Salmon recipe

I'm so excited to share this honey garlic glazed salmon recipe with you because it's become one of my absolute go-to weeknight dinners. You know that feeling when you're staring at the clock, the kids are hungry, and you have no idea what to make? This is my answer every single time.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
• Ingredients For This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
• How To Make Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
• Storage And Reheating Your Leftover Salmon
• Tips And Variations For Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
• Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
• Recipes You May Like
• Final Thoughts On This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe
• Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Here's what I love about it: honey garlic glazed salmon comes together in under 20 minutes, it tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did, and everyone at my table actually eats it without complaining. Alex used to be skeptical about fish, but one bite of this sticky, garlicky, sweet glaze and he was hooked. Sarah now asks for it at least twice a week, which honestly tells you everything you need to know.

The magic is in that sauce. It's simple—just honey, garlic, soy sauce, a touch of sriracha, and lemon juice—but when it hits that hot pan and caramelizes on top of the salmon, it becomes something special. I actually started making this recipe after trying something similar at a restaurant near our place here in Manhattan, and I was determined to recreate it at home. After a few attempts, I finally nailed it, and I've been making it ever since.

If you're looking for more quick weeknight proteins, you might love my quick garlic butter shrimp scampi recipe—it has that same garlicky flavor that my family goes crazy for, and it's just as fast to get on the table.

Why You Will Like This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

• Super quick: The whole thing takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you're juggling everything
• Simple ingredients: Just real salmon, a few pantry staples, and you've got dinner ready—no need to hunt down anything complicated
• Naturally sweet and savory: The honey creates this gorgeous glaze that's both sweet and salty, with just a tiny kick from the sriracha
• Looks fancy: Your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen when really you just smartly used your broiler
• Leftovers taste great: The salmon actually tastes even better the next day when the flavors have settled, which is rare for fish
• Works for company too: Don't save this just for weeknights—it's elegant enough to serve when you have guests over for dinner

Ingredients For This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

For the Salmon:

• 4 salmon filets (6 ounces each)
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (regular paprika works too)
• ¼ teaspoon blackening seasoning (this is optional but adds nice depth)

For the Honey Garlic Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is really important here)
• ½ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

A quick note on the salmon: I always choose wild-caught when I can find it, but honestly, whatever salmon your grocery store has is fine. Just make sure it's fresh or properly thawed if frozen. The skin-on option is totally up to you—I usually buy it with skin because it helps the filet stay together while cooking.

How To Make Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Step 1: Prepare Your Salmon

Pat your salmon filets completely dry with paper towels. I can't stress this enough because moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Season each filet generously with the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and blackening seasoning if you're using it. Set them aside on a plate while you get the sauce going.

Step 2: Get Your Oven Ready

Here's the important part: Move your oven rack to the middle position and turn on the broiler. I learned this the hard way when I first tried this recipe. If you broil from up high, the honey in the sauce will burn and taste bitter. Trust me on this one.

Step 3: Build The Honey Garlic Sauce

Add the butter and olive oil to a large, oven-safe skillet and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add your minced garlic and cook it for about 30 seconds—just enough to wake it up but not so long that it burns.

Pour in the water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice all at once. Stir everything together and let it heat through for about 30 seconds. The sauce should smell amazing at this point.

Step 4: Sear The Salmon

Gently place your seasoned salmon filets skin-side down into the hot sauce (if your salmon has skin). Let them cook undisturbed for exactly 3 minutes. While the salmon is cooking, use a spoon to baste the tops with that gorgeous sauce repeatedly. This is how you build the caramelized glaze everyone loves.

Step 5: Finish Under The Broiler

Carefully transfer your entire skillet to the oven under the broiler. Let the salmon cook for 5 to 6 minutes. About halfway through, open the oven, baste the salmon one more time with sauce, then let it finish cooking. You're looking for the edges to get caramelized and the salmon to flake easily when you test it with a fork.

Step 6: Plate And Enjoy

Take the skillet out of the oven (use an oven mitt—that handle is hot!) and garnish with fresh parsley if you have it. Serve the salmon with extra sauce spooned over the top. I usually serve mine with rice to soak up all that delicious sauce, but roasted vegetables work great too.

Storage And Reheating Your Leftover Salmon

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salmon actually tastes even better the next day because the flavors get a chance to meld together, which is unusual for fish but true in this case.

To reheat, I just gently warm it in a 325-degree oven for about 8 minutes, covered with foil so it doesn't dry out. You can also reheat it in a skillet over low heat with just a splash of water.

Tips And Variations For Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

If you want to skip the broiler: Absolutely, you can do this. Just follow the recipe through the searing step, then flip the salmon over and sear the other side for another 3 minutes. Remove it to a plate, make the sauce in the skillet, then add the salmon back in and spoon that glaze all over it. You'll still get an amazing result.

About that watery sauce: A few people have mentioned this happening, though honestly I've never had it occur. If your sauce seems too thin, reduce the water from 3 tablespoons to 2, or simmer the sauce a bit longer before adding the salmon.

Switching up the heat: If sriracha isn't your thing, use half the amount and add a pinch of cayenne pepper instead. Or skip the heat altogether if you're cooking for someone who prefers milder flavors.

Making it for a crowd: This recipe doubles easily. Just use a larger skillet or work in batches, and add a few extra minutes to the broiling time if you're cooking 8 filets instead of 4.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

How Do You Know When Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Is Fully Cooked?

The salmon should flake easily with a fork when it's done. The internal temperature should reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit if you want to use a thermometer. I usually just press the thickest part gently with my finger—if it flakes and releases a little moisture, it's ready. Don't overcook it or it gets dry, which defeats the whole purpose.

Can I Make Honey Garlic Salmon In A Pan Instead Of The Oven?

Yes, totally! Skip the broiler entirely and just pan-sear it all the way through. After you sear the first side for 3 minutes, flip it over, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes until it's cooked through. The sauce won't caramelize quite as much, but it'll still taste wonderful.

What If I Don't Have Sriracha Sauce On Hand?

You can use any hot sauce you like, or skip it completely and add more honey and lemon juice instead. I've done it with red pepper flakes, jalapeño slices, or even a dash of hot paprika. It's really flexible.

What Side Dishes Go Best With Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon?

I serve mine with jasmine rice because you want something to catch all that incredible sauce. Roasted asparagus, green beans, or broccoli all work beautifully. A simple salad on the side is perfect too if you want something lighter. Sarah actually prefers it with mashed potatoes, which I never expected but now I make it that way for her.

Recipes You May Like

If you love this honey garlic glazed salmon recipe, you'll probably enjoy these other quick, flavorful proteins:

• Sweet And Spicy Honey Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry For Dinner Delight — Same honey garlic magic but with shrimp, and it comes together even faster
• Quick Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi — Another fast seafood option that feels restaurant-quality but happens at home
• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs — If you want to stick with the broiler method but try a different protein, this is perfect

Final Thoughts On This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

Honestly, this honey garlic glazed salmon has become my secret weapon for those nights when I need something that looks like I actually planned ahead. It's one of those recipes that feels fancy enough to serve when people are coming over, but it's simple enough that I'll make it on a random Tuesday when I'm too tired to think creatively.

The sticky, caramelized glaze is what makes it special. That balance of sweet from the honey, salty from the soy sauce, garlicky from six whole cloves, and just that tiny bit of heat from the sriracha—it all works together perfectly.

I hope you make this recipe soon and that your family loves it as much as mine does. Let me know in the comments how it turns out, or tell me what you serve it with. I always love hearing what people think, and I read every single comment you leave.

Print