Sticky sweet and garlicky, this glazed salmon recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, and in one pan. Hands down, the most addicting salmon ever!
This ultra easy salmon recipe is a winner when it comes to weeknight dinners! We love easy main dishes, like my Honey Lime Shrimp, and Blackened Tilapia Bowls. This is one of my Dinner recipes you’ll definitely want in your recipe rotation!
HONEY GARLIC SALMON RECIPE
Have you ever made a recipe that truly surprised you? Normally I’m not a huge salmon lover, but after one bite of this ultra tender salmon, I was absolutely in love. I literally did a little dance in the kitchen because I finally found a way that I can enjoy salmon!
We all know how nutritious salmon is… loaded with omega 3’s, high in protein and tons of vitamins, so I’m glad I can enjoy those benefits. And now, so can you!
You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack SO much flavor. Each bite is full of sweet and savory flavors and delicate textures.
HOW TO MAKE GLAZED SALMON
I know some people, myself included, worry about pan-searing a salmon filet, going to flip it over, and…. well now your beautiful filet is mangled and in several pieces.
For that reason, I kept this recipe simple… so simple in fact, that there is NO pan-searing. No flipping required.
- Pat salmon filets dry and season with spices on all sides.
- Heat butter and oil, then add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice.
- When hot, add salmon filets (skin side down if your filets have skin), and cook 3 minutes.
- While salmon cooks, use a spoon to baste the filets.
- Broil for 5-6 minutes, until salmon is sticky sweet, slightly charred, and cooked to desired doneness.
COOKING TIPS FOR SALMON RECIPES
- Buy good salmon – I prefer to buy fresh salmon from the grocery store, instead of frozen filets in bags, since those tend to be very thin. Cooking Light has a great article on how to pick the best salmon at the grocery store.
- Use it quickly – Salmon can go “off” or bad pretty quickly, so I prefer to buy my salmon no more than 1 day ahead of time.
- To skin or not to skin – if you decide to pan-sear your salmon, leave the skin on (and sear skin side first). The skin provides a layer of protection against the hot pan, and it’s a LOT easier to slide a spatula underneath crispy skin than underneath tender flesh. Plus, you’ll get crispy skin! To cook this recipe as written, it really doesn’t matter if your filets have skin or not.
- Don’t overcook – Salmon is prone to overcooking, and the line between not done enough and dry and overdone is pretty fine. The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F degrees. However, different people prefer their salmon to be more rare or more well-done, like a steak. To be on the safe-side, I stick to the USDA’s recommendation.
VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE
- Pan-Sear – if you’d prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan. Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate. Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through. Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- Bold Lemon – feel free to add lemon zest to the sauce, or even add a few slices of lemon to the pan while you cook and broil the salmon for a more bold lemon flavor.
- Try Lime – switch the lemon juice for lime juice for a slightly different flavor.
- Green Onions – I love to top these salmon filets with some sliced green onions for a different flavor twist.
MAKING HONEY GARLIC SALMON AHEAD OF TIME
I think this recipe tastes best when made right before eating, but you can whisk together the sauce ahead of time if you’d like.
However, this salmon recipe also tastes amazing cold, on top of a salad. So if that’s your intention, then yes, make it a few hours to a day ahead of time 🙂
STORAGE
Any leftover salmon should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3 days.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- 12″ wide skillet – I love this pan, and love that it’s oven and broiler safe (a must for one pan recipes).
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
SALMON
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon filets
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional)
SAUCE
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 Tbsp water
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry, then season with salt, pepper, paprika and blackening seasoning (if using). Set aside.
- IMPORTANT: Adjust oven rack to middle position, then preheat broiler. If you broil this with the rack up high the sauce will burn.
- Add butter and oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over MED-HIGH heat. Once butter is melted, add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice and cook 30 seconds or so, until sauce is heated through.
- Add salmon, skin side down (if using salmon with skin), and cook 3 minutes. While salmon cooks, baste frequently with sauce from the pan by spooning it over the top of the salmon.
- Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes, basting with sauce once during the broil, until salmon is caramelized and cooked to desired doneness.
- Garnish with minced parsley if desired.
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Chef Tips
- If you'd prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan. Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate. Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through. Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- A couple of readers have reported having a watery sauce, which I've never personally encountered during all the testing for this recipe. If you feel the sauce is a bit watery, you could reduce the amount of water used, or simmer the sauce a bit before adding the salmon.
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Tammy W. says
Loved this! Was concerned that the glaze would burn up in the broiler, but there was plenty to spoon over the fish. I will make this again and again!
Lynn says
Enjoyed! lots of company compliments from the guests and not too hard to cook. I baked for 3 minutes then broiled until I hit 140 degrees
Kat says
God bless you. Wow. This was the best ever. Are you Gordon Ramsey?
Nichole Smith says
This is one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever made. My family really enjoys this salmon and it is definitely on repeat. I don’t even broil it- I just keep basting in the pan and still turns out so good!
Anna says
This recipe is amazing! My husband isn’t a fan of salmon but said I should make this again!! Kids loved it too! I put the salmon in a rice bowl with sautéed zucchini, shredded carrots, scallions, and cucumber slices (with the sauce). So easy and no leftovers. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Mira says
This was delicious. I did not cook it in a pan first because my husband says it makes the house smell to fishes so I just did it all in the oven and it was perfection! My whole family loved it!
Cindy says
this was easy and delicious
Marsha Garrett says
Wonderful recipe! I didn’t have Sriracha so I substituted crystal hot sauce. This recipe will be used again and again!
Loretta says
Simply delicious and quite simple to make. I defrosted 2 salmon fillets but found one was enough for my spouse and me. We loved this salmon and look forward to eating the rest tomorrow. I’m going to share the recipe with my adult children.
Michelle says
Best recipe ever!
I’m sorry I haven’t made a comment before now, but I have had this recipe in my favorites for a very long time
I probably make this at least once (sometimes more) a month.
I actually make it so much that my son has complained that we need to try a different recipe
And I argue “ why bother with perfection?!” 😊
Usually, when I find a recipe online, I make modifications. This recipe is wonderful exactly as it says. No modifications necessary.
Thank you for sharing
Diane Vitale says
Delicious
Michele says
This was delicious exactly as written! Thanks for the great recipe!
Lindsay says
We’re in love with this. I’ve been making it for several years and it never gets old! Served over rice with roasted veggies on the side 🙂 It makes great leftovers, too!
Richard Richardson says
Good morning
I tried your recipe it came out really great,I would not change a thing except some people being diabetic as I’am can reduce the honey.
I liked the amount of the sauces that was made.it can be added to rice or a side of vegies.
Mel says
My husband doesn’t do spicy, he’s very sensitive to spice 😂 Can i leave out the siracha and still have great taste? Or is there a substitute I can use? Thank you!
The Chunky Chef says
You could leave it out, or try using a very small amount of a mild hot sauce.
Alicia Alderete says
Hi, I’m new to eating fish again. If I don’t want to broil can I just pan sear on both sides after I season with salt pepper and paprika?
mkmd says
WOW!! The easiest, most delicious recipe for salmon ever. I was skeptical that the flavors would permeate the fillet, but I was so wrong. I had used another recipe that called for marinating the fillets for a few hours and it was close to this, but this much more flavorful and infinitely easier. The only thing we changed(accidentally) was to leave out the water. I don’t think it changed anything. I served this with Barilla high protein spaghetti. Between the two portions of entree and side, my hubby and I got over 40 grams of protein.