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 about that glossy, sticky sweet finish that makes this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe feel like a little celebration on a weekday. The blend of honey, garlic, and a hint of spice turns simple salmon into an irresistible dish you’ll find yourself craving again and again.

The image shows three thick pieces of cooked salmon with a shiny, dark red-brown sauce covering them. The salmon has a bright orange color with a slight crust and small black pepper and herb specks on top. One piece has a small section broken off by a silver fork, revealing the soft pale pink inside of the fish. There are bits of green herbs sprinkled lightly over the fish and sauce. All the salmon pieces sit in a pan filled with the dark sauce, which reflects light and looks thick and sticky. 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 whip up this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe, it always feels like I’m serving up something special without the fuss. It’s perfect for dinner parties or a comforting solo meal, and honestly, it’s just delicious every single time.

Super Quick: You can have this ready in under 20 minutes—ideal for busy evenings.
Bold Flavor: The honey and garlic combo hits that perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Easy to Customize: A little sriracha kick gives it just enough heat, but you can dial it up or down.
Impressive Presentation: The caramelized glaze makes your salmon look like a restaurant dish with almost no effort.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in crafting that perfectly balanced glaze: sweet, tangy, garlicky, and with a subtle smoky touch from the paprika. Here’s what you’ll want and why it’s key for success.

Flat lay of fresh, pink salmon filets with skin on, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small pile of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small mound of black peppercorns, a small heap of vibrant red smoked paprika powder, a pat of creamy butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, six peeled whole garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of amber honey, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red sriracha sauce, a small white ceramic bowl filled with freshly squeezed lemon juice, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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: Fresh or thawed, firm salmon with skin-on works beautifully to hold the glaze.
Kosher salt: Enhances the natural flavor without overpowering the fish.
Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the seasoning.
Smoked paprika: Brings a smoky warmth that pairs perfectly with honey and garlic.
Blackening seasoning (optional): A little extra spice kick if you’re feeling bold.
Butter: Helps the glaze brown and adds richness to the sauce.
Olive oil: Keeps the butter from burning, plus a bit of fruity flavor.
Garlic (minced): The star of the show — fragrant and essential for that garlicky punch.
Honey: Sweetens and thickens the glaze, creating that irresistible sticky coating.
Water: Helps loosen the sauce so it doesn’t get too thick too fast.
Soy sauce: Adds umami and saltiness balancing the sweet honey.
Sriracha sauce: Gives just the right hint of spicy heat without overwhelming the flavors.
Lemon juice: Brightens up the glaze with fresh acidity.

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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 experimenting with this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe. Sometimes I swap the sriracha for sweet chili sauce for a milder glaze, or add fresh herbs like dill or cilantro on top after cooking for a pop of freshness. You can easily tweak it to match your mood.

Variation: When I’m in a hurry, I skip broiling and just pan-cook the salmon fully—still delicious and saves time.
Less Heat: Leave out the sriracha completely for a kid-friendly version.
Herb Boost: Fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on just before serving adds bright flavor contrast.
Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce if you want to keep it gluten-free.

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

A close-up photo of two salmon fillets cooking in a silver pan with a reddish-brown shiny sauce covering the fish. The sauce has a glossy texture and is dripping from a spoon held by a woman's hand above the nearest fillet. The salmon fillets show a golden-brown, slightly crispy surface with small green herb bits sprinkled on top. The pan has a smooth, metallic finish with some browned spots. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Seasoning the Salmon Just Right

First, pat your salmon dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and gives you a nice sear later. Sprinkle salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and optional blackening seasoning evenly on both sides. I find this combo layers the perfect mix of smoky, savory, and mildly spicy flavors.

Step 2: Make the Glaze in an Oven-Safe Skillet

On medium-high heat, melt butter with olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet. When the butter is fully melted and bubbling, add minced garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice. Cook for about 30 seconds until the glaze warms up and all those flavors start to mingle. The scent at this stage is pure magic — it instantly makes your kitchen feel cozy.

Step 3: Sear the Salmon and Baste

Place the salmon into the skillet skin-side down if it has skin. Cook for 3 minutes, spooning the glaze over the top frequently to coat every inch. This basting builds layers of flavor and keeps the salmon moist. Remember, patience here pays off — don’t flip too soon or you risk sticking.

Step 4: Broil for that Perfect Caramelized Finish

Move your oven rack to the middle position and preheat the broiler. This is important—too close to the heat and the honey can burn. Broil the salmon 5-6 minutes, basting once during cooking. You’re looking for a caramelized, sticky glaze and salmon that flakes easily with a fork. Watch closely so it doesn’t overcook!

Top Tip

Making this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe for the first time, I quickly learned that timing and heat level are key to perfect glaze texture. Here are my go-to tips that’ll keep you from burning the sauce or ending up with dry fish.

Middle Rack Broiling: Never broil the salmon too close to the flame or the honey caramelizes too fast and burns.
Pat the Salmon Dry: This simple step helps the glaze stick and creates a better sear without steaming the fish.
Frequent Basting: Spoon the sauce over the fillets while cooking—it keeps everything moist and maxes out flavor.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: So you can go straight from stove to broiler without losing any sauce or heat.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

honey garlic salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle minced fresh parsley on top before serving—it adds a burst of color and a subtle, fresh flavor contrast to the sticky glaze. Sometimes a little lemon zest also brightens the dish beautifully.

Side Dishes

This salmon loves pairing with simple rice or quinoa to soak up all the glaze. Roasted asparagus or garlic green beans make a crunchy, vibrant side, and I've also enjoyed it with creamy mashed potatoes or even a crisp salad for a lighter option.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner guests, I like plating the glazed salmon on a bed of lemon herb couscous and drizzling extra glaze artfully around the edge. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens can make it feel truly special without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I tightly wrap leftover salmon in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It stays good for about 2 days, which is perfect for a quick next-day lunch or dinner.

Freezing

Freezing glazed salmon is doable but I’ve found the texture isn’t quite as good after thawing. If you freeze, do so in a flat airtight bag and thaw overnight in the fridge for best results. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking.

Reheating

To reheat, I like popping the salmon in a low oven (about 275°F) for 10 minutes, loosely tented with foil. This preserves moisture and keeps that glaze glaze nice without drying the fish or burning the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, you can use thawed frozen salmon fillets. Just be sure to thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels before seasoning to prevent excess moisture.

How spicy is the honey garlic glaze?

The glaze has a gentle kick thanks to the sriracha, but it’s generally mild. You can adjust the amount of sriracha or omit it completely to suit your spice preference.

What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No worries! You can cook the salmon in a regular pan on the stove, then transfer it to a baking sheet lined with foil to broil and finish with the glaze. Just be sure to baste during broiling.

How do I know when the salmon is done?

The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and has an opaque center. Broil time may vary slightly based on thickness, so watching closely is key to avoid drying out the fish.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together in a snap. It’s been my go-to when I want to impress without stress or spend too long in the kitchen. I’m excited for you to try it—you’ll love how the sticky, flavorful glaze elevates salmon into something truly special.