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Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon - Sweet, Savory, and Ready in Minutes

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Salmon fillets (4 pieces, 5–6 oz each, skin-on preferred)
  • Honey (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Garlic (4 cloves, minced)
  • Soy sauce (low-sodium preferred, 2 tablespoons)
  • Rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon)
  • Lemon or lime (1, for juice and optional zest)
  • Fresh ginger (optional, 1 teaspoon grated)
  • Red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne (optional, for heat)
  • Olive oil or avocado oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
  • Green onions (optional, sliced for garnish)

Method
 

  1. Pat the salmon dry. Use paper towels to remove surface moisture. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dry fish sears better and helps the glaze stick.
  2. Stir together the glaze. In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, vinegar, a squeeze of lemon, and ginger if using. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
  3. Preheat your pan. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. You want it hot but not smoking, so the salmon browns quickly.
  4. Sear the salmon skin-side down first. Place fillets in the pan and press gently with a spatula for 10–15 seconds to prevent curling. Cook 3–4 minutes until the skin is crisp and the sides look opaque halfway up.
  5. Flip and cook briefly. Turn the fillets and cook 1–2 minutes to get color on the top. Don’t fully cook through yet.
  6. Add the glaze. Pour the honey garlic mixture around the salmon. Reduce heat to medium. Spoon the bubbling glaze over the fish as it thickens, 1–3 minutes. The sauce will turn glossy and slightly sticky.
  7. Finish with acidity. When the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 125–130°F for medium (or 135°F for medium-well), turn off the heat. Add another small squeeze of lemon to brighten the sauce.
  8. Rest and garnish. Let the salmon rest 2 minutes in the pan. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve with extra glaze spooned on top.