Honey Glazed Salmon
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Why is honey so good on salmon?! 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!
Sticky, sweet, garlicky honey glazed salmon is the kind of meal that feels like a win every time. It’s made in one pan, with no baking required, and hits the table faster than your favorite restaurant can deliver.
Sweet honey, tart lime, zesty ginger, and savory garlic come together in a glossy sauce that coats the salmon in big, bold flavor. It’s simple, fast, and completely irresistible.
Ingredients needed
Honey glazed salmon is made from a handful of natural ingredients that taste amazing – it has to be one of the best salmon recipes! This is what you need:
- Salmon: If Steelhead fillets are available to you, get those! Otherwise, any salmon fillets will work as a treat.
- Other ingredients: Sweet paprika, garlic granules, salt, pepper, butter, avocado oil (or another neutral-flavored oil).
- Honey glaze for salmon: Honey, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic cloves. Sriracha is optional depending on if you’d like a spicy kick!
- To garnish: Lime wedges and minced cilantro, or minced chives (sliced green onions work, too!)
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.
- Pin bones: Even though most supermarket salmon is boneless, it’s always wise to run your fingers over the surface to double check for pin bones. If you find any, pull them out, using kitchen tweezers if needed.
- 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.
- Skin: Keeping the skin on your salmon is totally personal choice! See the FAQs for tips on removing salmon skin.
- 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.
- Cooking time: Salmon cooks quickly, so keep an eye on the time and use an instant read thermometer when needed.
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 cauliflower rice and sauteed green beans or spicy honey roasted carrots. Make some smoky roast potatoes on the side, or some miso butter roasted radishes for a lighter option. Add a crisp salad, like a broccoli and kale salad.
Recipe FAQs
How do I store leftover honey glazed salmon?
Salmon is one of those dishes that just tastes better when it is fresh, so cook it when you intend to enjoy it! If you do have leftovers, storage is best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can either gently reheat leftover salmon or enjoy it cold on top of a crisp salad – it’s delicious!
You can also freeze leftovers if needed, thawing in the fridge a day before you wish to enjoy them.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes! Omit the sriracha if you don’t want any heat. If you like it spicy, add it to the glaze or sprinkle red pepper flakes over top.
Can I make honey glazed salmon on the grill or in the oven?
This recipe is for stovetop preparation, but the flavors will work with other cooking methods as well. If you’re grilling your salmon, you won’t be able to pour the glaze over it, so marinade it instead. If you’re baking your salmon, put the salmon filets in a baking dish and pour the glaze over. The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork, and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do I know the salmon is cooked?
The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork. An instant-read thermometer is a great tool to check if salmon (and other meats) are cooked to your liking. The FDA recommends cooking salmon to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This is well-done and the salmon will be a bit dry at this temperature. We prefer tender and juicy salmon cooked medium, or 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
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!!!