This Honey Garlic Salmon is a terrific way to serve salmon that is just sooooo crazy quick and soooo crazy delicious! Head here to see all my quick and easy salmon recipes!
Honey Garlic Salmon recipe original published March 2015. Refreshed with new photos and video in 2017.
HONEY GARLIC SALMON SAUCE
This Honey Garlic Salmon recipe is all about the sauce. Just four simple pantry essentials in the right proportions – soy sauce, honey, garlic and vinegar.
I used to just whisk up the Sauce and pour it over pan seared Salmon. Then I started adding the sauce into the skillet with the salmon, and that’s even better, so I decided it was time to refresh this recipe (which I posted originally posted in March 2015!) plus I’ve added a recipe video.
When you first mix up the sauce, you won’t think it’s anything special. In fact, it’s pretty flat tasting just as it is. There are some sauces that steal the limelight in a dish – like Sweet & Sour Sauce and the Lemon Cream Sauce in this baked fish.
And then there are other sauces that are designed to compliment the dish it’s served with, rather than taking centre stage itself.
This Honey Garlic Sauce is one of those (as is Garlic Butter with salmon!) Once it’s cooked with the salmon and it caramelises…. WOWEE!!!
HOW LONG TO COOK SALMON?
3 to 4 minutes on the first side and 2 to 3 minutes on the second side for a standard fillet that’s about 2.5cm / 1″ thick at the thickest part.
This will yield a salmon that is perfectly cooked to medium rare – so the flesh flakes when you cut into it, it’s beautifully moist and coral inside rather than a pale pink / white.
Salmon is a fatty fish so it’s more forgiving if overcooked slightly. But when perfectly cooked, it’s a thing of beauty!!
This Honey Garlic Salmon recipe is a firm favourite in my household – and it’s been a reader favourite for many years now, ever since I first published it!
It’s a terrific quick and easy way to cook salmon that makes the most of all that we love about salmon – it’s juicy flesh, the salmon flavour, and how the surface caramelises beautifully when seared with the right sauce.
For a quick and easy meal, serve it with a side of steamed vegetables, like broccolini or asparagus shown in the photos. Add some bread or mashed potato for mopping up the sauce, and you’ve got a quick dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes! – Nagi xx
More fish recipes!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Honey Garlic Salmon recipe video!
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Honey Garlic Salmon (5 Ingredients, 15 Minutes)
Ingredients
Sauce
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (all purpose or light soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp white vinegar (or sub with any other vinegar except balsamic)
- 1 large garlic clove (or 2 small) , minced
Salmon
- 2 salmon or trout fillets, skinless (6oz / 200g each)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Sesame seeds
- Finely sliced chives or shallots/scallions
Instructions
- Take salmon out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat salmon skin dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Whisk together the Sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Drizzle oil in a non stick fry pan and heat over medium high heat (or just under, if your stove runs hot). Place salmon in the pan, and cook the first side for 3 – 4 minutes until golden. Turn, then cook the other side for 2 – 3 minutes or until golden.
- Pour Sauce over salmon. Cook for 1 minute or until it starts to thicken slightly. Check the side of the salmon to tell how cooked through the middle is – I like mine medium rare inside. (Note 1). If Sauce thickens too much before your salmon is cooked to your taste, just add water 1 tbsp at a time.
- Remove onto serving plates.
- Serve salmon drizzled with Sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds and chives/shallots, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Currently in Fiji and receiving the usual daily reports from Dozer’s boarder – all is well and there are (apparently) no signs of separation anxiety. Hmph!!
The best salmon I have ever made. I came home from work late last night, and every one was so hungry. I had to somehow made dinner within an hour at 8PM. All the ingredients you need are readily available, as they are common ingredients you can find in your cabinets. I tripled the portion size, and everyone ate by 8:50PM, and they were shocked at how amazing it was, including myself. A great recipe! I will definitely make again…soon… My family is already asking me when I am making it again.
I’m so pleased to hear that Mary Lynn! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
Bula!! I made this for my girlfriend last night, she loved it! Thanks for the clear and precise recipe instructions!
