A sweet and savory glaze makes this honey garlic salmon a standout. You’re minutes away from a light, healthy dinner—just add rice and veggies and you’re good to go!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: The salmon is seared on the stovetop and then baked to flaky perfection, with an irresistible honey glaze.
How long it takes: about 20 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: oven-safe skillet
Servings: 4
If you’re bored with chicken breasts and pork chops week after week, it’s time to up your weeknight dinner game by throwing salmon into the mix. Dishes like teriyaki salmon, orange-glazed salmon, and this honey garlic salmon come together with minimal effort, and the payoff is a delicious, healthy dinner!
Salmon works well with sweet sauces and glazes but you never want it too sweet. This honey garlic salmon has the perfect balance, with umami soy sauce and savory garlic (lots of it!) balancing the honey. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a hint of citrus, or leave it out. It’s up to you!
Reasons to Love Honey Garlic Salmon
- A healthy lean protein. Salmon is among the most nutritious foods you can add to your diet, with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and a number of important vitamins and minerals. We should all be eating more salmon and this honey garlic salmon recipe makes it easy!
- Dinner in 20 minutes. Seriously, how many dinners can you make in 20 minutes that don’t come from the freezer or a box?! Fish cooks quickly, which is why I love it for a weeknight meal.
- Sweet and savory flavor. The best combination! Honey, soy sauce, and garlic are whisked together to create the most flavorful glaze for this baked salmon recipe.
Ingredients You’ll need
- Salmon Fillets: You can make this recipe with skin-on or skinless salmon, so choose whichever option your family prefers.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, coarse ground black pepper, and paprika are rubbed over the salmon.
- Olive Oil: You’ll need just a bit of olive oil in the pan when you sear the honey garlic salmon on the stovetop.
- Garlic: There’s a lot of garlic in this recipe—it is honey garlic salmon, after all! We use a generous amount to balance the sweetness.
- Honey: An everyday type of honey is fine here. The kind that comes in those adorable little plastic bears is perfect.
- Soy Sauce: You can substitute tamari for a gluten-free option, or use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching your sodium intake.
- Lemon Juice: This is optional, but it will give the glaze a hint of tangy citrus flavor.
- Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of spicy red pepper flakes give the sauce a bit of tingly heat! If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can omit it altogether.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley or Green Onions: For an optional garnish.
How to make Honey Garlic Salmon
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Make the glaze by whisking together the garlic, honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice (if using) in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl.
Season the salmon. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, then season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and paprika; season both sides for skinless fillets and the flesh side for skin-on fillets.
Sear the salmon. Set an oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil to pan and place the salmon fillets in skillet, skin side up (if you’re using skin-on). Sear for 3 minutes, then remove from the heat and flip the fillets.
Cooking Tip
After searing the salmon, it should release fairly easily from pan. If not, cook it for another minute or two.
Add the glaze and bake. Pour the glaze over the salmon, then place the skillet in the oven and bake the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Garnish and serve. Remove the skillet from the oven, then garnish the honey garlic salmon with parsley and green onions, if desired. Plate and drizzle with sauce from the skillet.
It’s better to bake salmon fillets at 400ºF, as this gives the salmon a nice color and crisps up the skin if you’ve left it on.
The best way to know when salmon is done is to use an instant-read thermometer to confirm that it has reached 145ºF. The next best way is to use a fork to flake the salmon; if it flakes, rather than feeling hard or mushy, the salmon is done.
How to make this Salmon Recipe your own
- Try another acid. Instead of lemon juice, you can use orange juice or rice vinegar.
- Garnish with sesame seeds. White or black sesame seeds (or a combination of both!) add visual interest and texture to this honey garlic salmon.
- Swap in maple. Although I do love the honey in this recipe, you can also try making it with maple syrup for a different flavor.
What to Serve With Honey Garlic Salmon
Serve this honey garlic salmon over a cooked grain like rice or quinoa. Instant pot brown rice, Instant Pot white rice, and Instant Pot quinoa make it easy! To give your plain grains an upgrade, try coconut rice, fried rice, or cilantro lime rice.
If you prefer potatoes, try crispy parmesan potatoes or mashed red potatoes. A simple baked potato is always welcome, too. Did you know that air fryer baked potatoes turn out really well, too, and in much less time?
Add a veggie side or salad. Try cabbage salad, air fryer green beans, or roasted broccoli!
Refrigerate: Store leftover honey garlic salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Reheat leftover salmon in a skillet set over medium heat until it’s warmed through. You can add a splash of vegetable broth or water and cover the pan to keep the fillets moist.
Free Meal Plan
Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this easy salmon recipe? Take a look at Meal Plan #51. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. We add a new meal plan weekly.
More Salmon Recipes
Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for a citrusy twist)
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin-on or skinless
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine garlic, honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice if using.
- Pat salmon dry with paper towels and season both sides of the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and paprika on both sides. If you’re using skin-on salmon, season the flesh side.
- Heat oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan or enough to lightly cover the bottom of the skillet. Place salmon fillets in skillet, skin side up (if using skin-on), and sear for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and flip fillets over. Salmon should release fairly easily from pan. If not, cook it a minute or two longer.
- Pour sauce mixture over salmon in skillet. Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes (until internal temperature reaches 145°F or desired temperature). Baking time will vary depending on thickness of fillets. Carefully remove skillet from oven (remember handle is hot).
- Serve the honey garlic salmon hot over rice, quinoa, or your favorite side dishes. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the salmon just before serving. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish, if desired.
Notes
- Storage & reheating tips: Refrigerate salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet set over medium heat until it’s warmed through. Add a splash of vegetable broth or water and cover the pan to keep the fillets moist while they reheat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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