Name: Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 (6 oz each) salmon filets; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika); 1/4 tsp blackening seasoning (optional); 3 Tbsp butter; 2 tsp olive oil; 6 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup honey; 3 Tbsp water; 3 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce; 2 Tbsp lemon juice

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a dish that’s sweet, savory, and easy to pull together on a busy weeknight. This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe delivers that perfect balance of flavors with a sticky, garlicky glaze that makes every bite feel special.

The image shows three pieces of cooked salmon with a shiny, dark orange glaze that has a sticky, slightly thick texture. The salmon is seasoned with black pepper and small bits of green herbs, mostly on the top surface, which looks juicy and tender. The middle piece is being held by a silver fork, with a small chunk pulled away revealing the soft light pink inside. All salmon pieces rest closely in a pan, with the dark orange sauce around them giving a glossy look. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I make this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe, it’s a total crowd-pleaser. The glaze is lovely and sticky, clinging perfectly without overpowering the rich salmon. Plus, it comes together so quickly—ideal when you want something impressive but don’t have hours to fuss in the kitchen.

Fast and Simple: Ready in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights or last-minute dinner plans.
Irresistible Flavor Combo: Sweet honey, savory garlic, and just a hint of heat from sriracha create a mouthwatering balance.
Flexible Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand, so no special trips required.
Perfectly Caramelized Finish: Broiling gives the salmon a delightful caramelized edge you’ll want to savor.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe’s ingredients are simple but thoughtful, working together to highlight the salmon’s natural richness while adding layers of flavor. When shopping, aim for fresh, firm salmon steaks and real honey for the best results.

Flat lay of fresh whole salmon filets with vibrant orange-pink flesh, a small pile of coarse kosher salt crystals, a few whole black peppercorns, a small heap of bright red smoked paprika powder, a small pat of creamy butter, a small white bowl with golden olive oil, a cluster of whole garlic bulbs with some cloves separated but unpeeled, a small white bowl filled with thick amber honey, a small white bowl of clear water, a small white bowl containing dark soy sauce, a small white bowl holding bright red sriracha sauce, and a small white bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salmon filets: Opt for wild-caught if possible—it has a cleaner flavor and firmer texture that holds up nicely to the glaze.
Kosher salt: Enhances flavor without overpowering; helps bring out the salmon’s natural taste.
Black pepper: Adds subtle background heat; freshly ground is always best.
Smoked paprika: Imparts a gentle smokiness that deepens the overall taste; you can swap for regular paprika if preferred.
Blackening seasoning (optional): Great for adding a slight kick and extra complexity if you like bolder flavors.
Butter: Gives the sauce a rich, silky mouthfeel and helps the glaze caramelize beautifully.
Olive oil: Prevents the butter from burning and adds a subtle fruity note.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings pungency and aroma that’s essential for that classic honey garlic profile.
Honey: The star of the show; its natural sweetness balances garlic and heat perfectly while thickening the glaze nicely.
Water: Keeps the sauce from getting too thick too fast during cooking.
Soy sauce: Adds savory umami depth and a touch of saltiness that complements the honey beautifully.
Sriracha sauce: Provides just the right amount of spicy kick to lift the flavors without overwhelming.
Lemon juice: Cuts through the richness with bright acidity, balancing the sweetness and making the dish feel fresh.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing with this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe depending on the mood or what’s in my pantry. Don’t be afraid to tweak the spice level or experiment with citrus to make it uniquely yours.

