Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
Introduction
This Honey Garlic Salmon recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for busy weeknights. With just five main ingredients and only 15 minutes of cooking time, it delivers a deliciously sticky glaze and tender fish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (all purpose or light soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or any other vinegar except balsamic)
- 1 large garlic clove (or 2 small), minced
- 2 salmon or trout fillets, skinless (6oz / 200g each)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Sesame seeds
- Finely sliced chives or shallots/scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Take salmon out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat salmon dry with a paper towel and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, white vinegar, and minced garlic to make the sauce.
- Step 3: Drizzle olive oil in a non-stick frying pan and heat over medium-high heat (slightly lower if your stove runs hot). Place salmon in the pan and cook the first side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 4: Flip the salmon and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Pour the sauce over the salmon and cook for about 1 minute, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly. Check the side of the salmon to gauge doneness; medium rare is preferred. If the sauce thickens too quickly before the salmon is cooked, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to loosen it.
- Step 5: Remove the salmon from the pan and transfer to serving plates.
- Step 6: Serve the salmon drizzled with the remaining sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds and finely sliced chives or shallots/scallions, if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- If you prefer skin-on salmon, cook skin side down first for a crispier texture.
- Substitute white vinegar with rice vinegar for a milder flavor profile.
- Serve with steamed rice or sautéed vegetables to complete the meal.
Storage
Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat or in the microwave to avoid drying out the fish. The sauce might thicken when refrigerated; add a splash of water when reheating if needed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before cooking to achieve the best texture and avoid extra moisture in the pan.
What can I substitute for honey if I don’t have any?
Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives to honey and will still provide a nice sweetness to the sauce.
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Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A quick and flavorful Honey Garlic Salmon recipe with only 5 main ingredients, perfect for a healthy and delicious meal ready in just 15 minutes. The salmon is pan-seared to a golden finish and glazed with a sticky, sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and fresh chives for an added burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (all purpose or light soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or substitute with any other vinegar except balsamic)
- 1 large garlic clove, minced (or 2 small)
Main
- 2 salmon or trout fillets, skinless (6oz / 200g each)
- Olive oil (for frying)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Finely sliced chives or shallots/scallions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Remove the salmon from the fridge 20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Pat dry the salmon skin with a paper towel and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, white vinegar, and minced garlic until well combined to form the honey garlic sauce.
- Cook the salmon: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat (lower slightly if your stove runs hot). Place the salmon fillets in the pan and cook the first side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and caramelized. Flip the salmon and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden.
- Add the sauce: Pour the honey garlic sauce over the salmon fillets in the pan. Cook for about 1 minute or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly. Check the doneness by looking at the side of the salmon; aim for medium-rare or your preferred doneness. If the sauce thickens too quickly before the salmon is cooked, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to loosen it.
- Plate the salmon: Remove the salmon fillets carefully onto serving plates.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle any remaining sauce from the pan over the salmon. Sprinkle sesame seeds and finely sliced chives or shallots/scallions on top for a fresh and nutty finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Allowing the salmon to come to room temperature before cooking helps it cook evenly.
- You can substitute trout fillets for salmon if preferred.
- Adjust the amount of vinegar to taste but avoid balsamic as it alters the flavor profile.
- If you prefer your salmon more cooked, simply increase cooking times by 1-2 minutes per side.
- Adding water to the sauce prevents it from burning while ensuring the salmon finishes cooking perfectly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Keywords: Honey Garlic Salmon, Easy Salmon Recipe, 5 Ingredient Salmon, Quick Dinner, Healthy Salmon Recipe, Pan-Seared Salmon, Honey Soy Sauce Salmon
