• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Dinner Ebook! Get your copy!

Join the Little Sunny Kitchen email family!

Get our FREE dinners ebook!

  • Meet Diana
  • Favorite Products
  • Videos
  • Learn to Cook

Little Sunny Kitchen

Delicious Recipes for Real Life

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Sides
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Pasta
    • Soups & Chilis
    • Desserts
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Beverages
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s
    • Easter
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven
    • Stovetop
    • Grill
  • Easy Meals
  • Appetizers
  • Drinks
  • Slow Cooker
  • Air Fryer
  • Restaurant Copycats
  • Summer Faves
Home Recipes By Type Main Dishes

Honey Garlic Salmon

5
/5 –
Rate Recipe 7 Comments
Jump to Recipe
  • Share
By: Diana Posted: 8/1/21 Updated: 4/29/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

honey glazed salmon in a pan with a fork flaking a small part. And overlay text that reads "glazed honey garlic salmon, easy weeknight dinner"

Honey Garlic Salmon is the easiest fish dinner you’ll ever make! It’s perfectly flaky with sweet and salty honey and soy sauce glaze with bright lemon juice, melted butter, and roasted garlic. Ready in just 20 minutes!

Flaked honey garlic salmon in a pan with a fork

I love a quick and healthy fish dinner recipe, and this honey garlic salmon is packed with flavor and nutrients! The sweet and savory glaze is the best luscious sauce for these sautéed salmon filets with crispy skin. 

This baked salmon is a family favorite around here, but I sauté this recipe so I get that super crispy skin! We’re big fans of salmon, and cook it quite often. It’s of nutritional value — packed with protein, high in omega-3s, and low in saturated fat.

For more easy fish dinners, check out my fish piccata, salmon tacos, lemon baked cod and creamy tuscan salmon recipes. They are also ready in just 20 minutes, start to finish!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  1. This salmon recipe is ready in just 20 minutes with only one pan!
  2. The honey soy sauce glaze is the perfect complement to the mild fishy salmon flavor. 
  3. If you’re looking for a low carb, low fat recipe that’s perfect for keto, this is it! Each filet is only about 60 calories. 

Ingredients Used

Here’s what you’ll need to make honey garlic salmon:

Ingredients needed to make honey garlic salmon including salmon, honey, butter, garlic, soy sauce, and seasonings.
  • Salmon filets: I prefer to buy salmon with the skin! It works as a protective layer when searing the salmon. Plus, it’s easier to flip the fish when the skin is on, and it becomes crispy. It’s totally edible. When I buy a whole side of salmon, I cut it into 2.5 inch thick slices.
  • Garlic: Everything’s better with garlic! It adds such a soft, sweet buttery flavor to the salmon filets.
  • Honey: I love the sticky glaze honey makes! It adds a little char to the outside and the perfect sweetness to balance the fish.
  • Spices: Don’t forget the soy sauce, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper!

Tip!

I keep this salmon recipe mild. Want to add some spice? Add sriracha or cayenne pepper!

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon

Follow these steps for the best Asian-inspired salmon recipe:

collage with four images showing how to season salmon and then sear it in a pan
  1. Season the salmon. First, sprinkle the salmon steaks with paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently press the seasonings into the flesh.
  2. Sear the salmon. Then, melt butter over medium-high heat and sear the salmon skin-side down first. Use your spatula to lightly press the filets for full contact with the pan. Flip after a few minutes, then let them rest on a plate when done.
Two images showing how to make honey garlic glaze and add it to the seared salmon
  1. Make the sauce. Keep the melted butter in the pan, and add the garlic, honey, water, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Cook for a couple minutes until it begins to thicken. 
  2. Coat salmon and serve. Return the cooked salmon filets to the pan, and cover them with sauce. Cook a couple more minutes until everything is incorporated with the glaze. Garnish with lemon slices, parsley, and serve!

Tips and Tricks

This salmon recipe is so easy, I’m sure you’ll nail it the first time! If you’re looking for more tips, here are my top ones:

  • Keep the skin. I like to buy skin-on salmon filets when I can. If you can’t find pre-cut filets, you can always slice up a side of salmon into 2.5 inch slices instead. Freeze any leftover raw salmon for your next dinner!
  • Let the sauce thicken. There’s nothing worse than a runny sauce that’s just like water! Be sure to let the sauce simmer a few minutes before adding the salmon back to the pan for the thickest, most luscious honey soy glaze. 
  • Bake it instead. You can always bake this recipe, too! Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet, and grease it lightly so the salmon doesn’t stick. Pour the glaze over the salmon and bake until the internal temperature is 145°F/63°C. I do this option when I can’t find skin-on salmon.
  • Try it with chicken. I love salmon recipes, but sometimes chicken is easier to find — and more budget-friendly. If you love this sauce, try it with juicy chicken over white rice. Yum!

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should you cook salmon?

When you’re checking the salmon fillets, you’re aiming for 145°F/63°C internally. Overcooked salmon is dry and crumbly, so try to get that temp just right! It will also continue cooking a few degrees while it rests. 

What side of salmon do you sear first?

