Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

If you’re craving a flavorful yet healthy seafood dish, look no further than this Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon. With only a few ingredients and minimal prep, this salmon recipe delivers big on taste. The combination of honey, garlic, and soy sauce creates a rich, caramelized glaze that beautifully coats the salmon, while the sesame oil and fresh ginger add a depth of flavor that makes this dish truly exceptional.

Whether you’re cooking a weeknight dinner or impressing guests with a quick yet sophisticated meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. The salmon comes out perfectly tender, with a sweet, savory glaze that enhances its natural richness.

A Simple Recipe with Bold Flavors

The beauty of this Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon lies in its simplicity. The marinade is quick to prepare and infuses the salmon with delicious layers of flavor. As the salmon bakes, the glaze thickens and caramelizes, creating a perfectly balanced sweet and savory finish. With only a few minutes of prep and less than 20 minutes in the oven, this recipe proves that you don’t need complicated steps to make an unforgettable meal.

Versatile and Flexible

Whether you have fresh or frozen salmon on hand, this recipe can be adjusted to suit your needs. The marinade is quick to prepare and requires just a short marinating time, but if you have more time, letting the salmon sit in the marinade for up to 4 hours will only deepen the flavors. Plus, while the salmon bakes, you can quickly steam some vegetables and cook rice to round out the meal, making this an easy yet impressive dinner option.

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon

Each ingredient in this Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon recipe plays an important role in creating the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. Here’s what you’ll need and why these ingredients matter:

Salmon:

• Salmon Fillets – Use fresh, high-quality salmon for the best results. You’ll need about 24 ounces (680g) total, with fillets of even thickness to ensure they cook uniformly. Fresh salmon gives a rich flavor, but you can also use thawed frozen salmon if needed.

Marinade Ingredients:

• Honey – Honey provides sweetness and helps create a sticky, caramelized glaze as it bakes. It perfectly complements the savory elements of the dish.
• Soy Sauce – Soy sauce adds a deep, salty umami flavor. Opt for a low-sodium variety to avoid overpowering the dish, or use tamari sauce if you need a gluten-free option.
• Sesame Oil – This oil brings a rich, nutty flavor and helps the marinade stick to the salmon better. If you don’t have sesame oil, olive oil can be used as a substitute.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic or jarred minced garlic gives the marinade a punch of savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet honey.
• Fresh Ginger – Ginger adds a warm, slightly sweet and spicy kick to the marinade, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients.

Optional Garnishes:

• Green Onion – Adds a fresh, sharp bite that complements the sweet and savory glaze.
• Sesame Seeds – These add a bit of crunch and a toasted flavor that pairs beautifully with the sesame oil and soy sauce.

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes! If you have frozen salmon, you can absolutely use it for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it completely before marinating and cooking. Frozen salmon works just as well as fresh and still soaks up all the wonderful flavors of the honey, soy, and garlic marinade.

How to Make Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon

Follow these steps to create a perfectly glazed, caramelized salmon fillet:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and fresh ginger until fully combined.
2. Marinate the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a glass container or zip-top bag, then pour half of the marinade over the fillets. Reserve the other half for later. Let the salmon marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to 4 hours. If you have extra time, marinate for 8 hours to allow the flavors to deepen.
3. Prepare to Bake: When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
4. Bake the Salmon: Arrange the marinated salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Reserve the used marinade if you’d like to reduce it for a glaze. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets, until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is caramelized.
5. Make the Glaze: While the salmon is baking, take the reserved marinade and reduce it on the stovetop over medium heat until it thickens into a rich, sticky glaze.
6. Finish and Serve: Once the salmon is out of the oven, drizzle the reduced glaze over the fillets for extra flavor. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and freshness.

This quick marinade and glaze process transforms simple salmon fillets into a flavorful, satisfying meal!

How Long to Bake Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon

The key to perfectly cooked Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon is balancing cooking time with the thickness of your fillets. Here’s a guide to help you bake the salmon to tender, juicy perfection:

• Standard Fillets: For salmon fillets that are about 1 inch thick, bake at 400ºF (204ºC) for 12-15 minutes. This allows the salmon to cook through without drying out, and the glaze will caramelize beautifully on top.
• Thicker Fillets: If your fillets are thicker (1½ inches or more), increase the baking time to 15-18 minutes. You’ll know the salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork, and the internal temperature reaches 145ºF in the thickest part of the fish.
• Thinner Fillets: For thinner fillets, check the salmon at 10-12 minutes to ensure you don’t overcook it. The edges should be slightly crisp, and the fish should still be moist in the center.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Salmon

• Watch for doneness: The salmon should be opaque and easily flake with a fork when it’s ready. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 145ºF.
• Don’t overcook: Overcooking salmon can cause it to become dry and tough. For the best results, take it out of the oven once it reaches 140ºF, and let it rest for 5 minutes to reach the ideal temperature of 145ºF.
• Caramelization of the Glaze: You’ll know the glaze is perfectly caramelized when the edges of the salmon start to turn golden brown, and there’s a slight crispness where the honey has cooked into the surface. If you want more caramelization, you can broil the salmon for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, but be sure to keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

How to Reduce the Marinade into a Glaze

• After baking: Take the remaining marinade and transfer it to a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glaze-like consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
• Serving suggestion: Once the salmon is baked, drizzle the glaze over the fillets before serving to add a glossy finish and extra flavor.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to avoid drying it out.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cooked salmon for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently before serving.

Side Suggestions

While the salmon bakes, you can prepare a side dish to serve alongside it:

• Steamed broccoli or any green vegetable pairs perfectly with the rich glaze.
• Brown rice or quinoa helps soak up the extra sauce and balances the flavors.
• A fresh green salad with a citrus vinaigrette also adds brightness to the meal.

By following these baking and serving tips, you’ll enjoy tender, flavorful Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon every time!

Print

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?