Honey, Garlic Salmon Fillets Recipe
Honey, garlic salmon fillets are tasty and an easy-to-make dish. The salmon is marinated with a sauce that is a mixture of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and some lemon that then creates a glaze as it bakes. This a great weeknight meal because it is easy to make and does not take long to cook and paired with my homemade roasted asparagus this recipe is a perfect easy dinner.
In this blog post, you will learn how to make honey, garlic salmon fillets.
How to Make Honey, Garlic Salmon Fillets
Remove the salmon fillets from the packaging and pat them dry. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. In your frying pan add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the honey, garlic sauce to the pan and let it heat up for 30 seconds. Next, place the seasoned salmon fillets skin side down and baste them continuously for 3 minutes. Once the time is completed, move the salmon fillets to a parchment paper-lined baking tray and place into the oven to broil. Pour the extra sauce on top of fillets. Put the tray onto the highest rack in your oven and broil. Baste the salmon fillets one more time at the 4-minute mark. Remove from the oven once the sauce has caramelized and the salmon is cooked to the desired doneness. Remove from the oven and then garnish with sesame seeds or parsley and enjoy!
Salmon is cooked when it becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork. For food safety, the thickest part should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), measured with a food thermometer. If you want to use frozen salmon fillets in a recipe, try my easy and zesty citrus salmon recipe.
How to Make the Honey, Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk the honey, water, lemon juice, Frank sauce, soy sauce, and minced garlic cloves together. Now you have your sauce!
What is a Glaze?
A glaze is a thin and glossy coating that is applied to food either during or after cooking. It normally consists of sugar or other sweeteners such as honey, syrups, or sauces that are then combined with other ingredients. As it is cooked or brushed onto the food, the liquid will evaporate leaving the remaining sugars behind.
In this salmon recipe, the fish will be continuously basted in the sauce that you make giving the salmon a nice honey garlic glaze.
What Does it Mean to Broil?
Broiling is a high-heat cooking method where food is placed directly under or above a heat source, typically in an oven, to quickly cook or char the surface. It is similar to grilling, but the heat comes from above.
The broiler setting in an oven uses intense, direct heat to cook food quickly, ideal for creating a crisp, browned exterior while keeping the inside moist and tender. The broiler is used for cooking meats, fish, and vegetables or for melting cheese and adding a golden crust to dishes like casseroles or gratins.
If your stove does not have a broil option on it, merely increase the oven temperature to the hottest that it will go. The broil setting is usually 500℉ or hotter.
What can I serve with honey garlic salmon?
Honey garlic salmon pairs well with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or a fresh salad. These sides complement the sweet and savory sauce and make a delicious, balanced dinner.
Storage Instructions
Allow the honey garlic salmon fillets to cool slightly before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking and store for up to 3–4 days.
Honey garlic salmon can be frozen for up to 3 months for the best quality. Allow the salmon to cool completely, then place the fillets in a freezer-safe airtight container or wrap them securely to help prevent freezer burn.
For the best results, transfer frozen salmon to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight before reheating. Avoid thawing salmon at room temperature.
To keep the salmon moist, place it in a covered baking dish and reheat in the oven at 275°F (135°C) until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave using short intervals at reduced power. Add a little extra honey garlic sauce or broth if needed to prevent the salmon from drying out.
Ingredients
Fresh Salmon Fillets: fresh salmon fillets are used in this dish for its firm and flaky texture. Overall, salmon pairs well with lots of different seasonings like honey mustard in my fresh honey mustard salmon recipe.
Salt: salt enhances the flavour of the salmon.
Black Pepper: black pepper adds a sharp and mildly spicy bite.
Smoked Paprika: smoked paprika infused the salmon with a deep smoky flavour.
Butter: butter is melted on the stovetop for the non-stick coating that also adds richness to the salmon.
Olive Oil: olive oil is also used for the non-stick coating.
Garlic Cloves: garlic cloves infuse the sauce with a rich flavour.
Honey: honey brings the sweetness and creates the sticky glaze that then caramelizes the salmon fillets. If you want to use maple syrup, you can substitute for honey but it adds a slightly different sweetness to the sauce.
Water: the water is needed because it thins out the sauce.
Soy Sauce: soy sauce adds an umami flavour that then balances out the sweetness of the honey.
Frank Sauce: Frank sauce adds a subtle kick and some spice to the sauce.
Lemon Juice: lemon juice cuts through the richness of both the olive oil and butter.
Tips
- You can also substitute garlic powder for minced garlic cloves. Use 2 tsp. of garlic powder as a straight substitute.
- Lastly, garnish with some minced parsley or sesame seeds for a nice finish.
Honey, Garlic Salmon Fillets
Ingredients
Fresh Salmon Fillets Seasoning
- Salmon fillets
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
Honey, Garlic Sauce
- 3 tbsp. butter
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 c. honey
- 2 tbsp. water
- 3 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. Frank sauce
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry then season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- For the honey, garlic sauce, whisk the honey, minced garlic cloves, water, soy sauce, Frank sauce, and lemon juice together in a bowl.
- Preheat oven to the broil temperature and put the rack in the middle position in the oven.
- Place the butter and olive oil into a frying pan. Turn it onto a medium heat and let the butter melt. Once the butter is melted, add the honey, garlic sauce to the pan and let it heat up for 30 seconds.
- Once heated, add the salmon to the frying pan, skin side down and cook for 3 minutes basting frequently. Move the salmon to a baking parchment lined oven tray. Pour the sauce into the tray as well.
- Broil the salmon for 6-7 minutes until salmon is caramelized and cooked to desired doneness. Baste once around the 4 minute mark.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with minced parsley or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best salmon to use for honey garlic salmon?
Fresh or frozen salmon fillets both work well for this recipe. Atlantic salmon is a popular choice because it’s rich, tender, and easy to cook. Sockeye or coho salmon can also be used, although thinner fillets may cook more quickly.
Can I use frozen salmon fillets?
Yes! Frozen salmon can be used, but it’s best to thaw the fillets completely in the refrigerator before cooking. Pat them dry with paper towels to help the honey garlic sauce coat the salmon properly.
Can I make honey garlic salmon ahead of time?
Honey garlic salmon is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until needed. For the best texture and flavor, cook the salmon shortly before serving.
How do I stop the honey garlic sauce from burning?
Honey contains natural sugars that can burn over high heat. Cook the salmon over medium heat and avoid letting the sauce boil too vigorously. If the sauce begins to thicken too quickly, lower the heat and add a small splash of water.
Can I bake honey garlic salmon in the oven?
Yes! Place the salmon fillets in a lightly greased baking dish, coat them with the honey garlic sauce, and bake at 400°F (200°C) until the salmon is cooked through. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets, so check the internal temperature.
Can I make honey garlic salmon without soy sauce?
Yes! You can substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce or use a little extra seasoning and a splash of broth. The flavor will be slightly different, but the honey and garlic will still provide plenty of flavor.
In this blog post, you learned how to make honey, garlic salmon fillets.