Honey Garlic Salmon

Garlicky, sweet, and sticky—this honey garlic salmon is my go-to for busy nights when I still want something that feels special. It’s so fast (ready in about 15 minutes) but has that glossy, restaurant-style finish that always impresses. I love serving it with steamed rice, roasted veggies, or a simple salad. It’s one of those recipes that proves weeknight cooking can still be exciting.

easy Honey Garlic Salmon

The Best Salmon Recipe

I’ve always loved salmon for how easy it is to cook, but this honey garlic version is my personal favorite. Imagine tender salmon fillets coated in a shiny, garlicky glaze that’s just the right mix of sweet and savory. The honey keeps the fish moist, and the garlic gives it big, bold flavor without being too strong.

What I really like is how simple it is. No complicated steps, no fancy ingredients—just solid, reliable flavors that always come out great. It’s perfect if you want something quick but still want dinner to feel like a treat. I often make this on busy weeknights when I’m craving something warm and satisfying but don’t want to spend forever in the kitchen.

Why This Recipe Works

This honey garlic salmon hits the spot for so many reasons. The sauce is the star here—sweet from the honey, savory from the garlic, and brightened with a splash of acid so it doesn’t feel heavy. It’s the perfect match for rich, flaky salmon.

What I love most is how flexible it is. You can cook it on the stove, finish it under the broiler for a little char, bake it in the oven, or even grill it if you’re in the mood for outdoor cooking. I’ve served it to picky eaters, seafood skeptics, and salmon lovers alike, and it always gets compliments.

Salmon

When I make this dish, I try to pick the freshest salmon I can find. Here’s what I look for:

  • Wild-Caught Salmon: If it’s available, I always go for wild-caught. It has a richer flavor, firmer texture, and is a more sustainable choice.
  • Farmed Salmon: If that’s what’s at the store, I look for Norwegian sources—they tend to have better farming practices.
  • Freshness: I like to shop when the seafood counter is freshly stocked. Look for firm fillets with a natural orange hue. If it’s too bright or fake-looking, it might have food dye.
  • Storage: I try to buy salmon the same day I cook it, but if I have to keep it a day or two, I store it in the coldest part of the fridge.

I love wild salmon for this recipe because its natural richness stands up perfectly to the bold honey garlic glaze.

best Honey Garlic Salmon

Ingredients You’ll Need

You don’t need much to make this dish shine:

  • Salmon fillet – Fresh, firm, and ideally with the skin on for easier cooking and better texture.
  • Minced garlic – Fresh is best for that punchy flavor.
  • Honey – Adds sweetness and helps the glaze caramelize.
  • Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice – I usually use apple cider vinegar for balanced acidity, but lemon juice gives it a nice citrusy kick.
  • Salt and pepper – For seasoning.

If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll throw in lemon wedges while cooking for even more brightness.

Recipe Substitutions

  • Skinless Salmon: Works fine—just be careful when flipping since it’s more delicate.
  • Other Fish: Firm white fish like cod, haddock, or tilapia work well. Just adjust the cooking time.
  • Other Proteins: Chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all good alternatives. Adjust cook times accordingly (shrimp cooks in just a few minutes, chicken takes a bit longer).
  • Spices: Swap cayenne for paprika for less heat, or use chili flakes for a bit of a kick.
  • Herbs: I usually finish with parsley, but dill, thyme, or basil are lovely too.

This is one of those sauces that’s so good you’ll want to put it on everything.

How To Make Honey Garlic Salmon

  1. Season the Salmon: Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and a bit of cayenne if you want some heat.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the honey, water, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.
  3. Sear the Salmon: Heat an oven-safe skillet (I love cast iron) over high heat. Add olive oil, then lay the salmon in, skin side down. Let it cook for about a minute. Flip it, cook the other side for another minute, then flip it back so the skin side is down again.
  4. Add Garlic: Toss in the minced garlic and let it sizzle until just fragrant.
  5. Pour in the Sauce: Add the honey mixture and any lemon wedges. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
  6. Broil (Optional): For extra caramelization, pop the skillet under the broiler for about a minute.
  7. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

It’s so simple, but the results feel fancy and special.

Secret Tips & Techniques

  • Crispy Skin: Always start skin-side down in a hot pan. This crisps it up beautifully and helps the salmon release from the pan more easily.
  • Olive Oil: Has a high smoke point and adds lovely flavor.
  • Cast-Iron Skillet: My favorite for even heat and perfect searing. It also makes the dish oven-friendly for broiling.
  • Pro Tip: Scrape the skin lightly against the grain before cooking to help remove extra moisture. This helps it get even crispier.
Honey Garlic Salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I adjust the sauce for different servings?
Just scale the honey, water, and vinegar or lemon juice proportionally. For each 4-6 oz serving, use about 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of acid.

Should I lower the heat when adding the honey mixture?
Yes! Cast iron holds heat well, so after searing the salmon, turn the heat to medium before adding the sauce to keep it from reducing too quickly.

How do I cook the salmon with the sauce?
Cook the salmon mostly through first. Then add the garlic and sauce. Let it simmer so the sauce reduces and thickens while glazing the fish.

How do I broil it?
Set your oven to high broil (about 500°F/260°C) and broil for about 1 minute. Make sure the sauce is on so it caramelizes nicely—just watch closely to avoid burning.

Can I bake it instead?
Absolutely. Preheat to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Pour the sauce over at the end.

Can I grill the salmon?
Yes! Season and grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Pour the sauce on after grilling to keep it sticky and fresh.

Can I cook it in an air fryer?
Yep! Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes, then pour the sauce over when serving.

Can I freeze cooked salmon?
I don’t recommend freezing it—the texture suffers. But it keeps in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat gently in the microwave for about a minute.

Do you eat the skin?
Totally up to you. If it’s crispy, I love it. If not, I usually leave it. Either way, it’s easy to cook with the skin on for better structure and then decide if you want to eat it or not.

How many calories per serving?
About 251 calories per serving—light, satisfying, and perfect for a balanced meal.

Yield: 3

Honey Garlic Salmon

easy Honey Garlic Salmon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. salmon, cut into 2–3 fillet strips
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon warm water
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ lemon, sliced into wedges
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne. Set it aside while you prep the sauce.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the honey, warm water, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined.
  3. Heat a cast iron or oven-safe skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil and place the salmon skin-side down. Let it sear for about a minute, then flip and cook the other side for another minute. Flip again so the skin side is back down.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook until it just starts to turn golden. Pour in the honey mixture and tuck in the lemon wedges. Let the sauce bubble and reduce until it thickens and coats the salmon.
  5. If you’d like a touch of char, pop the pan under the broiler for about 1 minute—just enough to caramelize the top.
  6. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately while the salmon is hot and the sauce is sticky and glossy.

Nutrition Information

Yield

3

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 328Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 71mgSodium 266mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 1gSugar 12gProtein 26g

Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Also try these Salmon recipe:-

Soumyadip Chatterjee
Founder of easyshrimprecipes.com
Hi, this is Soumyadip, creator of easyshrimprecipes.com. I love cooking and sharing new tasty recipes to the entire world. So what are you waiting for, join me on a delicious journey.
Skip to Recipe