Honey Garlic Salmon

Honey Garlic Salmon is a quick, one-pan recipe that's as good as it is easy to make. You'll be surprised to know that the secret is all in the sauce. This good sweet and savory, five-ingredient garlicky sauce with a hint of lemon can be whipped up in only 15 minutes, and it's guaranteed to become your family's new salmon obsession.

It's no secret you all are loving our Browned Butter Honey Garlic Salmon six years after posting it, back when Vakac was still a baby and we had just started our food blogging journey. The creation of this recipe answers your requests for a way to avoid browning butter when cooking salmon. Happy cooking!

What Sets This Honey Garlic Salmon Apart?

If you've tried some of our other honey garlic recipes like our Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp Easy Honey Garlic Chickenor our Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chopsyou are going to love this super easy recipe!

To be honest, the browned butter mixed with that sweet honey garlic sauce is what made our popular browned butter salmon recipe stand out from the rest. But due to popular demand We have simplified this salmon recipe and made simplicitytogether with its delightful blend of sweet and savory notes its strength. This recipe is good for busy weeknights when you want a good meal on the table fast, without sacrificing flavor.

The combination of honey and garlic creates a beautifully balanced sauce that coats the salmon perfectly, giving it a caramelized glaze that is irresistible. The hint of lemon adds a fresh burst of flavor that takes this dish to the next level. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice this Honey Garlic Salmon is sure to impress and become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

Honey Garlic Salmon: Key Ingredients

The secret to this Caramelized Garlic Salmon lies in its key ingredients. Each one brings something special to create a mouthwatering, flavorful sauce and perfectly cooked salmon. Let's dive into what makes this recipe truly exceptional:

• Salmon: The star of the dish! This rich, fatty fish provides a good canvas for the sweet and savory sauce. Look for fresh, firm salmon fillets with vibrant color. Its natural oils help create a luscious texture, while its mild flavor allows the honey garlic sauce to shine.
• Honey: This adds a natural sweetness that balances the savory and tangy elements of the dish. Choose high-quality honey for a reliable flavor. When caramelized, it creates a beautiful glaze that coats the salmon, enhancing both its appearance and taste.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness of the honey. Use fresh cloves for a reliable flavor; minced or pre-packaged garlic can't compare. It adds depth and complexity, making the sauce more savory and good.
• Soy Sauce: This ingredient introduces a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. Opt for a good-quality soy sauce without added preservatives. It provides a good balance to the sweetness of the honey and the tanginess of the lemon, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. For an extra boost of umami flavor, why not pair this salmon with Roasted Mushrooms in Balsamic Soy?
• Lemon: A hint of lemon juice adds a fresh burst of acidity that brightens the dish. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a reliable results, and don't forget to zest the lemon for an extra pop of citrus flavor. It cuts through the richness of the salmon and honey, adding a refreshing contrast that elevates the overall flavor profile.

*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Additions And Substitutions

When it comes to Honey Glazed Garlic Salmon, simplicity is key. Even if you don't have every ingredient on hand, don't worry, there are plenty of good alternatives that will still give you that good balance of sweet and savory flavors. Let's dive into what makes this recipe truly exceptional and how you can make it work with what you have!

• Experiment with Spices: If you like a bit of heat, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce. For a smokier flavor, a touch of smoked paprika can elevate the dish without overpowering the core flavors.
• Citrus Swap: If you're out of lemons, don't worry! You can use lime or even a splash of orange juice for a slightly different but equally refreshing burst of acidity.
• Sweetness Options: While honey is the star, you can experiment with maple syrup or agave nectar for a different kind of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the garlic and soy sauce.

The Ultimate Honey Garlic Salmon: Step-By-Step

Ready to create a good Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon? Follow these simple steps with images to guide you through the process. You'll achieve a perfectly cooked salmon with a caramelized glaze, bursting with sweet and savory flavors that's sure to impress and delight.

1. Prepare Oven and Season Salmon: Arrange oven shelf to the middle of your oven. Preheat oven to broil/grill settings on medium heat. Season salmon with salt, pepper, and paprika; set aside.

1. Make the Sauce: Heat butter in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat until melted. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in honey, water, and soy sauce; stir in lemon juice to combine flavors.

1. Cook Salmon: Add salmon steaks to the sauce in the pan, cooking each fillet (skin-side down if there's any skin) for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Baste tops with pan juices and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Optionally, add lemon wedges around the salmon for a stronger lemon taste.

1. Broil and Serve: Baste salmon one more time then transfer the pan to your oven to broil/grill for 5-6 minutes, or until the tops are nicely charred and salmon is cooked to your liking. To serve, drizzle with sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice.

The dish is ready, surprised by how good and easy it is? If you're looking for more salmon ideas, we have plenty for you to try, and they're all good. Whether you're in the mood for something creamy like our Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmona zesty option like Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Saucea crispy delight like Parmesan Crusted Salmonor a wholesome meal like One Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus or Honey Soy Baked Chicken Thighswe've got you covered!

Recipe FAQ's

Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Just make sure to thaw it properly in the refrigerator overnight before cooking to ensure even cooking and a reliable texture.

To prevent the salmon from falling apart, cook it skin-side down first if there's any skin, and avoid flipping it too much. Also, broiling the salmon at the end helps to achieve a crispy texture without excessive handling.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave to avoid drying out the salmon.

What you need

• 4 salmon fillets wild caught, about 1/2 pound or 250 grams each, skin off or on
• 1/4 teaspoon salt to season
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper to season
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika mild, sweet or smokey
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic finely chopped or minced
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed, plus extra to serve
• 2 lemon wedges to serve

Method

1. Arrange oven shelf to the middle of your oven. Preheat oven to broil/grill settings on medium heat.
2. Season salmon with salt, pepper and paprika. Set aside.
3. Heat the butter in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat until melted. Add the garlic and sauté for about a minute, until fragrant. Pour in the honey, water and soy sauce; allow the flavours to heat through and combine. Add in the lemon juice; stir well to combine all of the flavours together.
4. Add the salmon steaks to the sauce in the pan; cook each fillet (skin-side down if there's any skin) for 3-4 minutes or until golden, while basting the tops with the pan juices. Season with salt and pepper, to taste (if desired).
5. Optional, Add the lemon wedges around the salmon (adds a stronger lemon taste).
6. To serve, drizzle with the sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with steamed vegetables; over rice or with a salad.