Spice it up: If you like more heat, add extra sriracha or throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper. I tried this once for a dinner party, and it got rave reviews!
Herb twist: Stir in some chopped fresh basil or thyme right before serving for an herbal note that brightens the glaze nicely.
Honey swap: For a deeper flavor, try swapping regular honey with wildflower honey or even agave syrup for a subtle difference.
Cooking method tweak: Instead of broiling, you can finish the salmon in a hot oven at 425°F for about 8-10 minutes if you don’t have a broiler.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

Two large pieces of golden-brown cooked fish lay in a white pan with a shiny, dark brown sauce covering them. The fish has a slightly crisp texture on the outside, with small green herb pieces sprinkled over the top. A woman's hand holds a silver spoon above one piece of fish, dripping thick sauce onto it. The background shows the inside of the pan with some sauce pooling around the fish, all against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Seasoning the Salmon Just Right

After patting the salmon dry with paper towels, I sprinkle on kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and optionally a bit of blackening seasoning. Make sure every filet is well-coated—it helps the glaze stick better later. I’ve learned that drying the fish properly beforehand is key to getting that lovely sear and preventing steaming.

Step 2: Prepping the Sauce in the Skillet

Heat butter and olive oil on medium-high in an oven-safe skillet—once the butter melts, toss in minced garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice. Give it about 30 seconds for the sauce to warm through and meld. This quick step gets the flavors singing and keeps garlic from burning.

Step 3: Cooking the Salmon and Building Flavor

Place salmon skin-side down (if it has skin) right into the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the fillets frequently to baste them—that’s how the glaze really clings and caramelizes later on. This step infuses flavor deep into the fish.

Step 4: Broiling to Perfection

Slide the skillet under the broiler with your oven rack set in the middle position (very important!). Broil for 5-6 minutes, basting the salmon once more halfway through. Keep a close eye so the honey glaze caramelizes without burning. You’ll know it’s done when the edges look golden and slightly crisp while the center flakes easily.

Top Tip

From my many runs making this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe, a few key tips make all the difference in nailing the flavor and texture every time.

Middle Rack for Broiling: Always place your pan in the middle of the oven when broiling to prevent the glaze from burning before the salmon is cooked through.
Pat Salmon Dry: Moisture on the fish surface will steam the salmon instead of giving you that crispy edge, so pat it dry thoroughly before seasoning.
Baste Frequently: Spoon that delicious glaze over the salmon often while cooking to build up layers of flavor and get a nice sticky coating.
Watch the Broiler: Honey burns quickly, so stay close during broiling and check the salmon to ensure a perfect caramelization instead of a burnt finish.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

honey garlic salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh minced parsley—it adds a pop of color and a burst of herbal brightness that balances the rich glaze beautifully. Sometimes, I’ll add a squeeze of extra lemon juice for an uplifting zing.

Side Dishes

This salmon pairs wonderfully with simple steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans, buttery mashed potatoes, or even fluffy jasmine rice that soaks up every bit of that honey garlic sauce. I once served it alongside roasted asparagus and it was a hit!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I love plating the salmon on a bed of wilted spinach or arugula dressed with lemon vinaigrette. Drizzle extra glaze around the plate and garnish with thinly sliced green onions or toasted sesame seeds for a restaurant-style look that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover honey garlic salmon keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to let it cool completely before storing—it prevents sogginess and keeps the glaze intact.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this glazed salmon because the texture can change a bit after thawing, but if you do, wrap the filets tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming the salmon gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra lemon juice to refresh the glaze. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the texture flaky and moist rather than rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe?

Yes! You can use frozen salmon, but be sure to thaw it completely and pat it very dry before cooking to ensure the glaze sticks and the salmon cooks evenly.

What if I don’t have a broiler—can I bake the salmon instead?

Absolutely. You can bake the salmon at 425°F (220°C) for 8-10 minutes, then baste with glaze and switch to the oven's grill setting or a high heat for the last 2 minutes to get some caramelization.

Is there a substitute for sriracha if I want less spice?

Definitely. You can replace sriracha with a milder hot sauce or simply omit it for a sweeter glaze. Adding a pinch of smoked paprika can also bring complexity without heat.

How do I know when the salmon is perfectly cooked?

The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork but still looks moist. The internal temperature should read 125°F to 130°F for medium doneness. The broiling time of 5-6 minutes usually gets this just right.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes whenever I want something quick yet special. It’s approachable for cooks of all levels, comforting to eat, and impressive enough to serve guests without breaking a sweat. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again, just like I do!