Bula! Your lucky girlfriend!!!
Just made this..had to substitute syrup for honey. Still delicious, thanks!
That’s so terrific Marissa! Thanks for letting me know! N xx ❤️
Hi Nagi,
Can i use lemon instead of vinegar and butter instead of oil? I’m planning to cook this for my toddler.
Thank you
Yes!! It will be fabulous! 🙂
Hello! Can this salmon be baked? Roasted in the ovwn?
Hi Sima! Unfortunately the sauce won’t reduce, sorry to say! 🙁 N x
This came out really good! My 7 year old nephew wasn’t impressed but I sure impressed the heck out of myself by not burning it. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this Kimblery!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. N x ❤️
First time visiting your site and this was a great recipe!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this Holly! Thank you for letting me know – N x ❤️
This is so good & easy. Had it with rice & roasted veggie… Yumm.. this is a keeper👍
I’m so pleased to hear that Adele! Thank you for trying my recipe! N xx ❤️
Just cooked this for the family tonight. It was delicious! Loved how the honey in the sauce reduced. With the garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar, the combination was rich, tasty, and paired well with the salmon. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that Megan! Thanks for sharing your feedback – N x ❤️
Being a fan of Salmon I am always looking for new recipes….well have to say that I made the find of the century with your recipe. Truely amazing!
I’m so pleased you enjoyed this Leonie, thanks for letting me know! N x ❤️
Yum! Yum! Yum! this is the first time i came across your site, and I’m loving it!
Thank you for the review Leah, it’s so terrific to hear you enjoyed this! N xx
I’m making salmon tomorrow would like to use this recipe could you tell me how sweet the salmon comes out please
Hi Gail! There is definitely some sweetness but it’s balanced out with savoury 🙂 N x
Can you oven bake this?
Sorry Tammie, don’t think the sauce will thicken right 🙂 N xx
This was delicious! I reduced the sauce a little after taking the salmon out and drizzled it over the salmon. Also can’t stress enough how important it is to stop the salmon cooking a little earlier than you think.. Mmmm, like butter!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for the great review Laura! N xx
Hello Nagi! I am cooking this for four people and I was wondering what side would go best with the meal? Thank you!
Hi Maryam! I tend to have a simple side like steam asparagus which the sauce also goes great with, but there are so many options! Are you after something quick or something more substantial like a potato bake? 🙂 N xx
Something substantial would be great, sorry I am new to the cooking game! Do you have any recipes on how to make potato bake?
Here’s a EASY one 🙂 https://promotown.info/easy-creamy-cheesy-potato-bake/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Going to try this one tonight! By the comments its a no brainer really.. cant wait!
Hope you love it Jess!!
Was delicious best salmon ive cooked yet!
That’s so wonderful to hear Jess! Thanks for letting me know – N xx
Loved this recipe…quick, easy, ingredients already in my cupboard, tastes gourmet. Big Hit!
WHOOT! Fantastic to hear Debbie! N xx
I loved this recipe – my favorite go to salmon recipe now !
Thank you
Wow!! So delicious and easy. I followed your temp/cooking instructions to the minute as I also like salmon temp the way you do. Sweet and garlicky. I served mine with a side of steamed broccoli sitting the salmon on a bed of mashed potatoes. Not very Asian but I didn’t have white rice. Amazing.
Honestly, I barely think of this as Asian! I would definitely serve it with mash 🙂 So pleased you liked this one Steven!! N xx
I failed. The sauce would not thicken. What have I done wrong😳
Hi Sarah! If you used honey it’s inevitable that the sauce will thicken, just leave it on the stove! 🙂
This recipe was GREAT!! Very easy and the salmon was perfectly cooked!!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this Birdlady! Thanks so much for letting me know – N x
I have been looking for a delicious (no-fail) salmon recipe. Salmon is REALLY expensive in South Africa, so when I want to take the plunge and buy some to cook, I really don’t want the recipe to fail. Would you recommend this recipe? Or do you have another of salmon that you prefer?
Gosh this is a fab one, no fail as it gets! N xx