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.
Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!
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.
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.
Debra says
The sauce was so good. I couldn’t get enough of it
Kendra says
Thisโs was AMAZING!! One of the absolute best Salmon recipes Iโve ever made. Iโve never broiled salmon before but I decided to go with this method because I had a whole salmon to prepare and was quite intimidated by this because it was my first time. But it cooked to perfection! AND THAT GLAZE. Whew!
MP Shirel says
So delicious, quick and easy.
Maggie says
Made this tonight..terrific way to serve salmon..it was delicious.
Millette says
I love this recipe. I don’t make Salmon ay other way. And everyone I share it with, loves it too.
Keyuadia says
we love it!! my kids love it! everyone loves it!
Daj A says
I can’t wait to make this tonight.
Rashaan says
Amazing the sauce is to die for
Joy says
YUM, everything was perfect, the heat+sweet+salty=exquisite. My family normally hates fish, loved this.
Patricia Kuhns says
The sauce was wonderful – very flavorful. It didnโt get as thick as I think it should have . What did I do wrong ?
The Chunky Chef says
Sounds like maybe it could use some additional simmering on the stovetop before adding the salmon.
Mr. B. says
This recipe came out perfectly.
Yahaira Gomez says
I loved this receipe from the first time I made it. Going on the 3rd time now ๐. I also made some cauliflower rice to go along with it, it was super delicious ๐คค
PAM GALVIN says
Easy and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!!! This is a new family favorite. Everyone kept saying — how good it was — the best salmon — make it again!
Catherine says
Forgot the stars lol
Catherine says
I just love this dish!! I make a salad, cheesy broccoli with cheese, spicy rice and garlic bread. Having it again tonight!! It’s just DELISH!!
Alex says
We often have on top of salad or with roasted veggies
Delicious
Michael Black says
This is a hit. Oh, I needed a superior alternative to baked salmon and I found that here with the garlic honey salmon recipe. I was looking through other comments about this salmon recipe and just had to laugh at this one, “This was the best salmon ever! I was drinking the leftover sauce!” I laughed because I too was drinking the sauce!” Thank YOU, Chef!
Geni Barnett says
Is there a substitute for the sirachi sauce?
The Chunky Chef says
You can use your favorite hot sauce, or sambal oelek, or chili garlic sauce.
PAM GALVIN says
I almost left out the Siracha because my youngest doesn’t like hot/spicy. You couldn’t even tell it was in there. She said the salmon was fabulous!
Denise says
This was the best salmon ever! I was drinking the leftover sauce!
Linda Eldridge says
This is the best recipe in the world! When my grandson came to spend the I told him that I was making salmon. “IS IT LIKE THE LAST TIME”. it is an easy to do recipe. You can do the prep work earlier in the day and come home to just the finishing touches. Sometimes I also sprinkle it with nuts before serving.
Kara says
Crazy delicious. This is definitely going into the rotation!! Made it just as is but shorted the butter and honey a little.