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.
Jody Barnett says
Best salmon I have ever cooked. Very easy recipe and 5 star entree in 20 min. Had my sister over for dinner and she canโt stop telling people how good this was. Just love your recipe’s
Tammy says
I have made this many times and it is a fan favorite. Absolutely delicious! It is also a beautiful presentation. I highly recommend if you are trying to impress someone with both taste and presentation. It doesnโt take that long to throw together
Mike K says
Very yummy. The second time I made it, I doubled the sauce recipe and ate it over rice. Worked out perfectly.
Donnell says
Just made this tonight. The sauce was perfect – reduced a bit to a more viscous texture and it coated the salmon thoroughly. I may have added a bit more sriracha than directed here, but my wife didn’t notice so, all good. Made my own blackened seasoning, which also may have had a tad more paprika than required, but again, all flavors came together quite well. Definitely a “keeper.”
Anne D. says
Made this in my cast iron, kept it on the stove top. It was soooooo good. Cooked the glaze in cast iron to reduce it after I took the salmon out. I will be making this again. Even my husband who doesnโt like cooked salmon said he would eat it.
Linda says
This is what my granddaughter requested for her birthday. It was absolutely delicious.
Tammie L Hert says
This recipe was SO, so good! There are very few recipes I put in my book, but this one has made it in!
Joe says
Never trust a skinny chef!โค๏ธ
I love your recipes!
Shane Egan says
Yummy
Don Q says
Thank you my friend. DELICIOUS!! My kids think Iโm a master chef now. Hahahaha.
Jayguar2k says
Made this following this recipe to the letter. It was outstanding! The glaze came out perfect and gooey. The taste was sweet, very mild heat and the fish was tender with darkened crunchy edges. Will make this again and try with chicken next time. Itโs soooo good!
Donnell says
Chicken! That’s a great idea!!!! Pounded, or sliced thin?
JohnL says
I have made this twice. It is beyond deliciousโvery pleasant to prepare; creates wonderful aromas in the kitchen.
Oscar says
Iโd like to try this for a large dinner party. Could I do all of the steps ahead of time and then broil just when company arrives?
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested this recipe that way, so I can’t say for certain how well that would work out. If you do some experimenting, I’d love to know how it turns out ๐
Camille Martinez says
Fantastic! Hubby and I loved it. I think it will be on the menu for our next family dinner.
Elaine Bodnar says
Excellent!
Rachel says
I just made this tonight and it was **fabulous**. The sauce didn’t thicken up for me as much as your photos show despite skipping the water entirely, but it still tasted amazing. Do you have any recommendations for how to prepare this for a dinner party so that it’s ready for a group at the same time? Is there a good way to bypass the skillet and just cook it all in the oven? If so, how would you recommend doing so? Thank you!!
Barb says
I cut the salmon and tossed in a caesar salad and it was absolutely delicious.
Lindsay says
Canโt wait to make this tonight , can I do it in the air fryer if so what temp and how long thanks!
The Chunky Chef says
I haven’t tested this recipe in an air fryer, so I can’t say for certain whether any changes would need to be made, and the specifics regarding temperature and time. If you do some experimenting, I’d love to know how it turns out ๐
Claudia says
I was strongly encouraged by my physician to add salmon to my diet. Problem is my husband won’t eat salmon and I don’t care for it either. I made this recipe, fully expecting he would only eat the obligatory one bite. Was I surprised when he ate the whole thing, mumbling ‘this is really good’. I agree with him 100%. This recipe is a winner. Thank you for posting! I didn’t have sriracha sauce on hand and substituted mango habanero sauce instead.
REALTOR Jess says
I tweaked mine up because I donโt like spice but it was absolutely fantastic and I substituted lemon for lime! Best salmon ever