Honey Glazed Salmon
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The contrast of savory, flaky salmon with the sweet, floral notes of honey makes for the most delicious bite. This honey-glazed salmon delivers the goods: honey complements the salmon perfectly without overpowering it, and caramelizes slightly for a delicate glaze. Oh, and it’s a one-pan meal that takes just 20 minutes!
This honey-glazed salmon is one of those dinners that feels impressive while secretly being very easy to make. The salmon cooks in a single pan and gets coated in a glossy honey glaze that’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and just a little tangy from the lime. It’s the kind of quick dinner that tastes like something you’d order at a seafood restaurant but comes together faster than takeout.
The glaze is what makes this recipe so good. Honey gives it a sticky caramelized finish, while soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and lime balance everything with savory depth and bright flavor. A little sriracha adds gentle heat if you want it, and the sauce thickens beautifully in the pan, coating every piece of salmon.
I especially love this recipe with steelhead fillets that get perfectly golden around the edges while staying tender and flaky in the middle. Finished with fresh cilantro, chives, or a squeeze of lime, it’s simple, fresh, and packed with flavor.
Tips for making honey glazed salmon
Serving up a fancy salmon dinner is easier than you think, especially when armed with these tips!
- Quality: Starting with good quality salmon will give the best flavor and texture. Fresh salmon will always taste, well, a bit fresher! Frozen will work, if fresh salmon isn’t available where you live – the glaze is so delicious it will taste good on anything. The same goes for a good quality honey. Check your grocery store or chat with your fishmonger.
- Pat-dry: Patting the salmon dry before cooking helps to draw out any excess moisture, and will also allow the glaze to coat the salmon better.
- Overcrowding: To prevent steaming, ensure your salmon fillets have enough space in the pan. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Baste: Spooning the honey glaze over the salmon as it cooks not only covers it with flavor but also keeps it moist.
What to serve with honey glazed salmon
Honey garlic salmon works as a quick, flavorful meal on busy weeknights, but is impressive enough to serve for date nights, too!
Round out the meal with veggies – the honey glaze is perfect for spooning over a side of steaming basmati rice or smoky roast potatoes. For a side, try my sauteed green beans.
Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
The Salmon
- 4 6-ounce salmon fillets
- ½ teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper
- 1 tablespoon EACH: butter and avocado oil (or another neutral-flavored oil)
Instructions
- Season the top of the salmon fillets with paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper.4 6-ounce salmon fillets, ½ teaspoon EACH: sweet paprika, garlic granules, salt, and pepper
- In a small bowl, mix the honey, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and if using sriracha.¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons EACH: lime juice and soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon sriracha
- Heat the butter and oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the salmon to the pan, seasoned side facing down. Sear the salmon for 3-4 minutes, until it is golden.1 tablespoon EACH: butter and avocado oil
- Flip the salmon over and pour the sauce into the pan. Let the sauce boil until the salmon is cooked, about 3 minutes more. See notes.
- OPTIONAL: if you'd like a thicker glaze, plate the salmon and then boil the sauce hard for 2-3 minutes to thicken it up.
- Serve the salmon with some lime wedges on the side and minced cilantro or minced chives over top.Lime wedges and minced cilantro or minced chives
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our dinner ideas!
Just finished dinner. That was absolutely delicious. I almost shouldn’t that good. My husband is in the back ground saying very very nice. More than nice. It almost shouldn’t be that esy for such fabulous flavour.
Thank you
Trik Childs
That made me smile, Trik! I’m so glad you both loved it—your husband’s review just made my day. Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can taste like you spent hours on it? Thanks for trying it and sharing this!
Delicious!!!