There's just something about that sweet and savory combination that really sings on your taste buds. This Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe is a quick, delicious way to bring real flavor to the dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, that sticky glaze gives the salmon a beautiful caramelized finish that’s seriously irresistible.

A close-up view shows three thick salmon fillets in a pan, each covered with a shiny, dark red glaze sprinkled with small black pepper bits and green herb pieces. The salmon is light pink inside, visible where a fork is pulling a small chunk away from the middle fillet, showing its soft, flaky texture. The glaze pools around the fish, giving a glossy, rich look. The pan is dark gray against a white marbled surface. 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

Honestly, this recipe has become one of my go-to weeknight meals because it’s so effortless yet packed with flavor. I love how the honey and garlic balance the richness of the salmon perfectly—the kind of dish that feels fancy but comes together super fast.

Quick and Easy: From prep to plate in under 20 minutes, making it perfect when time is tight.
Bold Flavor: The combination of honey, garlic, soy sauce, and sriracha gives a flavorful glaze that’s sweet, tangy, and just a little spicy.
Perfectly Caramelized: Broiling at the right rack level lets the glaze get that gorgeous sticky finish without burning.
Versatile: Great for weeknights but also impressive enough for guests or a special dinner.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe plays a key role in developing depth and balance. When shopping, look for fresh salmon with firm flesh and the best honey you can find for a natural sweetness that really shines through.

Flat lay of fresh pink salmon filets with smooth skin, a small mound of coarse kosher salt crystals, a small heap of black peppercorns, a pile of vibrant red paprika powder, a few dark garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl with pale yellow olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding rich golden butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic bowl with dark brown soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red sriracha sauce, and a small white ceramic bowl with freshly squeezed lemon juice, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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: Always go for skin-on if you can—it helps crisp up the fish and keeps it juicy.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Basic, but essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors.
Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth that's better than regular paprika in this glaze.
Blackening seasoning: Optional, but I love it for a little extra kick and complexity.
Butter & olive oil: The perfect combo to sauté garlic and start the sauce—you get richness without heaviness.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a punch of aromatics that infuse the whole glaze.
Honey: The star of our glaze; it thickens and caramelizes beautifully under the broiler.
Water: Helps loosen the sauce so it’s easy to spoon over the salmon as it cooks.
Soy sauce: Brings umami and saltiness that balance the sweet honey perfectly.
Sriracha sauce: Just the right amount of heat to keep things interesting without overpowering.
Lemon juice: Brightens the flavors, adding that fresh, tangy lift.

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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 tweaking this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe depending on what mood I’m in or what’s in the pantry. Feel free to experiment with the heat level or swap out ingredients if you need to make it your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap sriracha for a milder chili paste when serving kids or guests who don’t like spicy food—it’s just as delicious without the heat.
Gluten-free tweak: Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version that tastes just as amazing.
Fresh herbs: Toss in some chopped cilantro or basil instead of parsley for a herby twist that changes the flavor profile beautifully.
Sweetener swap: If you don’t have honey, maple syrup works in a pinch and brings its own lovely flavor.

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

Two large pieces of golden-brown cooked fish lay in a white pan with a shiny, dark brown sauce covering them. The fish has a slightly crisp texture on the outside, with small green herb pieces sprinkled over the top. A woman's hand holds a silver spoon above one piece of fish, dripping thick sauce onto it. The background shows the inside of the pan with some sauce pooling around the fish, all against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Prep Your Salmon

First things first, pat your salmon dry with paper towels—that’s key for a nice sear and helps the glaze stick better. Then, sprinkle the fillets evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and blackening seasoning if you’re using it. Set those aside while you prep your sauce—the salmon is happy to hang out for a few minutes and soak up those flavors.

Step 2: Start Your Glaze on the Stove

Heat butter and olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter’s melted and foamy, toss in the minced garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice. Let it cook for about 30 seconds—just until the sauce warms up and starts to blend. This step wakes up the garlic and thickens the glaze just a bit.

Step 3: Sear the Salmon, Basting as You Go

Place your salmon into the skillet, skin side down if it has skin. Let it cook for about 3 minutes, and here’s a little secret—spoon up that flavorful glaze from the pan and baste the tops of the fillets multiple times while they cook. This keeps the salmon super moist and helps lock in the flavors before it hits the broiler.

Step 4: Broil to Glazed Perfection

This step is critical: adjust your oven rack to the middle position before you turn on the broiler. You want your salmon close enough to caramelize but not so close that the glaze burns. Broil for about 5 to 6 minutes, basting the salmon once halfway through. The end result? Gorgeous caramelization on top with a tender, juicy interior.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, a sprinkle of fresh minced parsley adds a pop of color and a bit of brightness. Then dig in while it’s hot—you’re in for a treat!

Top Tip

Through lots of trial and error, I’ve learned a few things that make this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe really shine. These small details turned this from a “nice idea” into a “must-make” in my kitchen.

Don’t skip patting your salmon dry: Moisture on the fish causes steaming instead of searing, so drying helps you get that gorgeous caramelization.
Adjust broiler rack position: Placing salmon too close to the broiler makes the glaze burn fast, so always set the rack to the middle.
Baste often: Spoon that glaze over the salmon while it cooks to keep the fish moist and pack a flavor punch with every bite.
Use a good-quality honey: It makes a difference in the depth of sweetness and how well the glaze caramelizes under heat.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe

Honey Garlic Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with fresh minced parsley because it adds a lovely green contrast and subtle herbaceous notes. Sometimes I add lemon wedges on the side for an extra zing, especially if your lemon juice was light on flavor.

Side Dishes

My favorite combo? Steamed jasmine rice or quinoa to soak up the glaze, with roasted asparagus or garlic green beans for some crunch. Mashed sweet potatoes also pair beautifully for a cozy, comforting plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like plating the salmon on a bed of sautéed spinach dotted with toasted almonds—adds a nice texture contrast. Or try serving it over a fresh salad with avocado slices for a lighter, vibrant presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover glazed salmon keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I usually remove the salmon from the sauce to avoid it getting soggy overnight—then add fresh glaze when reheating.

Freezing

Freezing cooked glazed salmon isn’t my go-to but if needed, wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month. Defrost gently in the fridge overnight and be prepared for a slightly softer texture once reheated.

Reheating

I like reheating leftovers gently in a low oven (about 275°F) to keep the salmon moist and avoid drying it out. Reheat the sauce separately and spoon it over the fish just before serving for that fresh glaze punch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

You absolutely can! Just make sure to thaw the salmon fully and pat it dry before seasoning to ensure the glaze adheres well and the salmon cooks evenly.

How spicy is the sriracha in this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe?

The sriracha adds a mild to moderate heat that complements the sweetness of the honey without overpowering the dish. You can adjust the amount or omit it if you prefer less spice.

Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Yes! The glaze can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove before adding to the skillet with the salmon for cooking. This can save time on busy nights.

What can I use instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version?

Tamari is an excellent gluten-free alternative to soy sauce that works perfectly in this recipe, keeping the umami flavor intact.

Final Thoughts

I’m genuinely excited every time I make this Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon Recipe because it strikes that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy that makes dinner feel like a celebration—even on a regular weeknight. It’s become a dish I confidently recommend to friends and family because it’s reliably delicious yet simple enough to whip up anytime. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen, too!