Description

This Honey Garlic Salmon recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors glazed over tender, baked salmon fillets. The rich butter, brown sugar, honey, and soy sauce-based glaze infused with garlic, ginger, and a hint of lemon juice caramelizes beautifully under the broiler for a delectable finish. Ready in under 45 minutes, it’s an easy and elegant dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Glaze Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup light brown sugar
3 tbsp honey
¼ cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ inch fresh ginger, grated
1 whole lemon, juiced
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Main Ingredients

2 pounds salmon fillets
Salt, to taste
Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together butter, brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced and thickened. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Salmon: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the salmon fillets on it. Sprinkle the salmon lightly with salt to taste.
Create Foil Packet: Fold the sides of the aluminum foil up and around the salmon to form a loose packet, which will help retain moisture during baking.
Glaze the Salmon: Brush half of the prepared honey garlic glaze evenly over the salmon fillets inside the foil packet.
Bake the Salmon: Place the foil packet on the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Broil for Caramelization: Set the oven to broil. Carefully open the foil packet and place the salmon under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to allow the glaze to brown and caramelize without burning.
Final Glaze and Garnish: Remove the salmon from the oven. Brush the remaining glaze over the top of the fillets and sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

Ensure to monitor salmon closely during broiling to prevent burning due to the sugar content in the glaze.
For an extra citrusy kick, you can add lemon zest to the glaze mixture.
Use fresh garlic and ginger for the most vibrant flavor.
Salmon can be substituted with other firm fish fillets like cod or halibut.
Serve with steamed rice or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, baked salmon, salmon glaze, sweet and savory salmon, easy salmon recipe