I love to buy my salmon fillets with the skin still on! If yours have skin, sear that side first. It gives you perfectly crispy skin like a fancy restaurant. It also makes it much easier to flip without tearing the fish. 

How long should salmon be cooked on each side?

Cook time always depends on the size of your salmon filets. However, a good rule of thumb is about 3 minutes per side, or until it’s a beautiful golden brown.

What flavors go well with salmon?

The beauty of salmon recipes is you can pair them with almost any side dish! This is a sweeter salmon recipe, so I like to serve crisp veggies and starches, like roasted broccoli and potatoes. If you want a little more flavor in your honey garlic salmon, add a little lime juice, sriracha, shallots, capers, miso, or sesame oil!

Spooning honey garlic sauce over salmon

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Salmon

Keep it low fat with veggie side dishes: Roasted Asparagus, Shirazi Salad, a simple Tossed Green Salad with an Asian Salad Dressing, or Brussels Sprouts in the Air Fryer.

Have an Asian-inspired theme night: Ramen Noodle Salad, Spicy Kani Salad, Instant Pot Fried Rice, Coconut Rice, or Daikon Radish Slaw. 

End the night on a sweet note: Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Soft Monster Cookies, Tiramisu, or Easy Churro Bites.

How to Store

You can keep this leftover honey garlic salmon for up to 4 days in the fridge. I like to add leftovers to my lunch salads. 

Got tons of leftovers? Freeze it! Be sure to tightly wrap the filets in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Other Easy Seafood Recipes I Love

  • Salmon Wellington
  • Beer Battered Fish
  • Shrimp Ceviche
  • Tandoori Salmon Kebabs
  • Grilled Tilapia

This will quickly become your go-to salmon recipe. I don’t know if you’ll love the juicy salmon or succulent sauce more! Make sure to Pin this recipe so more people can enjoy it too!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
5 from 11 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Honey Garlic Salmon

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe Email Recipe
Honey Garlic Salmon is the easiest fish dinner you’ll ever make! It’s perfectly flaky with a sweet and salty honey soy glaze with lemon juice and melted butter.
4 servings
Honey Garlic Salmon is the easiest fish dinner you’ll ever make! It’s perfectly flaky with a sweet and salty honey soy glaze with lemon juice and melted butter.

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets 8 ounces each (225g) skin on or off, patted dry with paper towels
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 5 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  • Season the salmon fillets with paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently press the seasonings into the flesh.
  • In a pan, melt butter over medium-high heat and sear the salmon skin-side down first. Use your spatula to lightly press the filets for full contact with the pan. Flip after a few minutes, then let them rest on a plate when done.
  • Keep the melted butter in the pan, and add the garlic, honey, water, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Cook for a couple minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • Return the cooked salmon filets to the pan, and cover them with sauce. Cook a couple more minutes until everything is incorporated with the glaze. Garnish with lemon slices, parsley, and serve!

Notes:

  • To make the sauce spicy, add sriracha or cayenne pepper.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 352kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 35g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 847mg, Potassium: 884mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 309IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 2mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

Did You Make This?I love to see what you made! Tag me @LittleSunnyKitchen and hashtag #LittleSunnyKitchen
Pin Recipe Tag on Insta Leave Review

You may also like...

  • Air Fryer Salmon
  • Whole side of salmon baked in foil, with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
    Easy Baked Salmon in Foil
  • Salmon Wellington
  • Overhead shot of tuscan salmon in a pan with cream sauce
    Tuscan Salmon
Slices of grilled pizza on a white marble countertop
Previous Post
Grilled Pizza
Overhead shot of air fried steak with butter, served on a blue plate
Next Post
Air Fryer Steak

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review! Cancel reply

Have a question or just want to say how much you loved the recipe? Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and share on Facebook. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe!




  1. Corin says

    Posted on 2/16/22 at 23:57

    5 stars
    Tried it today! Super tasty and great crispy skin. Added the sriracha for more of a kick. Will definitely be trying the sauce on other proteins.

    Reply
  2. Kenny says

    Posted on 1/20/22 at 23:35

    5 stars
    Even my kids loved it!!

    Reply
Older Comments 1 2

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Meet Diana

Welcome to Little Sunny Kitchen! I'm Diana and I’m here to teach you how to make easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and delicious!

Read More
Follow on Pinterest for more ideas!
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!


Get my copy!

Free eBook

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Dinner Tonight

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry in a skillet

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Holding a Chick-Fil-A homemade Sandwich, and waffle fries

Homemade Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Most Popular

Chocolate Macarons

Penne Arrabbiata

French Fry Seasoning

Alfredo Sauce Recipe

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Instant Pot Air Fryer Crockpot Easy Dinners Salads Grilling
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

As Featured On:

Dinner tonight
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Join us and receive new recipes every week! Download our FREE eBook with quick and easy dinner recipes that are family-friendly and delicious.

Back to Top

explore

Recipe Index

Videos

Shop

Cooking Guides

Follow Along on Social:

Join My Free Instant Pot & Air Fryer Facebook Group
Back to Top

About

Contact

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

© 2022 Little Sunny Kitchen
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled