What is a good honey glaze for salmon?

The best honey glaze for salmon combines honey, soy sauce, butter, minced garlic, a splash of citrus juice, and a small amount of heat, sriracha sauce is the most practical choice. This combination gives you sweet, salty, garlicky, and slightly spicy in every bite. The butter adds richness that helps the glaze emulsify and cling to the fillet rather than sliding off.

What is honey glaze sauce made of?

Honey glaze sauce is made from honey, soy sauce, butter, garlic, lemon juice, sriracha, and a small amount of water to balance the consistency. The water thins the sauce so it does not reduce too quickly in the hot pan, giving you time to baste the salmon before the glaze burns. All ingredients cook together in the skillet in under 30 seconds before the salmon goes in.

What is a good glaze to put on salmon?

A honey soy glaze is the most reliable and crowd-pleasing option for salmon because the natural sugars in honey caramelize under high heat, creating a sticky, lacquered surface. Other strong options include miso-honey, teriyaki, or a simple brown sugar and Dijon mustard glaze. For this honey glazed salmon recipe specifically, the addition of sriracha sauce and smoked paprika gives the glaze a depth that keeps it from tasting one-dimensional.

Do you add honey to salmon before or after cooking?

The honey goes into the pan before the salmon does in this honey glazed salmon recipe, it becomes part of a sauce that cooks and warms in the skillet, then the salmon cooks directly in it. Adding honey directly to raw salmon before cooking causes it to burn before the fish is done. Building the sauce in the pan first and basting the salmon throughout gives you controlled caramelization rather than scorching.

Can I make honey glazed salmon baked in the oven instead of broiled?

Yes, baked honey glazed salmon works well at 400°F (200°C) for 12 to 15 minutes in a baking dish, with the sauce poured over the top before going in the oven. The finish will be less caramelized and lacquered than the broiled version, but the flavor is just as good. For a simple honey glazed salmon baked recipe, brush with sauce halfway through baking for better coverage.

How do I know when the salmon is done?

Salmon is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part, measured with an instant-read thermometer. Visually, the flesh changes from translucent orange-pink to opaque and flakes easily when pressed with a fork. Slightly underdone salmon (around 130 to 135°F) retains more moisture and has a silkier texture, many cooks prefer it that way, similar to a medium steak.

Can this honey garlic salmon recipe be made ahead of time?

The sauce can be whisked together up to 48 hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator; just reheat it gently in the pan before adding the salmon. The salmon itself is best cooked fresh, but leftover cooked salmon stores for up to 3 days and is outstanding served cold over salad greens. If you are meal-prepping, pair it with quinoa sweet potato bowls for a complete, nutritious make-ahead meal.

Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe (20 Min) Best Quick & Easy Dinner Recipe

Description

This honey glazed salmon recipe is sticky, garlicky, and ready in just 18 minutes, one pan, no flipping required. Four salmon fillets cook in a bubbling honey soy butter sauce, get basted constantly, then finish under the broiler for a caramelized, lacquered crust packed with sweet, savory, and gently spicy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional)
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
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Season the salmon: Pat fillets completely dry with paper towels. Mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and blackening seasoning; season all sides of the fillets. Set aside.
Prep the broiler: Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat the broiler to high.
Build the sauce: Add butter and olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once butter is melted, add garlic and cook 15 seconds, then add water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice. Stir and cook 30 seconds until heated through.
Cook the salmon: Add salmon fillets skin-side down. Cook 3 minutes, basting tops with pan sauce every 30 to 40 seconds.
Broil: Transfer skillet to oven and broil on high for 5 to 6 minutes, basting once at the midpoint, until the glaze is caramelized and deeply colored.
Rest and serve: Remove from oven, rest 2 minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Always use the middle oven rack when broiling, placing the skillet too high causes the honey to burn before the salmon cooks through. Pat the salmon completely dry before seasoning for the best caramelization. If the sauce seems watery, reduce water to 2 Tbsp or simmer the sauce 1 extra minute before adding the fish.

Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop + Broiler
Cuisine: American / Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce
Calories: 481
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: honey glazed salmon, honey garlic salmon, glazed salmon recipe, easy salmon dinner