Name: Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh salmon; Salt & pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1/4 cup honey; 3 cloves garlic (minced); Chopped fresh parsley (optional, to taste)

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This honey garlic salmon recipe is fast, simple, and uses pantry ingredients! The honey garlic sauce is addictive, and your whole family will love this easy weeknight dinner.

You may also like my Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin or Honey Garlic Shrimp next.

a plate with honey garlic salmon, rice, and broccolini

Why you’ll love it

You can’t go wrong with this sweet and savory pan-seared honey garlic salmon. With this recipe, a weeknight dinner is on the table in about 20 minutes. One lovely reader said “I didn’t think I could pull something like this off, but it was so easy and DELICIOUS!”

I wanted to make this honey salmon as simple and fuss-free as possible. That means very few ingredients and no complicated technique. It’s also great for picky eaters! Salmon is great as is, but slap a sweet sauce on it, and suddenly it becomes even more appealing.

What you’ll need

Salmon – I’ve used either wild sockeye or Atlantic salmon filets. We’re seasoning them directly with salt & pepper.
Olive oil – for pan frying
Lemon juice – a touch of acidity is very important to balance the sweetness of the honey
Soy sauce – for more savory depth of flavor
Honey – the signature sweetness in this dish that goes great with salmon
Garlic – it perfectly complements the honey

ingredients for honey garlic salmon in prep bowls

Recipe note

Sockeye salmon has a rich, robust flavor, while Atlantic salmon has a milder, more delicate taste.

Helpful tips

It’s totally up to you if you eat the skin. You could make this with skinless salmon, or just peel the skin off once it’s cooked.
Using your eyes is the best way to know when salmon is done! The color visibly moves up the fish as it cooks, so the changing color is an easy visual cue.
If the salmon is sticking to the pan, give it a little extra time to release naturally.

How to make honey garlic salmon

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

a salmon filet on a cutting board and pan searing it in a skillet

Cut the salmon filet into 4 pieces, and season them. Heat up the oil, then add in the salmon skin-side up. Cook for about 5 minutes, flip, then continue searing until it’s just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

whisking honey garlic sauce in a prep bowl and adding it to a skillet with salmon

In a bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients together. Pour into the pan, and let it bubble until reduced slightly. Return the fish, and spoon the sauce over top. Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

Cast iron is my go-to for pan searing salmon. I recommend a Le Creuset skillet or this more affordable Lodge skillet.
A fish turner makes the flipping process effortless.
Use a garlic press to quickly mince garlic without having to peel it first, and mix the sauce with this whisk.

Substitutions and variations

The sauce isn’t very thick in this recipe, so if you prefer it to be more of a thicker glaze, you could try adding a cornstarch slurry. Use 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water before adding the fish back to the pan.
Readers have added chili pepper or red pepper flakes to give it a little heat.

What to serve with honey garlic salmon

Rice and a vegetable are my go-to sides. Steamed broccoli or broccolini, Easy Roasted Green Beans, Easy Roasted Cauliflower, carrots, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or my Stovetop Asparagus are great options.
I also like fresh crusty bread along with a bright side salad. Try my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad or Creamy Balsamic Dressing.

Leftovers and storage

Store any leftover salmon for 2-3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Reheat slowly and over a low heat so that the fish doesn’t dry out.
If needed, you can freeze this one, but I generally don’t like freezing salmon since it can change texture.

More easy salmon recipes

four pieces of easy honey garlic salmon in a skillet

Did you make this easy honey garlic salmon? I’d love it if you left a star rating and review below! You can also tag me on Instagram with any S&L recipe you made.

5 from 17 votes