Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Sweet, Savory, and Simple to Make
🕒 Time
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Prep: 5 minutes
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Cook: 10–12 minutes
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Total: ~15 minutes
🍽️ Serves
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4
🧺 Ingredients
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4 salmon fillets (about 5–6 oz each, skin on or off)
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil or butter
Honey Garlic Glaze
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⅓ cup honey
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3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tbsp lemon juice or rice vinegar
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Optional Garnish
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Sesame seeds
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Chopped green onions
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Lemon wedges
🍳 Instructions (Stovetop – Best Method)
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Season the salmon
Pat salmon dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. -
Sear the salmon
Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place salmon skin-side down and cook 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more. -
Make the glaze
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes to the pan. -
Glaze & finish
Let sauce simmer 2–3 minutes, spooning it over the salmon constantly until thick, sticky, and glossy. -
Serve immediately
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if you like.
🔥 Alternative Cooking Methods
Oven-Baked
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Bake salmon at 400°F / 200°C for 12–15 minutes
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Simmer glaze separately, then brush on before serving
Air Fryer
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Cook salmon at 375°F / 190°C for 8–10 minutes
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Brush glaze on during the last 2 minutes
🍚 Serve With
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Steamed rice or jasmine rice
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Roasted broccoli or green beans
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Mashed potatoes
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Noodles or stir-fried veggies
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I use frozen salmon?
A: Yes—just fully thaw and pat dry before cooking to get a good sear.
Q: Is this very sweet?
A: Balanced sweet-salty. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce honey to ¼ cup or add a splash more lemon juice.
Q: Can I substitute maple syrup?
A: Absolutely. Maple syrup gives a deeper, slightly smoky sweetness and works beautifully.
Q: How do I know when salmon is done?
A:
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Flesh flakes easily with a fork
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Internal temp: 125–130°F (52–55°C) for juicy salmon
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Best fresh, but leftovers keep up to 2 days in the fridge. Reheat gently to avoid drying out.
Q: Is this kid-friendly?
A: Very! Just skip the red pepper flakes.