip it with a chip clip, it will keep the marinade from moving away from the salmon.

Pineapple and Citrus Salmon Marinade Recipe

If you can, I highly recommend using fresh pineapple instead of juice for this recipe. All you need to do is purée the fruit in a blender or food processor before adding it. The fresh fruit will give a much brighter and fresher flavor than store-bought juice (especially if it’s frozen or concentrate).

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Want a free printable grocery list for this salmon marinade recipe? Get it HERE.

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Use this grocery list to help simplify shopping. Everything is listed in standard grocery store amounts. If no size is specified, even the smallest package will provide more than enough.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

If you would like to try some other marinade recipes, I recommend:

• Tomato Basil Marinade
• Pork Chop Marinade of Many Mustards
• Fennel & Orange Marinade
• White Wine & Herbs Marinade

Happy Cooking! 🙂