Sticky sweet and garlicky, this glazed salmon recipe comes together in just 20 minutes, and in one pan. Hands down, the most addicting salmon ever!
This ultra easy salmon recipe is a winner when it comes to weeknight dinners! We love easy main dishes, like my Honey Lime Shrimp, and Blackened Tilapia Bowls. This is one of my Dinner recipes you’ll definitely want in your recipe rotation!

HONEY GARLIC SALMON RECIPE
Have you ever made a recipe that truly surprised you? Normally I’m not a huge salmon lover, but after one bite of this ultra tender salmon, I was absolutely in love. I literally did a little dance in the kitchen because I finally found a way that I can enjoy salmon!
We all know how nutritious salmon is… loaded with omega 3’s, high in protein and tons of vitamins, so I’m glad I can enjoy those benefits. And now, so can you!
You won’t believe how such a simple recipe can pack SO much flavor. Each bite is full of sweet and savory flavors and delicate textures.
HOW TO MAKE GLAZED SALMON
I know some people, myself included, worry about pan-searing a salmon filet, going to flip it over, and…. well now your beautiful filet is mangled and in several pieces.
For that reason, I kept this recipe simple… so simple in fact, that there is NO pan-searing. No flipping required.
- Pat salmon filets dry and season with spices on all sides.
- Heat butter and oil, then add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice.
- When hot, add salmon filets (skin side down if your filets have skin), and cook 3 minutes.
- While salmon cooks, use a spoon to baste the filets.
- Broil for 5-6 minutes, until salmon is sticky sweet, slightly charred, and cooked to desired doneness.

COOKING TIPS FOR SALMON RECIPES
- Buy good salmon – I prefer to buy fresh salmon from the grocery store, instead of frozen filets in bags, since those tend to be very thin. Cooking Light has a great article on how to pick the best salmon at the grocery store.
- Use it quickly – Salmon can go “off” or bad pretty quickly, so I prefer to buy my salmon no more than 1 day ahead of time.
- To skin or not to skin – if you decide to pan-sear your salmon, leave the skin on (and sear skin side first). The skin provides a layer of protection against the hot pan, and it’s a LOT easier to slide a spatula underneath crispy skin than underneath tender flesh. Plus, you’ll get crispy skin! To cook this recipe as written, it really doesn’t matter if your filets have skin or not.
- Don’t overcook – Salmon is prone to overcooking, and the line between not done enough and dry and overdone is pretty fine. The USDA recommends salmon be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 F degrees. However, different people prefer their salmon to be more rare or more well-done, like a steak. To be on the safe-side, I stick to the USDA’s recommendation.
VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE
- Pan-Sear – if you’d prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan. Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate. Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through. Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- Bold Lemon – feel free to add lemon zest to the sauce, or even add a few slices of lemon to the pan while you cook and broil the salmon for a more bold lemon flavor.
- Try Lime – switch the lemon juice for lime juice for a slightly different flavor.
- Green Onions – I love to top these salmon filets with some sliced green onions for a different flavor twist.

MAKING HONEY GARLIC SALMON AHEAD OF TIME
I think this recipe tastes best when made right before eating, but you can whisk together the sauce ahead of time if you’d like.
However, this salmon recipe also tastes amazing cold, on top of a salad. So if that’s your intention, then yes, make it a few hours to a day ahead of time 🙂
STORAGE
Any leftover salmon should be refrigerated in an airtight container and consumed within 3 days.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- 12″ wide skillet – I love this pan, and love that it’s oven and broiler safe (a must for one pan recipes).
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
SALMON
- 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)
SAUCE
- 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
Instructions
- Pat salmon dry, then season with salt, pepper, paprika and blackening seasoning (if using). Set aside.
- IMPORTANT: Adjust oven rack to middle position, then preheat broiler. If you broil this with the rack up high the sauce will burn.
- Add butter and oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over MED-HIGH heat. Once butter is melted, add garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice and cook 30 seconds or so, until sauce is heated through.
- Add salmon, skin side down (if using salmon with skin), and cook 3 minutes. While salmon cooks, baste frequently with sauce from the pan by spooning it over the top of the salmon.
- Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes, basting with sauce once during the broil, until salmon is caramelized and cooked to desired doneness.
- Garnish with minced parsley if desired.
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Chef Tips
- If you'd prefer, season salmon as directed, then pan sear in the pan. Flip over and sear on the other side, then remove to a plate. Add sauce ingredients to pan and cook until warmed through. Add salmon back to pan and spoon sauce over the salmon.
- A couple of readers have reported having a watery sauce, which I've never personally encountered during all the testing for this recipe. If you feel the sauce is a bit watery, you could reduce the amount of water used, or simmer the sauce a bit before adding the salmon.
Video
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.








