Honey garlic glazed salmon is a quick and easy 30-minute, one-pan dinner recipe that features the most amazing sticky, sweet and savory homemade glaze! This is one of my go-to quick recipes when I am short on time as it uses basic ingredients. It's super flexible - the salmon can be either baked or pan-seared (instructions are provided for both methods). Easy enough to make on a busy weeknight - and fancy enough for entertaining guests. This main course will take only 30 minutes of your time and will surely become a family favorite!
Honey garlic glazed salmon - 30-minute, one-pan recipe
Say goodbye to boring, dried-out salmon. You'll love the combo of sweet and savory flavors in every bite of this protein-packed meal! The honey garlic glaze is completely homemade and super thick (forget the word watery!). The salmon texture is super tender and flaky, and the flavor is big and bold!
- This colorful restaurant-quality meal takes only 30 minutes to make and everything is cooked in one pan. It's perfect for meal prep and busy family weeknights!
- It's one of my go-to quick recipes when I am short on time as it uses basic ingredients. My other favorite quick and easy fish recipe is a pan-seared trout with garlic lemon butter herb sauce.
Simple weeknight dinner
- The recipe is super easy and quick. First, I baked the salmon in the oven with butter and minced garlic. Alternatively, you can sear it in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Then, I coated the fish with the homemade sticky sweet and spicy honey-based glaze. That's it! No need to broil the salmon. Just bake it in the oven or sear it on the stovetop, and then glaze it with the super sticky homemade garlic honey glaze!
- If you want more protein-rich salmon weeknight dinner inspiration, try garlic parmesan crusted salmon and asparagus or this luscious creamy Tuscan salmon with spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Why you'll love glazed salmon
- This recipe is a simple 30-minute, one-pan dinner that tastes (and looks) like a dish from a fine dining restaurant! It's a delicious meal that's easy enough to make on a busy weekday and fancy enough to serve company.
- The clean-up is minimal as the salmon is cooked in one pan.
- Because you bake the fish in the oven, and there is no flipping involved, the salmon keeps its beautiful shape (good for presentation!) without breaking into pieces. The end result is a beautifully glazed salmon.
- Salmon is a highly nutritious food packed with omega-3s and high in protein. This recipe is quick and delicious and a must-have in your rotation for busy weeknights.
Salmon nutrition
- Salmon is high in protein and low in saturated fat.
- It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Your body can’t make them, so you need to consume them through food.
- It's a good source of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. Salmon is also rich in Potassium and Iron.
How to choose the best salmon
Buy the freshest and the most high-quality salmon fillets you can find. I prefer to use either Scottish salmon or Skuna Bay salmon, but, really, any kind of high-quality salmon fillets will work in this recipe. Use the fish as soon as you buy it - within a day - don't let it sit in the fridge for days.
Is salmon better with skin on or off?
- If you were to pan-sear the salmon, it's better to use the salmon with the skin on as it is easier to sear it with the skin on, and the crispy skin is super tasty.
- If you bake the salmon, it doesn't really matter if the fish has skin on or off. In this recipe, I baked the salmon, so it doesn't matter.
- Salmon skin nutrition. According to Healthline, the skin of a salmon contains a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, cooking fillets with the skin on is likely to keep nutrients and oils inside the salmon itself that might otherwise be lost during the preparation process. So, there is a nutritional aspect to consider regarding whether to buy the salmon with the skin or not.
Main Ingredients
- Salmon is a highly nutritious ingredient, rich in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It's low in saturated fat and a good source of several vitamins and minerals. In this recipe, I baked to perfection until flaky. You can also pan-sear it.
- Garlic adds pungency and spicy aroma.
- Butter. I use a small amount of salted butter in this recipe.
- Honey adds sweetness and a "sticky" factor to the glaze.
- Soy sauce provides a salty and savory contrast to honey. You can also use tamari sauce instead.
- Lime juice (freshly squeezed) provides just the right amount of acidity. You can also use lemon juice.
- Red chili flakes add the spice and the heat to the sticky sweet and savory glaze. Don't skip them!
