Description
Nothing quite compares to the moment when sticky, golden honey garlic glazed salmon hits your dinner table. The beautiful caramelized exterior glistening under kitchen lights, the sweet aroma of honey mingling with savory garlic and soy sauce,
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
For the Honey Garlic Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey (preferably raw or local honey)
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
Smart Substitutions:
Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for different flavor profiles. Coconut aminos work wonderfully instead of soy sauce for gluten-free needs. Fresh garlic can be swapped with 2 teaspoons garlic powder if needed, though fresh delivers superior flavor. Ground ginger works in place of fresh – use 1 teaspoon instead of the tablespoon.
Instructions
Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. The mixture should smell fragrant and balanced – sweet honey playing against the salty soy sauce with aromatic garlic and ginger providing depth. Place this over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent the garlic from sticking to the bottom.
Let the glaze simmer for 3-4 minutes until it begins to reduce slightly. Whisk the cornstarch slurry once more to ensure it’s smooth, then slowly drizzle it into the simmering glaze while whisking constantly. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the glaze coats the back of a spoon and has a beautiful glossy appearance. Remove from heat and set aside – it will continue thickening as it cools.
Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels – this step is crucial for achieving a beautiful sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper, allowing the seasoning to sit for a minute while you heat your pan. The drier the fish surface, the better your caramelization will be.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. Gently place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side up if using skin-on fillets. Listen for that satisfying sizzle – it means you’re creating a beautiful golden crust. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving the fish, resisting the urge to flip too early.
Carefully flip the salmon fillets when they release easily from the pan and have developed a golden-brown crust. Immediately brush or spoon half of the honey garlic glaze over the seared side. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, then flip once more and glaze the other side. The glaze should bubble and caramelize, creating an irresistible sticky coating.
Add any remaining glaze to the pan, allowing it to bubble around the salmon for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and let the salmon rest for 2-3 minutes – this allows the fish to finish cooking gently and the glaze to set into that perfect sticky consistency.
Nutrition
- Calories: 380-420
- Sodium: 600-700mg
- Fat: 18-22g
- Carbohydrates: 18-22g
- Protein: 35-40g