This Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon is the kind of dinner that feels fancy but comes together fast perfect for busy weeknights or an easy “look what I made” weekend meal. The glaze is sweet, tangy, and savory thanks to honey, soy sauce, fresh lemon, and a gentle kick of red pepper flakes. If you’re hunting for a quick salmon dinner or an easy honey garlic salmon recipe to add to your rotation, this one delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Everything happens in one skillet, the sauce turns glossy in minutes, and the lemon slices make it bright and fresh. Your kitchen will smell amazing.
table of contents
Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients List
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), patted dry
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large skillet (preferably nonstick or cast iron)
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs or fish spatula
- Spoon (for basting)
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Mix the glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes until smooth and combined.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 Tbsp olive oil and heat until shimmering (hot but not smoking).
- Sear the salmon: Add salmon skin-side up. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes until the top is lightly seared and the fillet releases easily.
- Flip + add aromatics: Flip salmon skin-side down. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant (don’t let it brown). 🧄
- Glaze it: Pour in the honey mixture and add lemon rounds. Simmer about 3 minutes, basting salmon with the sauce until it looks glossy and slightly thicker. 🍯
- Serve: Remove from heat. Spoon extra sauce and lemon slices over the salmon. Serve right away. 😋
Multitask tip: While the salmon sears, slice the lemon and set your serving plates—this goes fast!
Pro Tips
- Don’t overcook: Salmon is best when it flakes easily but stays moist. Pull it as soon as it’s just cooked through.
- Make it meal-prep friendly: Store cooked salmon and sauce separately if possible—reheat gently.
- Swap the heat: Reduce red pepper flakes for mild, or add a pinch more for extra kick.
- Serving ideas: Great with rice, quinoa, roasted broccoli, or a crisp cucumber salad.
Nutrition Table (Estimated)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fillet + glaze | 552 | 34g | 35g | 32g | 1g | 29g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Add the salmon skin-side up and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Flip the salmon skin-side down, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the garlic and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the honey mixture and add the lemon rounds. Simmer about 3 minutes, basting often, until the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened.
- Serve immediately with extra sauce spooned over the salmon and lemon slices on top.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
If you want a fast dinner that tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, this Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon is it. The glaze turns sticky and shiny in minutes, the lemon keeps it bright, and it all happens in one pan easy cleanup, big payoff. Save it now, because you’ll crave it again. 🍋