- Fig spread is a must-have ingredient that adds texture, flavor, and a "sticky" quality to the glaze. I used the fig spread by the Divina brand. This brand also has Chili Fig Spread that I highly recommend - in this case, you can skip the red chili flakes.
The Directions
Below are step-by-step photos and instructions. The more detailed recipe is provided in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
1) First, you will preheat the oven to 375 F. Grease the bottom of the baking dish with butter. Add salmon fillets.
2) Sprinkle the salmon with salt and minced garlic on top and around.
3) Then, add thin slices of butter on top of each salmon fillet.
4) You will bake it in the preheated oven at 375 F for about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven.
5) In the meantime, while the salmon is baking, prepare the honey glaze by combining 3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ¼ cup of fig spread, red pepper flakes (if using) in a medium bowl.
6) Next, spread the honey glaze over each salmon fillet. Return the salmon to the oven for about 2 or 5 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your likeness. Note: Salmon is done when it flakes easily with the fork and the internal temperature measures 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
2 Methods for cooking salmon: baked or pan-seared
Honey glazed salmon can be prepared in 2 ways: pan-seared on the stovetop or baked in the oven. It's up to you which method to use. I personally prefer the baked version - it's less messy and much more fool-proof to ensure your fish doesn't fall apart.
- How to pan-sear the salmon. Heat a large high-sided cast-iron skillet (10-inch diameter) over medium heat on the stovetop for 2 minutes to heat through. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add seasoned salmon fillets skin side up and cook, undisturbed, for about 5 or 7 minutes. Flip the salmon over to the other side, and cook for several minutes more until it's cooked through.
- How to bake the salmon. Bake the seasoned salmon in a baking dish in a preheated oven at 375 F for around 10 or 15 minutes until it is cooked through.
How to not overcook the salmon
- The salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork.
- The best way to know when the fish is done is to use the meat thermometer. The instant thermometer should register an internal temperature of 145 F when the salmon is cooked. Be sure to pull the salmon out of the oven at a bit lower temperature (between 130 F and 135 F) and let the fish rest as it will continue cooking in its residual heat until it reaches 145 F.
How to make sure the honey garlic glaze doesn't get watery?
In this recipe, it's highly unlikely to have a watery glaze. Why? Because the glaze is thickened with the fig spread which provides a sticky texture, volume, and amazing flavor that goes well with the rest of the glaze ingredients (soy sauce, honey, lime juice). Using a fig spread is a fool-proof way to have a nice, thick glaze for salmon. If your glaze somehow gets watery, just add more fig spread.
How to make it ahead
- You can prepare the homemade honey glaze up to 2 days in advance. Keep it refrigerated in a glass mason jar with a lid on.
- Cook the salmon within the 2 days of purchase (and keep it refrigerated at all times).
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerate the leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat it in the microwave in 30 seconds increments until completely heated through.
- Reheat it in the preheated oven at 350 F for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
- I do not recommend freezing this dish.
Variations and substitutions
- Salmon and trout are very similar so you can safely use this recipe with trout fillets, including rainbow trout and steelhead trout.
- Honey can be replaced with an equal amount of brown sugar or maple syrup.
- Use either low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce.
- Fig spread is used in this recipe to add texture and a "sticky" factor to the glazed salmon. You can also use other fruit preserves and spreads with thick textures, such as peach or apricot preserves.
What to serve with glazed salmon?
- Pasta. Serve cooked salmon over simple pasta, such as spaghetti, angel hair, or fettuccine. Make an extra amount of sticky honey garlic glaze to spread over the pasta.
- Make a rice bowl by combining cooked rice, honey glazed salmon with chopped fruit, and veggies. This might include mangoes, peaches, avocado, bell peppers, etc.
- Roasted vegetables. Make a side of roasted veggies, such as asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.
