Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon

I’ve cooked a lot of quick weeknight dinners, but this honey garlic glazed salmon is one of those recipes that never lets me down. It’s sticky, garlicky, and just sweet enough to balance the savoriness. What I love most is how easy it is to make — no tricky flipping, no complicated sauce — just a handful of ingredients that work beautifully together.

The first time I made it, I was convinced I’d mess it up. I worried the glaze would burn or the salmon would overcook. But within 20 minutes, I had tender, caramelized fillets that tasted like something from a restaurant. It’s been in my regular dinner rotation ever since.

Why You’ll Love This Salmon

• Fast and foolproof: One pan, no flipping, ready in about 20 minutes.

• Big flavor, simple ingredients: Honey, garlic, soy, and a hint of lemon make magic.

• Perfectly cooked: Juicy salmon with a golden glaze on top.

• Flexible: Works for a weeknight dinner or a dinner party.

• Tastes just as good cold: Which makes it great for next-day lunches.

Ingredients I Rely On

• Salmon fillets: I prefer fresh, thicker cuts — they stay moist and flake beautifully.

• Butter + oil: The combo keeps the glaze from burning and gives a glossy finish.

• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is key to that bold flavor.

• Honey: Brings sweetness and helps create that sticky glaze.

• Soy sauce: Balances the sweetness with savory depth.

• Water: Loosens the glaze just enough so it coats evenly.

• Sriracha: Optional, but I love the gentle kick it gives.

• Lemon juice: Brightens everything up at the end.

How I Make It Step by Step

1. Pat the salmon dry: This helps the glaze cling better. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

2. Make the glaze: In a skillet, melt butter with a bit of oil. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Whisk in water, soy sauce, honey, sriracha, and lemon juice.

3. Cook the salmon: Place the fillets in the pan, skin side down if they have skin. Let them cook gently for about 3 minutes while spooning the glaze over the top.

4. Broil to finish: Transfer the pan to the oven and broil for 5–6 minutes, just until the top is caramelized and the glaze is bubbling.

5. Rest and serve: A minute of resting lets the glaze set into that perfect sticky layer.

Tips That Make It Even Better

• Good salmon matters. Fresh fillets give you the best flavor and texture.

• Keep an eye on the broiler. The glaze can go from glossy to burned quickly.

• Use a spoon to baste. It keeps the top moist and flavorful while the bottom cooks through.

• Cook just to done. I like my salmon at about 145°F — it’s tender and flakes easily.

• Play with the sweetness: If you prefer it less sweet, just dial back the honey a bit.

Flavor Variations

• Pan-seared version: Sear the salmon first, then glaze it in the pan.

• Citrus twist: Add lemon zest or orange juice to the glaze for a fresh lift.

• Spicy: Add extra sriracha or chili flakes for more heat.

• Herby: Sprinkle chopped green onions or cilantro on top before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This salmon loves a simple side that soaks up the glaze. Some of my favorites:

• Steamed jasmine rice or coconut rice

• Roasted asparagus or tenderstem broccoli

• Garlic butter noodles or quinoa

• A crisp cucumber salad

• A slice of crusty bread to mop up any extra sauce

For a light summer dinner, I sometimes flake the salmon over mixed greens and drizzle the glaze like dressing. It’s just as satisfying cold.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can whisk the sauce together in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. The actual cooking is best done fresh so the salmon stays juicy.

If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It reheats gently in a skillet or tastes great cold on a salad.

FAQs

Do I need to remove the skin before cooking?
No, the skin actually protects the salmon from overcooking and makes flipping (if you choose to sear) easier. You can slide it off after cooking if you prefer.

Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, just thaw it fully and pat it dry before seasoning.

What if I don’t have sriracha?
You can use chili flakes or skip it altogether for a milder version.

How do I know when the salmon is done?
It should flake easily with a fork and reach about 145°F at the thickest part.

Can I use this glaze on other proteins?
Absolutely. It works beautifully with shrimp, chicken thighs, or even tofu.

Continue to Content

Yield: 4

Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon

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This Honey Garlic Salmon is tender, flaky, and coated in a sticky sweet and savory glaze that’s impossible to resist.

Prep Time 8 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
• ¼ tsp blackening seasoning (optional)

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup honey
• 3 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel. Season evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and blackening seasoning if using.
2. Position your oven rack in the middle and preheat the broiler. This keeps the sauce from burning during cooking.
3. In a large oven-safe skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in honey, water, soy sauce, sriracha, and lemon juice. Let the sauce warm through and bubble lightly.
4. Place the salmon in the skillet, skin side down if applicable. Cook for 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the fillets as they cook to build up the glaze.
5. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 5–6 minutes, basting once more during cooking, until the salmon is caramelized on top and cooked to your preferred doneness.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 979Total Fat 55gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 36gCholesterol 247mgSodium 1306mgCarbohydrates 39gFiber 1gSugar 36gProtein 80g

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.

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Final Thought

This honey garlic glazed salmon is the kind of dish that turns an ordinary weeknight into something a little special. The glaze is sticky, tangy, and sweet with just the right amount of depth, and the salmon stays buttery and tender.

Every time I make it, I find myself spooning a little extra sauce over my rice, then going back for seconds. It’s quick, simple, and downright delicious — the kind of recipe that ends up in your regular rotation without even trying.

Also try these Salmon recipes:-

• Walnut Crusted Salmon (Sheet Pan or Air Fryer)
• Baked Salmon Patties
• Spicy Chili Honey Salmon