That moment when the honey glaze caramelizes on a perfectly cooked salmon fillet? Pure magic. I’ve been making this honey glazed salmon recipe for years, and it never fails to impress. The sweet-savory balance hits just right, creating this incredible flavor that makes even salmon skeptics come back for seconds. What makes this recipe special is how the honey creates this gorgeous glaze that locks in moisture while adding the perfect amount of sweetness. Trust me, you’ll want to keep reading for the secret to getting that perfect caramelization without burning the honey.
More Salmon Recipes ideas
Why You’ll Love This Honey Glazed Salmon
Ever tried making glazed salmon only to have the sauce slide right off? Been there. This recipe solves that problem with a technique I discovered after countless failed attempts. The first time I served this at a dinner party, my friend Lisa (who claims to hate all seafood) asked for the recipe before dessert was even served!
What’s great about this honey glazed salmon recipe is how flexible it is. Got no garlic? No problem. Prefer a spicier kick? Easy fix. You can make this recipe your own while still enjoying that irresistible honey glaze that makes this dish so special. Now let’s get into what you’ll need to make this happen in your kitchen tonight.
Ingredients for Perfect Honey Glazed Salmon
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) – Fresh is best, but frozen works too. Just make sure to thaw completely and pat dry
- Salt and black pepper – Kosher salt gives better control for seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil – For searing; can sub avocado oil for a higher smoke point
For the Honey Glaze:
- ¼ cup honey – The star ingredient! Raw honey has more flavor but regular works fine
- 3 tbsp soy sauce – Adds that umami depth; low-sodium is fine if you’re watching salt intake
- 2 cloves garlic, minced – Fresh is way better than pre-minced here
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice – Brightens everything up; bottled works in a pinch
- 1 tsp dijon mustard – Secret ingredient that helps the glaze stick to the salmon
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes – Optional but adds nice heat; adjust to taste
If you’re gluten-free, swap the soy sauce for tamari. Vegan? Sorry, this one’s not for you unless you’re cool with using this glaze on tofu (which actually works pretty well).
How to Make Honey Glazed Salmon
Step 1: Prep the Salmon
- Take salmon out of fridge 15 mins before cooking (room temp fish cooks more evenly)
- Pat fillets dry with paper towels (super important for a good sear)
- Season both sides with salt and pepper
- Check for pin bones by running fingers over the flesh and remove with tweezers if found
Step 2: Make the Honey Glaze
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, dijon and red pepper flakes
- Heat mixture in microwave for 20 seconds or in small saucepan until honey is more fluid
- Set aside 2 tbsp of glaze for serving (don’t contaminate this portion with raw fish)
Step 3: Cook the Salmon
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking
- Place salmon fillets skin-side up (if they have skin) and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden crust forms
- Flip carefully using fish spatula (look for opaque color about ¼ inch up the sides)
- Reduce heat to medium and brush half the glaze onto fillets
- Cook another 3-4 minutes until internal temp reaches 125°F for medium rare or 130°F for medium
- During last minute, brush on remaining glaze and watch carefully to prevent burning
Step 4: Rest and Serve
- Remove salmon from heat and let rest 3 minutes (it’ll continue cooking a bit)
- Drizzle with reserved clean glaze just before serving
- Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork but still has a slightly translucent center. If you prefer well-done salmon, cook until completely opaque but be careful not to overcook!
Tasty Variations of Honey Glazed Salmon
Honey Garlic Salmon Deluxe
Double the garlic and add 1 tbsp of butter to the glaze for an extra rich flavor profile that’s insanely good.
Spicy Honey Glazed Salmon
Add 1-2 tsp of sriracha or gochujang to the glaze mixture. The heat balances the sweetness perfectly.
Honey Soy Salmon with Ginger
Add 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the glaze for an Asian-inspired twist that works great with a side of rice.
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Salmon
Replace half the honey with brown sugar for a deeper, more caramelized flavor that’s incredible for fall dinners.
Citrus Honey Glazed Salmon
Add orange zest and replace lemon juice with orange juice for a brighter, more summery version.
Honey Glazed Salmon
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Fish spatula
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Paper towels
- Tweezers (for pin bones)
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets 6 oz each
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Honey Glaze:
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Prep the Salmon:
- Remove salmon from the fridge 15 minutes before cooking.
- Pat fillets dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Check for pin bones and remove if necessary.
Make the Honey Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat in the microwave for 20 seconds or warm in a small saucepan until fluid.
- Set aside 2 tbsp of the glaze for serving.
Cook the Salmon:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place salmon fillets skin-side up and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden.
- Flip carefully and reduce heat to medium.
- Brush half of the glaze onto fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Brush remaining glaze on top and cook until the internal temp reaches 125°F (medium-rare) or 130°F (medium).
Rest and Serve:
- Remove salmon from heat and let rest for 3 minutes.
- Drizzle with reserved clean glaze before serving.
- Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Does honey go well with salmon?
Absolutely! Honey and salmon are a perfect match. The natural sweetness of honey complements the rich, fatty nature of salmon while helping create that beautiful caramelization. The key is balancing the honey with savory elements like soy sauce and garlic to prevent it from being too sweet.
How to make glaze for salmon?
The best salmon glaze needs a balance of sweet, savory, acid and a thickening agent. For this honey glaze, simply whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, garlic, and dijon mustard. The dijon not only adds flavor but helps the glaze stick to the salmon. Heat it slightly to make it more fluid for brushing.
What sauces go well with salmon?
Beyond this honey glaze, salmon pairs beautifully with lemon butter sauce, teriyaki, miso glaze, dill sauce, or even a simple herb oil. The rich flavor of salmon stands up well to both bold and delicate sauces, making it super versatile.
What is the most flavorful way to cook salmon?
I find pan-searing then finishing with a glaze (like in this honey glazed salmon recipe) gives the most flavor. You get the caramelization from the sear plus the flavor from the glaze. For an even more intense flavor, try grilling honey glazed salmon – the smoky char takes it to another level.
Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon?
It depends on what you’re going for! Pan-frying gives you that perfect crispy exterior with a tender center, and works best for this honey glazed salmon recipe. Baking is more hands-off and forgiving if you’re cooking for a crowd. For the best of both worlds, sear in a pan first, then finish in the oven.
Making This Honey Glazed Salmon Your Own
There’s something special about serving a dish that makes people close their eyes when they take the first bite. That’s what this honey glazed salmon does. Every time I make it, I think of my grandfather who taught me that good food doesn’t need to be complicated – it just needs care and quality ingredients.
This recipe strikes that perfect balance between cooking tradition and modern flavors. The technique is timeless, but the flavor combinations keep it fresh and exciting. Whether you follow it exactly or put your own spin on it, this honey glazed salmon recipe creates a moment around your table – and isn’t that what cooking is all about?
Make it, share it, adjust it to make it yours. And when someone asks for the recipe (they will), send them my way.