Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Salmon is an incredibly nutritious fish that’s high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals. But what I love most about it is how versatile it is in the kitchen. You can bake, grill, or pan-fry salmon and still end up with an amazing dish!

And even when you’re short on time, like me on most weeknights, you can still enjoy a delicious and healthy meal with this honey garlic glazed salmon recipe.

Prefer a more hands-off approach? Get your hands on my baked salmon recipes: Spicy Honey Baked Salmon and Garlic Lemon Butter Salmon!

Why This Recipe Works

Salmon is one of my favorite proteins to cook because it’s healthy, delicious, and easier to handle than other types of fish. And this quick honey garlic salmon recipe is one of my all-time favorites!

The delicious honey and garlic sauce with a touch of lemon makes the salmon extremely juicy, moist, and tasty. The sweet, tangy, and sticky glaze made with honey, garlic, and lemon juice not only complements the natural buttery taste of salmon but also gives it a glossy finish.

And unlike other recipes, you won’t need to marinate the fish for hours to get amazing flavors! Aside from soy glazed salmon, this dish is definitely one of the easiest salmon recipes you can make at home!

A third of the world’s wild salmon supply comes from the United States.

When buying salmon, you either get wild-caught or farmed. Wild-caught salmon are those that are caught in their natural habitats, while farmed are raised in controlled environments.

I personally prefer using wild-caught as they are more flavorful and nutritious. They also tend to have less fat compared to farmed ones. So if you come across wild salmon in your local market, grab it right away!

However, farmed salmon is still a great choice as long as it’s responsibly sourced. It’s easier to find and usually cheaper than wild.

If buying farm-raised, choose those imported from Norway and avoid the ones from China at all costs. Chinese farms are known to use potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals to raise the fish.

Follow these easy tips to get the best salmon for your dishes:

• For the freshest fish, shop on the day when grocery stores restock their fish section.
• Wild salmon are more vibrant than farmed salmon, which is typically paler.
• Avoid those with a bright red or orange color as it indicates the use of artificial dyes.

Learn more about the difference between wild-caught vs farmed salmon on Bon Appetit.

Ingredients

• salmon – refer to my buying guide above. I always prefer fresh salmon, but if using frozen, thaw it completely before cooking.
• honey – you can use any type of honey, but I find that pure honey has a more natural flavor.
• garlic – always use fresh garlic for the best flavor!
• apple cider vinegar or lemon juice – adds a bright acidity to balance out the sweetness of the honey.
• cayenne pepper – for a little bit of heat. You can use chili powder or flakes instead if you like.

How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon

This honey garlic salmon skillet recipe checks all the boxes for a perfect weeknight dinner. It’s fantastic for those days when you want something satisfying, but just don’t have the time or energy to stand in the kitchen for hours.

One of the main considerations when cooking salmon is whether to keep the skin intact or remove it. Salmon skin is edible, but personally, I don’t eat it unless it’s deep-fried and crispy.

But to keep things simple, you don’t need to remove the skin at all. Cooking with the skin on is actually better because it helps retain moisture and prevent overcooking. And it will be way easier to turn the salmon over without the flesh falling apart.

So cook the salmon as is, with skin on, then discard the skin if you don’t want to eat it. Just make sure to clean the fish and remove the scales to get any unpleasant fishy taste out of your dish.

Step 1: Season the surface of the salmon with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Mix the honey, water, apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, and a pinch of salt together. Stir to combine well.

Step 3: Heat up an oven-safe skillet (cast-iron skillet preferred) on high heat. Add olive oil and pan-fry the salmon, skin side down, for about 1 minute. Turn the salmon over and cook for another minute. Turn it over again so the skin side is at the bottom.

Pro tip: Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the salmon to get that perfect sear!

Step 4: Add the garlic to the pan and sauté until slightly browned. Add the honey mixture and lemon wedges to the skillet and reduce the sauce until it’s sticky.

Step 5: Finish it off by broiling the salmon in the oven for 1 minute or until the surface becomes slightly charred (optional step).

Pro tip: Broiling the salmon on high heat gives it a nice char while keeping the inside moist and tender.

Salmon is pretty easy to overcook. So when it’s close to the FDA’s recommended minimum internal temperature of 145°F or 63°C, remove the pan from heat. Let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving as it will continue to cook a bit more on its own.

I also highly recommend broiling the salmon if you have the time, but it’s still absolutely delicious without this step. Either way, you’ll end up with a mouthwatering honey garlic glaze that coats the salmon perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Calories per Serving?

This honey garlic salmon recipe is only 327 calories per serving.

What to Serve with Honey Garlic Lemon Salmon

Salmon is best served with healthy side dishes, such as a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or grains like quinoa or brown rice. For an easy yet healthy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please share your photo in the Comments section and consider giving it a 5-star rating. I can’t wait to see your creations! Additionally, feel free to explore my other recipes, such as Salmon Patties, Grilled Salmon, and Roasted Salmon next. Happy cooking!