Honey Garlic Salmon
This honey garlic salmon is made in one skillet and finished in a glossy, sticky sauce that actually clings to the fish. No cornstarch, no baking, and no guesswork. Just a simple stovetop reduction that delivers rich garlic flavor with the perfect balance of savory and sweet.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1½ pounds salmon fillets skinless or skin-on
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic finely minced
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add the salmon and sear until golden on the first side, about 3–4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 1–2 minutes. Transfer the salmon to a plate (it will finish cooking later).
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Once the butter melts, add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Stir in the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Return the salmon to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the salmon for 1–2 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and glossy.
- Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and spoon extra sauce over the salmon before serving.
Video
Notes
- Patting the salmon dry before cooking helps it sear properly and improves the texture of the sauce.
- If the sauce thickens too much, stir in a small splash of water or broth off the heat to loosen it.
- Skinless salmon makes this recipe especially quick and easy, but skin-on works just as well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 528kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 1042mg | Potassium: 903mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 705IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg