Honey Garlic Salmon
Honey Garlic Salmon is one of those quick, reliable recipes that delivers big flavor with very little effort. The salmon cooks in a glossy sauce made with honey, garlic, soy sauce, and lemon, creating the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and bright. Finished in just about 20 minutes, it’s an easy meal that feels impressive enough for both weeknights and guests.
Ouzo & Olive Oil is a reader-supported site. When you purchase through the affiliate links on this site, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Take a look at this
What to Know About Honey Garlic Salmon
Which Salmon Should I use?
Atlantic salmon is a great choice for this recipe because of its rich flavor, tender texture, and slightly higher fat content, which helps it stay moist as it cooks. It also holds up beautifully to the honey garlic sauce and flakes easily once finished. That said, any salmon fillet you enjoy will work here, just aim for pieces of similar thickness so they cook evenly.
fresh or frozen?
Fresh or frozen salmon both work well in this recipe, so use whichever is easiest for you to find. If you’re starting with frozen salmon, just make sure it’s fully thawed before cooking so it cooks evenly and absorbs the sauce properly.
Skin-on or skinless?
Both skin-on and skinless salmon work well here, so it really comes down to preference. Skin-on fillets help hold the salmon together during cooking and can add a little extra richness, while skinless fillets absorb the sauce more directly on all sides. If using skin-on salmon, simply cook and season the flesh side as written.
What Should I Serve With It?
This salmon pairs well with simple sides that can soak up the extra sauce. Rice, roasted potatoes, or sweet potatoes all work beautifully. Steamed vegetables, sautéed greens, or a crisp salad keep the meal balanced. If you want something especially easy, serve it over plain rice and spoon the sauce right over the top.
Honey Garlic Salmon
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 2 lbs salmon filets fresh or frozen
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
For the Sauce
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce optional
For Cooking
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For Serving
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- cooked rice
Instructions
- If using frozen salmon, thaw it first. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika, or just the side without skin if using skin-on fillets. Set the salmon aside while you prepare the sauce.2 lbs salmon filets, ½ tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp paprika
- Adjust your oven rack about 6 inches below the broiler and preheat the broiler. Note: You don't want the oven rack too close to the broiler or the sauce will burn.
- Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.6 cloves garlic, ½ cup honey, ¼ cup water, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- In a broiler-safe pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.3 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp olive oil
- Once the butter is melted, add the sauce to the pan and heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the salmon to the pan, skin side down if using skin-on fillets. Cook for 3 minutes, frequently spooning the sauce over the top as it cooks.
- Transfer the pan of salmon to the preheated oven. Broil for 3 minutes, then spoon some of the sauce from the pan over the salmon and return it to the oven for another 2–3 minutes, until lightly caramelized.
- Remove the pan from the oven, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with a side of your favorite rice.1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, cooked rice
