Honey Garlic Salmon (Printable Version)

Crispy salmon with glossy honey garlic coating ready in 25 minutes

# Ingredient List:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 5 ounces 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

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together 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 second side develops a light golden color.
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 until the sauce thickens and coats the fish in a glossy glaze.
08 - Remove from heat once the salmon is cooked through and the sauce is glossy. Serve immediately with rice and vegetables, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This salmon comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • The honey garlic sauce balances sweet and savory so perfectly even kids ask for seconds
  • You probably have everything in your pantry right now
02 -
  • Dry salmon equals crispy skin, so do not rush the paper towel step
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens quickly once it hits the hot pan
  • Watch carefully in the last minute, honey goes from perfect to burned fast
03 -
  • Pat salmon dry again right before cooking, even after seasoning
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding the fish, those crusty edges are worth it
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