Our simple Traeger Orange Salmon recipe uses a handful of fresh ingredients to elevate salmon into a bright, aromatic main course. The gentle smoke from a pellet grill adds depth and a hint of wood-fired flavor to the fish, while garlic, citrus zest, and a light citrus glaze finish each fillet with balanced brightness. Serve it as a centerpiece, flake it over a salad, or tuck it into a sandwich or wrap for a satisfying meal.
Traeger Orange Salmon Recipe
Few things beat a perfectly cooked piece of fresh salmon. When sourced well and cooked with care, salmon delivers a rich, silky texture and a flavor that pairs beautifully with citrus and herbs. If possible, choose wild-caught Pacific salmon—Coho (Silver) or Chinook (King)—for their distinctive taste and texture, but any high-quality fresh salmon will work.
Chinook typically has a higher fat content, which gives it a buttery mouthfeel, while Coho is leaner but still flavorful. The natural diet of salmon—small fish, shrimp, and krill—contributes to its color and nuanced taste. If wild-caught options aren’t available locally, many reputable suppliers ship fresh or flash-frozen fish; choose suppliers with transparent sourcing and good reviews.
This recipe highlights the fish rather than masking it. A simple seasoning blend of garlic paste, lemon pepper, orange zest, and fresh orange juice creates a bright, garlicky crust that complements the smoke from the pellet grill. The result is approachable, quick, and reliably delicious.
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Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, gather the basics. Exact quantities and full instructions appear in the recipe card below.
- Salmon fillets
- Garlic paste
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Orange zest
- Fresh orange juice
- Cooking spray or a light oil
Explore other Salmon Recipes for more ideas!
How To Make This Recipe
This overview gives you the basic steps so you know what to expect. Follow the full, detailed recipe card below when you cook.
- Preheat – Heat your pellet grill to 350°F (175°C).
- Prep – Combine garlic paste, lemon pepper, orange zest, and a small amount of orange juice to form the seasoning paste. Lightly oil or spray a quarter-sheet baking pan, place the fillets on the pan, and spread the seasoning over the top of each piece. Pour the remaining orange juice into the pan to keep the fish moist during cooking.
- Cook – Slide the pan into the preheated grill and smoke/roast for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches between 110°F and 125°F for medium-rare to medium doneness, depending on your preference.
- Serve – Let the salmon rest briefly, then serve hot. The bright citrus and gentle smoke make it ideal with greens, grilled vegetables, or a grain side.
Try these favorites: Traeger Grilled Salmon and other smoker-friendly fish recipes.
Recipe FAQ
Yes. If you don’t have a pellet grill, bake the salmon in an oven preheated to 350°F and follow the same approximate timing. You can also adapt single or double portions for an air fryer, reducing cook time slightly and checking doneness early.
Fish is best on the day it’s cooked, but if you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a little butter or olive oil over low heat to preserve texture. Alternatively, flake the salmon into eggs or a warm grain bowl for a second meal.
If you enjoy smoked salmon, explore other smoked and grilled variations.
Serve This With…
- Greek-style salad — crisp lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta.
- White wine sangria or another light, citrus-forward beverage.
- Grilled asparagus — simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
More Salmon Recipes
- Whole grilled salmon in foil
- Grilled salmon with specialty salt
- Togarashi salmon rice noodle bowl
- Cedar plank salmon
- Salmon sandwich or slider
- Honey garlic glazed salmon
- Foil packet salmon
- Grilled teriyaki salmon
- Salmon miso poke bowl
- Maple smoked salmon
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Traeger Orange Salmon
Moist, tender salmon fillets are finished on a pellet grill and dressed with a bright orange-garlic seasoning blend for a light, flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper blend
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ cup fresh orange juice, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet grill to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic paste, lemon pepper, orange zest, and 1 teaspoon of the orange juice to make a paste.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and gently spread the seasoning paste over the top of each fillet.
- Prepare a quarter-sheet baking pan with cooking spray or a light coating of oil. Arrange the fillets on the pan and pour the remaining orange juice into the pan to help keep the fish moist.
- Place the pan in the grill and cook for about 20–25 minutes. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer—salmon is often served medium-rare around 110°F–125°F depending on your preference.
- Remove from the grill and let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with additional orange zest or fresh herbs if desired.
Recommended Tools
- Turner or spatula suitable for fish
- Quarter-sheet pan
- Sharp thermometer to check internal temperature
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 526 • Total Fat: 32g • Saturated Fat: 6g • Unsaturated Fat: 23g • Cholesterol: 143mg • Sodium: 845mg • Carbohydrates: 6g • Fiber: 1g • Sugars: 3g • Protein: 51g
Nutrition data is an estimate.