This crispy honey garlic glazed salmon is my idea of the perfect weeknight dinner—quick, flavorful, and just a little indulgent. The salmon gets pan-seared until golden and crisp on the outside while staying tender and flaky inside, then coated in a sticky honey garlic glaze that’s both sweet and savory. It’s a dish that tastes like it took hours, but it’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it uses simple ingredients to deliver bold flavor. The honey caramelizes beautifully, the garlic adds depth, and the soy sauce brings a touch of savory balance. It’s elegant enough to serve for guests, but easy enough to make on a weeknight. Plus, I only need one pan, which means less cleanup.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Salmon fillets, skin-on
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Honey
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Low-sodium soy sauce
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Garlic, minced
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Olive oil
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Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Directions
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I start by rinsing the salmon fillets under cold water and patting them dry thoroughly with paper towels so the skin crisps up nicely.
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I heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Once hot, I place the salmon skin-side down and sear for 4–5 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy.
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I flip the salmon and cook for another 3–4 minutes, depending on thickness, until just cooked through. I then remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside.
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In the same skillet, I reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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I stir in the honey and soy sauce, letting the mixture bubble and thicken slightly.
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I return the salmon to the skillet, spooning the glaze over the fillets until they’re well coated.
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I serve immediately, garnished with chopped green onions.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people and takes about 25 minutes total—5 minutes for prep and 20 minutes for cooking.
Variations
Sometimes I add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end for brightness, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat. I’ve also swapped soy sauce for tamari to make it gluten-free.
storage/reheating
I store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the glaze. I avoid microwaving to keep the texture from drying out.
FAQs
Can I make this with skinless salmon?
Yes, I can, though I’ll lose some of that crispy skin texture.
Can I bake the salmon instead?
Yes, I can bake it at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, then brush it with the glaze.
What’s the best way to prevent overcooking salmon?
I remove it from the heat just before it’s fully opaque—it will continue cooking from residual heat.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, I just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking.
What sides pair well with honey garlic salmon?
I like steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
Conclusion
This crispy honey garlic glazed salmon is a quick, flavorful dish that feels special without requiring much effort. The glaze is sticky, sweet, and savory, perfectly complementing the tender salmon. It’s a recipe I keep in my regular rotation because it never fails to impress—and it’s on the table in under half an hour.
PrintCrispy Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe
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This Crispy Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon is pan-seared to golden perfection and coated in a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic glaze. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels gourmet without the fuss.
- Author: Lizaa
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Dish, Seafood
- Method: Pan-Seared, One-Pan
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets, skin-on
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse salmon under cold water and pat dry thoroughly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place salmon skin-side down; sear for 4–5 minutes until skin is golden and crisp.
- Flip salmon and cook another 3–4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium; sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in honey and soy sauce; let bubble and thicken slightly.
- Return salmon to skillet and spoon glaze over fillets until well coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with green onions.
Notes
- Add lemon juice for brightness or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Bake instead at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, then glaze.
- Avoid microwaving leftovers to preserve texture—reheat gently in a skillet.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg