Honey Garlic Salmon (Printable Version)

Pan-seared salmon with a glossy honey garlic glaze, ready in 25 minutes.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 5 oz each), skin-on or skinless
02 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sauce

03 - 3 tablespoons honey
04 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
05 - 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 tablespoon water

→ For Cooking

08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter

→ For Serving (optional)

09 - Steamed rice
10 - Steamed or sautéed seasonal vegetables
11 - Sliced green onions
12 - Sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, and water until well combined. Set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil or butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
04 - Place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if applicable. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
05 - Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the flesh begins to turn opaque.
06 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the honey garlic sauce around and over the salmon fillets.
07 - Spoon the simmering sauce over the fillets continuously for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the fish evenly.
08 - Remove from heat once the salmon is cooked through and the sauce is glossy. Serve immediately over steamed rice with vegetables, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something a restaurant would charge triple for
  • You get perfectly crispy skin with tender, flaky fish every single time without any fancy techniques
02 -
  • The sauce will continue thickening for about thirty seconds after you remove it from the heat, so pull it slightly earlier than you think you should
  • If your salmon fillets vary significantly in thickness, tuck the thin ends under slightly so they do not overcook while the thicker parts finish
03 -
  • If your honey is crystallized, warm the jar in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes before measuring
  • A cast iron skillet gives you the best crust but a good nonstick pan makes cleanup much easier
Go Back