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.
Alison says
I make this for my family once a week and they all love it!!!! I use a bit more sriracha because we like things spicy but the recipe is PERFECT. Itโs amazing broiled and pan seared. I HIGHLY recommend this recipe to anyone who loves salmon.
Kimberly says
This recipe was very good.
BV says
Sauce was great – will definitely make again!
CJ says
Excellent recipes taste wonderful
J says
Is cooking time different for wild salmon?
Ashley says
Fantastic! Although I didnโt know we were out of soy sauce. We substituted for Hoisin sauce and it was beyond delicious. My kids licked their bowls clean. Iโll double the sauce next time though. Kids were fighting over it. We topped it with some fresh cilantro and put the salmon on a bed of basmati rice.
limeyprincess says
I added a splash of bourbon to the sauce, and that put it over the top into perfection!
Christina says
This salmon is AMAZING!!! I could drown myself in the sauce itโs so good๐. Sweet, sticky & delicious. Itโs now my favorite salmon recipe.
Amanda says
I doubled the recipe, and it was delicious! Seriously the best salmon Iโve ever made. Thank you for this recipe!!!
Leslie D. says
This was the BEST salmon recipe I have tried so far!!!! I will definitely be making this recipe in the future!!!
Jesse says
I make this all the time. Itโs really one of the best and easiest dishes Iโve made and Iโm generally not a good cook. Thank you!
Debbie says
Just beautiful and very nice on roast pumpkin too.
Liz says
I have never left a comment on a recipe I have used in my life. But – this absolutely demanded one. I made this tonight for my 13 year old daughter and I and….WOW! Just WOW. We both ate way passed the point of being full and were disappointed we could not stuff ourselves more. This will absolutely be my go-to salmon recipe – thank you so much! I will be checking your recipes regularly!
Lee A Strasbaugh says
This is amazing, I’ve made it so many times. It’s turns out perfect exactly following the recipe. Sometimes I change it up. Like use lime, maple syrup, less butter. I’ve doubled the sauce and it still turns out thick. My go to salmon recipe. Thank you for this!!
Reletha DeJana Watkins says
Modified serving size to 1. My piece was a bit large should have cut in half. All went well just had to take off broil and bake for 5 mins on 350. It still carmelized. I had it with a garden salad with grape tomatoes and berry vinaigrette dressing
Janet Chadd says
Wouldn’t change a thing! Have made this many times and even grandkids love it and asked for recipe. One of the best recipes I have found!
Jen says
Simply amazing!!! I might have added to much Sriracha so now I know for next time lol. But this recipe is by far my favorite salmon recipe! Thank you!
Dana says
We had this tonight and my kids asked for seconds. We will be adding it to our meal rotation! Super Yum! I recommend serving it over rice with a side of mixed veggies.
Jeanine says
This was so good. Husband and I both love it.
Melanie says
Sauce came out watery. How would you suggest to thicken?
The Chunky Chef says
You could simmer the sauce for a couple of minutes and it should thicken up.
J says
Is the cooking and broiling time the same if using wild salmon?