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!ย We love easy main dishes, like my Honey Lime Shrimp, and Blackened Tilapia Bowls.ย This is one of myย Dinnerย recipes youโll definitely want in your recipe rotation!
HONEY GARLIC SALMON RECIPE
Have you ever made a recipe that truly surprised you?ย Normally I’m not a huge salmon lover, but after one bite of this ultra tender salmon, I was absolutely in love.ย 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.ย And now, so can you!
You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack SO much flavor.ย 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.ย 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.ย 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).ย 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.ย Plus, you’ll get crispy skin!ย 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.ย The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F degrees.ย ย However, different peopleย prefer their salmon to be more rare or more well-done, like a steak.ย 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.ย Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate.ย Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through.ย Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- Bold Lemonย – 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.ย So if that’s your intention, then yes, make it a few hours to a day ahead of time ๐
STORAGE
Any leftover salmon should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3 days.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- 12โณ wide skilletย โ 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 READERSโ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DONโT FORGET, IF YOUโVE 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.ย Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate.ย Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through.ย 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.
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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.
Cindy Tennimon says
Turned out fantastic! Love the flavor profiles.
Aurielle says
I absolutely love this recipe! I will be making it again and again!
Leanna says
We love this recipe!
Nick says
Easy and delicious! We make this all the time and the kids tear it up
Angela Akins says
I did this recipe and loved and fell in love with it. ๐You get a 10 in my book. Love love doing your recipes, thanks for your passion of cooking and sharing with me. Oh yeah it was my first time making it and nailed it like you
Vhonda L Christian says
I made this last night and I LOVED IT. I don’t remember ever making salmon at home but I’d order it at restaurants occasionally. I saw this recipe and decided I had to try it. Boy and I glad I did. It’s so so good. I followed the recipe to a T and I encourage anyone reading this to do the same. You will be glad you did.
bruce evans says
the sauce was fantastic, but it totally overpowered the salmon. I saw in comments people stated they didn’t like salmon but liked this. I couldn’t tastse the salmon either. I loved the sauce and will try it with venison
Mark O'Sullivan says
Amanda- Tried your Garlic-Honey glazed salmon. Very tasty. Next time I will reduce the sauce prior to painting it on the fish. Otherwise, you hit a homerun. I was trying to get some ideas for something different. So glad I found your page. I am a former restauant chef who has studied at the Cordon Bleu. So this is high praise.
Annette Giberson says
This was absolutely scrumptious! I followed the recipe to a “T” but did not have srirachi so I did not use it.
Next time for sure….and there will definitely be a next time!!
CindyLou says
This is THE BEST salmon recipe I have EVER tasted!!! EASY to make and SO DELICIOUS!! Even my โI donโt like fishโ friends loved it!!
Hannah says
My go-to salmon recipe!! LOVE IT. My mom thought she didn’t like salmon until she had this, and now it’s her favorite food ๐
Elisa R Owen says
Mine didn’t come out the way yours did, it didn’t thicken up so Im not sure what I did wrong. But very good taste. I am going to try again.
The Chunky Chef says
Hmm did you make any substitutions or change any of the measurements? Mine has always thickened up from being cooked on the stove and then the broiler. Glad you loved the taste though!
Mary says
EXCELLENT !!! I am a very picky salmon eater donโt really like it but if made well I will eat . You nailed it !
Jackie D says
We followed your Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon recipe this evening. We had just received a fresh salmon shipment from Canada. The salmon was absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for your cooking expertise!
Shrinda Jackson says
Just made a life style change and I’ve incorporated salmon in my diet. This is a great recipe. Very delicious. Have made it twice already within 8 days.
Mychal says
Tasted great! Easy to make. I wish Iโd been able to get the color your pic had, but maybe next time. Thx for sharing
Robin says
Great recipe Amanda. Thanks for sharing your talent with us less creative cooks โค๏ธ
Linda Eldridge says
The best!!!! I have made this at least 5 times and comes out perfect every time! Next time going to add pecans at the end,
Denise T. says
I used homemade maple syrup instead of honey and omitted the water but added twice the sriracha and used a tiny bit of fresh grated ginger. I keep coming back to this recipe because itโs amazingly delicious!!!
Sue says
This was delicious and so easy. One pan. Didnโt have sriracha so I just used franks hot sauce.
Rachel says
Moist, perfectly cooked salmon! First time I ever cooked salmon and it turned out well and was simple, will make it again