Honey Glazed Salmon

Salmon lovers, rejoice! This honey glazed salmon is a foolproof method of cooking salmon. Tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. If you’re bored of the same old salmon recipes, give this one a try! It’s quick and easy to prepare. You’ll use ingredients that I’m sure you already have in your pantry and while the salmon cooks on the stovetop, you can slide a sheet pan of potatoes and veggies into the oven to roast. Bingo! Dinner is done.

This whole meal is ready-to-go in just over 30 minutes and it’s seriously one of the easiest, most flavorful seafood recipes. And the honey chipotle glaze is to die for!

Salmon is so healthy and can be so flavorful. If you happen to be intimidated by cooking salmon or seafood, in general, begin with this simple recipe. You’ll find that cooking seafood is really quite easy!

The whole family loved this meal! I paired the salmon with sweet potato and roasted broccoli and it was amazing!

— Eden

Ingredients needed

This salmon marinade is a flavor powerhouse and you don’t have to let the salmon soak in it for very long at all! In fact, I usually just marinate it while I’m heating my skillet and that gives this salmon all the flavor it needs. As for the asparagus and potatoes, that part of the meal is completely optional, but this whole recipe is such an easy way get a balanced meal on the table with very little effort. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Asparagus. Not a fan of asparagus? Roast broccoli or green beans instead!
• Potatoes. I used russet potatoes, here, but you could swap those with red potatoes, sweet potatoes or Yukon golds. You could even use a completely different veggie!
• Marinade. This marinade is an easy mix of garlic, honey, chipotle chili powder (or regular chili powder) and melted butter. It’s so flavorful and simple to make. It’s the perfect sweet and savory combination and goes great with the pan-seared salmon.
• Salmon. For serving 2 people, you’ll need 2 (5 to 6-ounce) salmon fillets. This recipe is really easy to double, though, if serving an entire family.
• Salt + pepper. To bring all of the flavors together! You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes once everything’s done cooking.

Best salmon to buy

For the most health benefits and the tastiest Honey Glazed Salmon, I recommend spending a little extra on high-quality wild salmon. You can definitely taste the difference!

What is the best salmon to buy?

For the highest quality salmon, you want to purchase wild-caught salmon, which is usually king, coho or sockeye salmon. Here’s a short note on each:

• King salmon, also known as Chinook, is considered to be the finest of the wild Pacific salmon. It has a high content of healthy omega-3 oils and because of the higher fat content, it tastes the richest and is considered the most delicious of all your salmon choices.
• Coho salmon, also known as silver salmon, has a lighter taste, which may appeal to some. It pairs well with sauces and it’s more versatile in cooking, making it possible to serve in a wider variety of ways. The flavor of coho salmon is similar to king salmon, but it’s more of an everyday kind of salmon. It’s a great, less expensive option than king salmon.
• Sockeye salmon, also known as red salmon, has the strongest flavor of the bunch, but is not overly fishy. It is rich and flavorful, and many prefer it over king salmon. It is leaner than both king and coho salmon, so you’ll want to be careful not to overcook it.

What salmon should I avoid?

Always buy wild-caught salmon (preferably Alaskan) and avoid farm-raised Atlantic salmon. Farm-raised Atlantic salmon are particularly fatty and often fed an artificial diet, which means they are far less nutritious, waterier and don’t yield the best results when cooked.

Where to purchase salmon?

High-quality salmon filets can be found at the seafood counter of most grocery stores. This is a great option because you know it’s fresh and you’ll be able to select fillets of similar size.

Can I use frozen salmon?

If you happen to only have frozen wild salmon available – that works! Just make sure to thaw it before cooking. I often buy frozen Alaskan salmon from Costco – it’s priced well and is super tasty.

How to make this recipe

The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through it, so you understand each step before you get started.

For this simple and easy salmon recipe, you can choose to sear, bake or grill the salmon. I’ve listed instructions for all three methods in the recipe card. For the sake of simplicity, we’re just going to discuss seared salmon, here.

1. Marinate the salmon. Mix all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Brush the marinade over the salmon and set aside for about 15 minutes. No worries if you’re short on time, the salmon will still be plenty flavorful.
2. Heat pan. Over medium-high heat, melt butter in a medium to large skillet.
3. Cook the fish. When the pan is hot, add the salmon, flesh side down, cover pan and cook for about 3 minutes. Flip salmon and cook, uncovered, for about 5 minutes more. Garnish with Parmesan, green onions and red pepper flakes, if desired.

Expert tips

Here are a few tips and easy swaps to make sure your salmon turns out great!

• This recipe is written for 1 pound of salmon and for 2 servings. It can easily be halved, doubled or even tripled, depending on your need.
• Don’t have fresh garlic? Substitute 1/4 teaspoon of powdered garlic or 1/2 teaspoon of refrigerated minced garlic.
• Feel free to substitute 1 tablespoon brown sugar for the honey.
• If your salmon has skin, you can easily remove the skin using a fork once the salmon is cooked.

Frequently asked questions

Don’t have an instant read thermometer? Not sure if your salmon is done? The salmon will flake a bit when you insert a knife or fork into the thickest part. The salmon will still look a little translucent in the center, but it should not look red or raw.

Serving options

We love this honey glazed salmon paired with the oven-baked veggie and potato combo for an easy, tasty dinner! However, there are endless options when it comes to choosing sides for this salmon dish. Any favorite vegetables would work, such as green beans, brussels spouts, carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower or a medley of roasted veggies. Rice is another great side item and if you’re watching your carbs, serve the salmon over cauliflower rice or a fresh green salad.

You can easily make a quick side salad while the salmon is cooking! Simply toss mixed greens with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper (or dressing of choice). Then, you can add toppings to your salad; like red onion, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and/or croutons. Or try one of my go-to salad recipes: Italian Salad, Cucumber Tomato Salad, Wedge Salad.

Storage & reheating tips

• Storing leftovers. While salmon is best served immediately, if you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• How to reheat. Reheat in a 300ºF preheated oven or air fryer for 5-10 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave in 20-second increments until heated all the way through. It’s also good cold on a salad.