Other salmon recipes you might like
- Salmon Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Spinach
- Cilantro Lime Honey Garlic Salmon
- Asian Salmon and Noodles with Mushrooms and Snow Peas
- Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon and Asparagus
- Mediterranean Pan-Seared Salmon with Spinach
- Pan-Seared Creamy Tuscan Salmon with Garlic, Spinach, Artichokes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Capers
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon - One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal
Ingredients
Salmon
- 24 oz salmon fillets (about 3 or 4 salmon fillets)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Honey Glaze
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed (or use lemon juice)
- ¼ cup fig spread (I prefer to use Divina brand)
- red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
Cook the salmon
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Make sure the salmon doesn't have extra moisture. If using frozen salmon, defrost it completely and get rid of any extra moisture. Prepare salmon by patting it dry with paper towels.
- Grease the bottom of the baking dish with butter. Add salmon fillets skin side down.
- Sprinkle the salmon with salt and minced garlic on top and around. Add thin slices of butter on top of each salmon fillet.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Note: if you would like to pan-sear the salmon on the stovetop instead, see instructions in the Recipe Notes below.
How to make the glaze
- While the salmon is baking, prepare the glaze.
- In a medium, high-sided bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice, and ¼ cup of fig spread (I like to use Divina brand). Mix everything well. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes to taste. Note: You can skip the red pepper flakes if you use Chili Fig Spread (Divina brand).
Assembly
- Spread the glaze over each salmon fillet.
- Return the salmon to the oven for about 2 or 5 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your likeness.
- Note: Salmon is done when it flakes easily with the fork and the internal temperature measures 145 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
Notes
- Should you bake or pan-sear the salmon? Honey glazed salmon can be prepared in 2 ways: pan-seared on the stovetop or baked in the oven. It's up to you which method to use. I personally prefer the baked version - it's less messy and much more fool-proof to ensure your salmon doesn't fall apart. I use the baking method in this recipe. If you would like to pan-sear the salmon on the stovetop, see the instructions below: ⬇️
- How to pan-sear the salmon. Heat a large high-sided cast-iron skillet (10-inch diameter) over medium heat on the stovetop for 2 minutes to heat through. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add seasoned salmon fillets skin side up and cook, undisturbed, for about 5 or 7 minutes. Flip the salmon over to the other side, and cook for several minutes more until it's cooked through.
- Make sure salmon does not have extra moisture. If using frozen salmon, defrost it completely and get rid of any extra moisture. Prepare salmon by patting it dry with paper towels.
- How to make sure the honey garlic glaze doesn't get watery? In this recipe, you will never have a watery glaze. Why? Because the glaze is thickened with the fig spread which provides a sticky texture, volume, and amazing flavor that goes well with the rest of the glaze ingredients (soy sauce, honey, lime juice).
- Fig spread is a must-have ingredient that adds texture, flavor, and a "sticky" quality to the glaze. It's a fool-proof way to have a thick glaze that doesn't get watery. I used the fig spread by the Divina brand. It has a nice thick texture. It is usually sold in most grocery stores. This brand also has Chili Fig Spread that I highly recommend - in this case, you can skip the red chili flakes.
- Use other fruit spreads and preserves that have a nice thick texture similar to the fig spread. It can be peach or apricot spread, for example. Or a different brand of the fig spread. The most important thing is to pay attention to the texture of the spread - it should be thick.
- Add fresh herbs for presentation purposes. Top the salmon with finely chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, fresh basil, fresh thyme, or chives. This will add some color to the glaze.
- Helpful step-by-step photos are provided in the recipe post if you scroll up above the recipe card.
Nutrition
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Julia, my dinner party guests all loved it and wanted the recipe, LOL. Tasted great , delicious. Thanks for the tips about not overcooking the fish - I always do.
I am so glad you found this recipe helpful and that the guests enjoyed it, too! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing such a positive comment!
It's so simple and delicious, loved it! Even my husband who supposedly doesn't eat fish was very impressed! Will make again.
I am so flattered that even your husband who doesn't like fish liked this! 🙂
I made this last night for the first time. I used garlic powder instead of fresh garlic and it really good! Not heavy, the filling. easy and quick to make.
Glad you give this recipe a try and enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by and the 5-star rating! 🙂