Honey Garlic Salmon
Make Honey Garlic Salmon tonight: Honey Garlic Salmon glazes quickly for a glossy, caramelized weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 filets (about 4 ounces each) salmon, (skin on)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic, (minced)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice, ( (plus extra to serve))
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and position the oven rack
Arrange the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to broil. This first action sets the environment for a quick high-heat finish — get the oven hot so the salmon will char beautifully at the end.
Step 2: Season the salmon
Pat the 4 skin-on salmon filets dry and sprinkle evenly with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Let them rest briefly on a small white plate so the seasoning adheres while you prepare the butter and aromatics.
Step 3: Melt butter and soften garlic
In an oven-safe skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat until it becomes glossy and fragrant, then add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and sauté just about a minute until soft and aromatic but not browned. This step builds the buttery garlic base that will carry the sweet-salty glaze.
Step 4: Add the glaze ingredients and combine
Add 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 4 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to the skillet, stirring to dissolve and combine into a shiny amber glaze that begins to loosen and coat the pan. Let the mixture blend briefly until glossy and cohesive, tasting for a bright balance of sweet, salty, and citrus.
Step 5: Add salmon, sear and baste
Nestle the seasoned salmon filets skin-side down into the skillet so the skin meets the hot butter-glaze, cooking for 3–4 minutes while regularly spooning the thickened sauce over the tops to build a sticky, caramelizing coat. The fillets should develop a slightly crisp skin and a glossy, honeyed surface from continual basting.
Step 6: Broil to finish
Carefully transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated broiler and broil for 5–6 minutes, watching for a nicely charred, deeply caramelized top while the interior reaches flaky doneness. This quick high heat creates the signature darkened edges and concentrated glaze on the fish.
Step 7: Rest, finish with lemon and serve
Remove the skillet from the oven, spoon the remaining pan glaze over the fillets, and finish with an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the honey-garlic richness before transferring to plates or serving straight from the pan. Arrange alongside roasted Brussels sprouts or a simple green, and serve immediately for the best glossy, textured presentation.
Notes
- Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure a crisp skin.
- Watch the broiler closely to avoid burning the glaze.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Baste frequently to build a glossy, sticky coating.