Honey Garlic Salmon {Ready in 20 Minutes}

Name: Honey Garlic Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 4 (6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets; 1/4 cup honey; 3 tablespoons hot water; 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 6 cloves minced garlic (about 2 tablespoons); 1 1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika; 3/4 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided); 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Chopped fresh parsley or green onion (for serving); Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Consider yourself ruined. Thanks to this 5-star, menu-quality Honey Garlic Salmon, you can never order salmon from a restaurant again.

Roasted honey garlic salmon with lemon and green beans on a plate

Crispy on top, succulent inside, and bathed in a smoky-sweet honey garlic sauce, this baked salmon recipe outshines much of the salmon you’ve ordered at restaurants.

Do I sound insufferable?

Learning to cook perfect salmon at home will do that to you. (For an excellent overview of baking salmon, check out my How to Cook Salmon).

Even if you’ve never cooked salmon before, I promise you can make this recipe—and my Pesto Salmon—with rip-roaring success.

A plate of honey garlic salmon without soy sauce on a plate with lemon and green beans

Once you’ve tasted it, I bet you’ll think twice about ordering baked salmon from someone else’s menu too!

Ready to feel like a total salmon master with the best salmon recipe ever? OWN IT.

Let’s make some honey garlic salmon!

TIP!

If you are new to the salmon game, start with this million-dollar Baked Salmon and use this Salmon Temperature Guide for extra tips and tricks.

Then, when you are ready to WOW, come back to this glazed salmon with honey garlic sauce.

Easy salmon with honey garlic in a skillet

5 Star Review

“Just made this salmon tonight, and it was delicious! Very tasty, quick and easy. Will definitely make it often!”
— Danielle —

How to Cook Honey Garlic Salmon

Seared on the stove, then finished in the oven, the presentation of this healthy and easy salmon recipe is spectacular (as is this Salmon Wellington).

The glaze is deep and sassy with smoked paprika, honey, and a heap of fresh garlic, and this recipe makes plenty of it.
Added bonus: this dish comes together in just 20 minutes, so it is a great weeknight recipe.

TIP!

The secrets to the perfect salmon sear are 1. Get that skillet nice and HOT (don’t rush it and add the salmon when the skillet’s only at medium heat), and 2. Don’t disturb the fish while it cooks.

See this Pan Seared Salmon for more tips, and watch the recipe video below for an easy visual.

The Ingredients

Salmon. With a tender, flaky texture and delicious flavor, salmon fillets are an excellent lean, low-carb protein option. Plus, the glaze will make them appealing to the fish skeptics at your table (sway them with this Bourbon Glazed Salmon next). They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and B vitamins.
Honey. Honey adds scrumptious natural sweetness to the glaze and helps it caramelize to perfection. (I also love it in both this Miso Glazed Salmon and this Honey Glazed Salmon with soy sauce.)
Lemon Juice. For acidity and brightness.
Minced Garlic + Spices. Minced cloves of garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt add wonderful flavor to the glaze. The smoked paprika adds a nice smokiness, and the cayenne brings just a touch of heat.

Ingredient Note

For an extra kick, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce. If you enjoy spicy salmon, try this Blackened Salmon, too.

Parsley or Green Onion. I love to finish off this salmon dish with a shower of freshness. Both parsley and green onion are tasty choices.

TIP!

Extra glaze? Spoon it over the fish before serving or enjoy it over Instant Pot Brown Rice or cauliflower rice (my favorite).

The Directions

Let the salmon filets come to room temperature, and pat dry.

Whisk the honey garlic glaze ingredients together in a small bowl.

Four raw salmons fillets on butcher paper

Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Heat an oven-proof skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat to high heat. Start cooking the salmon skin side up.

Once browned, flip each fillet over (so it’s now skin side down). Turn off the heat.

salmon with honey garlic sauce being poured over it in a skillet

Baste the salmon fillets with the honey-garlic mixture. Move the skillet to a 450-degree F oven, and bake for 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with parsley or green onion and lemon. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
To Reheat. Honey garlic salmon can be very gently reheated in a skillet over medium-low heat.

Meal Plan Tip

Whisk the glaze ingredients together up to 1 day in advance, storing the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

Leftover Ideas

Leftover salmon is tasty served on a salad (like this Ramen Salad) or over Vegetable Lo Mein or Cauliflower Fried Rice.

The BEST Honey garlic salmon fillets with lemon

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Salmon

Side Dishes

Lemon Rice

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Side Dishes

Baked Potato

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Air Fryer

Air Fryer Cauliflower

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Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Oven-Safe Skillet. The ideal tool for this recipe.
Instant Read Thermometer. A foolproof way to know when your salmon is done.
Liquid Measuring Cups. You can mix and measure your ingredients all in the same cup.

The Best Cast Iron Skillet

This heavy-duty cast iron skillet will last you a lifetime. Use it on the stovetop or in the oven.

Get on AMazon

Four fillets of easy honey garlic salmon baked

While I rarely repeat meals—with salmon variations ranging from Teriyaki Salmon to Broiled Salmon, we have plenty to choose from even in the salmon family—this honey garlic glaze has become a regular.

Fortunately, when you cook it yourself, it can be the nightly special any time you feel like ordering it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Cook Salmon Directly From Frozen?

Sometimes! If you have individual salmon fillets, you can cook them directly from frozen either in the oven (see this Salmon Baking Guide for tips) or by making Air Fryer Salmon. For this salmon recipe, where you will sear and glaze the salmon, you need to thaw the salmon first, so the glaze adheres and the outside can crisp.

How Else Can I Add Flavor to Salmon?

Salmon goes well with a wide range of flavors, ranging from sweet and salty, to herby (rosemary, dill, and parsley all go well with salmon), to spicy. You can use sweet or savory glazes (as in this recipe), try a rub like this Salmon Seasoning, or use garlic and herbs like this Garlic Salmon.

Is it Better to Bake or Fry Salmon?

Salmon is a super versatile fish that does well in a variety of cooking methods. From Baked Spicy Salmon, to Broiled Salmon, to Cedar Plank Salmon, to Grilled Salmon in Foil, and even Poached Salmon, how you cook your salmon really comes down to personal preference. I love this easy salmon with honey garlic because it combines all the benefits of baking and pan-frying salmon in one tasty recipe.

Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe Video

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