Name: HONEY GARLIC SALMON Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 4 fillets salmon (6 ounces each); salt and pepper (to taste); lemon wedges (for serving); 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted; 2 green onions, sliced

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There is something truly magical about making HONEY GARLIC SALMON in your own kitchen. This dish perfectly balances the sweetness of honey with the savory depth of soy sauce, accented by the fragrant punch of garlic and ginger. The salmon fillets emerge tender, flaky, and glazed with a luscious sauce that invites you to savor every bite. Easy enough for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough for guests, HONEY GARLIC SALMON is a go-to recipe that brings warmth and delight to any table.

HONEY GARLIC SALMON Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this HONEY GARLIC SALMON recipe plays a crucial role, from creating bold flavors to achieving perfect texture and color. These simple staples come together effortlessly to deliver a dish that’s both wholesome and irresistibly tasty.

Salmon fillets (4, 6 ounces each): Fresh, firm fillets provide the rich, buttery base for the dish.
Honey (1/4 cup): Adds natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze.
Soy sauce (1/4 cup): Gives a savory umami depth that balances the honey’s sweetness.
Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Offers a bold, aromatic flavor that infuses the salmon throughout.
Fresh ginger (1 tablespoon, grated): Brings a subtle, zesty warmth and brightens the sauce.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Used to toast sesame seeds and add a nutty aroma.
Sesame seeds (1 tablespoon, toasted): Adds crunch and a toasty, nutty flavor as a perfect topping.
Green onions (2, sliced): Provides a fresh, sharp contrast and vibrant color garnish.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the salmon perfectly.
Lemon wedges: Adds a bright, citrusy finish to each bite.

How to Make HONEY GARLIC SALMON

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). This moderate temperature is ideal for gently cooking the salmon so it remains juicy and tender with just enough time for the glaze to caramelize beautifully on top.

Step 2: Prepare the Honey Garlic Mixture

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until you have a smooth, fragrant sauce. This blend of sweet and savory flavors is the heart of the HONEY GARLIC SALMON and will soak right into the fish while it bakes.

Step 3: Season and Arrange the Salmon

Season the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the natural flavors. Then, place the fillets skin-side down in a baking dish, ensuring they’re spaced out so the honey garlic sauce can evenly coat every piece.

Step 4: Coat the Salmon with Sauce

Pour the honey garlic mixture over the salmon fillets. Take a moment to use a spoon to gently spread the sauce, making sure each fillet is covered. This step guarantees that every forkful will be bursting with flavor.

Step 5: Bake the Salmon

Place the salmon in your preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the salmon flakes easily with a fork and has reached your preferred level of doneness. Keep an eye on it to avoid drying out the salmon while allowing the glaze to set.

Step 6: Toast the Sesame Seeds

While the salmon is baking, warm the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame seeds and stir frequently for approximately 2 minutes until they turn a lovely golden brown. Toasted sesame seeds add a perfect crunchy texture and a nutty flavor to crown your salmon.

Step 7: Rest and Garnish

Once baked, let the salmon rest in the dish for a few minutes—this helps the juices redistribute for maximum moisture. Then sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions on top for a deliciously fresh, colorful finish.

How to Serve HONEY GARLIC SALMON

Garnishes

The final touches matter! Garnish your HONEY GARLIC SALMON with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions to introduce texture and bright flavors that contrast beautifully with the rich glaze. Adding lemon wedges on the side offers a refreshing citrus squeeze to brighten each bite.

Side Dishes

This salmon pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Think steamed jasmine rice or fluffy quinoa to soak up that glorious sauce. For vegetables, roasted asparagus, garlic green beans, or lightly sautéed bok choy lend a vibrant, earthy balance that complements the sweetness and savoriness of the fish.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stylish dinner, serve the salmon on a bed of fresh greens or alongside crispy baked sweet potato fries. Drizzle any extra honey garlic sauce over the top and finish with microgreens or edible flowers for a pop of color that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any HONEY GARLIC SALMON left, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. It will stay fresh for up to 2 days, making it perfect for a quick lunch or dinner on the go.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked salmon, but it’s best to do so without the sauce to preserve texture. Wrap the fillets tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen salmon can keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat your HONEY GARLIC SALMON without drying it out, warm it gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 275°F (135°C) until just heated through. Adding a splash of water or extra sauce helps maintain moisture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, frozen salmon works great for HONEY GARLIC SALMON. Just be sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before cooking to ensure even baking and the best texture.

Is it necessary to remove the salmon skin?

It’s not necessary to remove the skin; cooking salmon skin-side down helps protect the flesh and can add a tasty, crispy bite if desired. Plus, it makes handling the fillets easier during cooking.

Can I make this recipe on the stovetop instead of baking?

Definitely! You can pan-sear the salmon skin-side down first, then flip and add the honey garlic sauce to the pan to cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the salmon beautifully.

How do I adjust the sweetness or saltiness?

Feel free to customize the balance by adding more honey if you prefer it sweeter or using low-sodium soy sauce if you want to reduce saltiness. Taste the sauce before coating the salmon to get it just right.

Can I substitute other types of fish?

While this recipe shines with salmon, other firm fish like cod or halibut can also work well with the honey garlic sauce, though cooking times may need adjustment based on thickness.

Final Thoughts

There is something deeply satisfying about making HONEY GARLIC SALMON that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant but with the comfort of home cooking. The combination of sweet, garlicky sauce and tender, flaky salmon is guaranteed to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Give it a try tonight and watch it quickly become a dish everyone asks for again and again.

HONEY GARLIC SALMON Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 25 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

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Description

This honey garlic salmon recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory glaze over tender, baked salmon fillets. The combination of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and fresh ginger creates a flavorful marinade that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, this easy and healthy dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the salmon evenly.
Make Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined to create the flavorful glaze.
Prepare Salmon: Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides, then place them skin-side down in a baking dish for even cooking.
Apply Marinade: Pour the honey garlic mixture evenly over the salmon fillets, ensuring all pieces are well coated for maximum flavor.
Bake Salmon: Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches your desired level of doneness.
Toast Sesame Seeds: While the salmon bakes, heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
Rest Salmon: Once cooked, remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute and enhance tenderness.
Add Garnish: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the salmon for a delicious crunch and fresh flavor.
Serve: Serve the salmon with lemon wedges on the side to add a bright, citrusy finish to the dish.

Notes

Make sure not to overbake the salmon to keep it moist and flaky.
For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari.
Using fresh ginger and garlic enhances the recipe’s aroma and taste.
To toast sesame seeds evenly, stir constantly and watch closely to prevent burning.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Asian-inspired