Mandy says
Lovely and tasty with a bit of a kick! I reduced the sauce down a bit after removing the salmon as I had a lot of liquid but I also have some left over for pouring on something else.
Matt says
I agree that the sauce was way too watery. The soy sauce is plenty to loosen it up. Hold the water if you try this. Ended up with salmon soup.
Matt says
I need to add that the flavor was outstanding and the dish was still a hit. Thank you!
Sharon Poole says
I left out water. The taste was awesome.
Joanne says
Nice flavors. Not too sweet. Very much like the salmon dish at a restaurant near us, which I enjoy. Now I can make it at home! Pretty easy to make. Thank you!
Jake Bohn says
Hello, silly question but do you boil on low or high?
The Chunky Chef says
I broil on high, but with the rack in the center of the oven, not up at the top.
Angela Dubra says
Very delicious! My family thoroughly enjoyed the flavors.
I used wild caught Alaskan salmon. Cooking on stove and then to broiler was the best cooking method. The fish was very tender, and flaky. I served with Jasmine rice, and stir-fry style veggies that I steamed then roasted with with the honey glaze sauce
LL says
Crowd pleaser! I reduced the water and butter and added some sesame oil. Restaurant quality flavor and cook on the fish! Zero leftovers, will definitely make again.
Steve says
how can you go wrong with the recipe that’s been rated 1700 times and still has a five so I give it a shot
wow! my family loved it, I loved it.
I followed the cooking times exactly and the fillets that I had had no skin and that wasn’t a problem either.
I was expecting a disaster cleaning up the pan after being in the broiler but even that was easy
thanks so much!
Dawn says
Excellent recipe! Holy smokes this is so tasty, yummy, deliciousness. My only change I will do next time is exchange some Olive Oil with a little sesame oil and not as much water for a thicker sauce (personal preference). Great recipe and wonderful site full of many recipes!!
Breanne says
I think its about time I leave a review on this dish. Wow! Ever since discovering it, my entire family pretty much demands that if we’re having salmon, it has to be the honey salmon as they call it. I realized as I was scrolling through your website that there are some other very enticing options so I have decided Im going to surprise my family with one of your other salmon recipes. I love this one so much that I really owe it to our taste buds to try more of your recipes. I ve been cooking this one for about 2.5 years or so about 4 times a month. Its time to explore! Thank you for sharing your craft!
OGPP says
Fabulous!
Julia says
I have made this many times as it’s a family favorite.
Just a note about the honey…. If your honey is easy to pour, add less water. If your honey is thick add the recommended amount.
CJ says
I made this twice! The first try was good enough for the family to request it again the next day. I did restive the honey because I am a diabetic so I imagine this is what made my sauce thinner. I added a teaspoon of sesame oil. On day two I used a smaller skillet to make it easier to spoon the sauce. I also did a slight reduction on the stovetop before moving to the oven and adding the salmon. Oh I added a teaspoon or so of maple syrup. I doubled the amount of rub for the fish because it wasn’t enough on day one. The Himalayan sea salt was easier to get to do I used instead of kosher salt. I am almost afraid to cook again because the bar is too high now and I want to keep my husband expressing hos love language through food and who does 98% of the cooking for our family.
Keisha says
Excellent recipe! It looks and tastes great.
Darlin says
Delicious recipe. thank you for sharing it.
Patti says
excellent receipe.
Sarah says
I have been making this almost bi-weekly for almost a year. I follow it exactly! Absolute delish
Donna McCann says
Very delicious!! Will definitely make it again
Jessica M says
Fantastic recipe! My first run was a little runny for the sauce but I think it was maybe due to not patting my salmon dry enough?
We’ll try a couple different things next time as the flavor is spot on! Highly recommend 👌
susan K says
This is 3rd time I’m making!Excellent recipe. Thank you, Susan K
Mom of 3 boys says
I made this today for work lunch meal prep. So easy and absolutely delicious! I’ll definitely be making this again!! The only change I made was adding one tablespoon of water instead of three tablespoons as prescribed in the recipe. Make this salmon. You won’t be disappointed!
Suz says
Not that this needs another 5 star review – but here it is! This is the only salmon I make and my non salmon liking husband and kid both enjoy it to. I absolutely love it. Thank you for this gem!
KD says
I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now, but for some reason I’ve never made it for company. Well, I made it for my brother and sister-in-law and they loved it. I served it over Israeli couscous and bok choy. Neither of them had ever had Israeli couscous or bok choy and left determined to make your salmon recipe at home. Thanks again for such a delicious meal.