Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe
There are some dishes that just feel right. They strike that wonderful balance between being special enough for a Saturday night dinner and straightforward enough for a Tuesday evening when you need something nourishing on the table. This Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe is exactly that. It’s the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with an incredible aroma and results in a beautiful, glistening fillet of fish that’s flaky, tender, and coated in a sauce that you’ll want to mop up with a spoon. Friends always ask me for this recipe after trying it at dinner parties, and I’m so excited to finally share it with all of you here.
What makes this particular roasted salmon recipe so memorable is the glaze. We’re not just brushing on a simple sauce; we’re creating a symphony of sweet, savoury, and sharp notes that caramelise under the heat of the oven. The honey provides a natural sweetness that turns sticky and golden, the garlic offers a pungent, aromatic depth, and a touch of soy sauce brings in that essential umami saltiness. The result is a perfectly cooked salmon fillet, moist on the inside with a slightly crisp, gloriously lacquered exterior. It’s a method that turns a simple piece of fish into something truly spectacular.
This recipe works beautifully for a quiet dinner for two, but it scales up effortlessly when you have guests. It’s ideal when you want to impress without spending hours over the stove. Pair it with some simple steamed greens and fluffy rice, and you have a complete, well-rounded meal that feels both wholesome and a little bit decadent. Let’s get into the kitchen and make something wonderful together.
Recipe Overview
This honey garlic roasted salmon recipe focuses on creating a rich, sticky glaze that perfectly complements the flaky texture of the fish. The key is to baste the salmon part-way through cooking, which builds up layers of flavour and creates that beautiful, caramelised finish. From my testing, I found that giving the salmon a quick sear in a pan before roasting gives it an unbeatable crispy skin, but you can skip this step if you’re short on time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 25-28 minutes
- Servings: 4 people
- Difficulty: Easy
Why You’ll Love This Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe
- Rich, Balanced Flavour: The glaze is a carefully balanced mix of sweet runny honey, sharp minced garlic, salty soy sauce, and a hint of zesty lemon. It’s not just sweet; it’s deeply savoury and coats the salmon beautifully.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From start to finish, this dish comes together in about 25 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a speedy mid-week dinner that tastes like you’ve put in much more effort.
- A Flexible Recipe: You can easily adjust the flavours to your liking. Add a pinch of red chilli flakes for heat, a teaspoon of grated ginger for warmth, or swap the lemon juice for lime. It’s very forgiving.
- Great for Special Dinners: While quick to make, its elegant presentation makes it a brilliant main course for a dinner party or a celebratory meal at home. It always gets compliments.
- Family Tested: My whole family enjoys this one, even the fussier eaters. The gentle sweetness of the honey makes it very approachable, and it’s a wonderful way to serve up healthy Omega-3s.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, using good quality ingredients really makes a difference, especially the salmon and the honey. I prefer to use a good Scottish salmon fillet with the skin on, as it gets wonderfully crisp. For the honey, a clear, runny variety like acacia or orange blossom honey works best as it incorporates smoothly into the glaze. Avoid set honey, as it can be difficult to melt down evenly.
- 4 salmon fillets (approx. 150-180g each), skin-on or skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced, for garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- For the Honey-Garlic Glaze:
- 80ml runny honey
- 60ml reduced-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional, but recommended)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Kira’s Tip: Take your salmon out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before you plan to cook it. Letting it come closer to room temperature helps it cook more evenly, preventing the outside from overcooking while the inside is still too cool.
How to Make Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe
The process for this roasted salmon is straightforward. We’ll start by making the glaze, then sear the salmon for a crispy skin before finishing it in the oven, basting it to build up that irresistible sticky coating.
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set it aside for a moment to let the flavours meld.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step for getting a good sear and crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Sear the Salmon (Optional but Recommended): Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, place the salmon fillets skin-side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes, without moving them, until the skin is golden and crisp. This step adds incredible texture. I find that pressing down gently on the fillets with a spatula for the first 30 seconds helps the skin make full contact with the pan.
- Glaze and Roast: If you used an oven-safe skillet, you can proceed directly. If not, transfer the seared salmon fillets to your prepared baking tray, skin-side down. Spoon about half of the honey-garlic glaze over the top of the fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking tray or skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes. After this time, remove the salmon from the oven and spoon the remaining glaze over the fillets. Return to the oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes. The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque. You can check the internal temperature, which should be around 55-60°C for medium. Check out this guide from BBC Good Food on cooking salmon for more tips.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the salmon rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist fillet. Garnish with finely sliced spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.
Tips From My Kitchen
- Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Salmon can go from perfectly cooked to dry in a minute. It’s better to slightly undercook it and let it finish cooking from residual heat as it rests. It should be slightly pink in the very centre for the most tender result.
- The Basting Secret: I learned that the two-step glazing process is key. The first glaze bakes into the fish, and the second one applied towards the end creates that final, sticky, lacquered coating that makes this dish so special. Don’t skip it!
- Make-Ahead Glaze: The honey-garlic glaze can be made up to 3 days in advance. Just store it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. This makes assembly on a busy night even faster.
- Storage: Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It’s lovely flaked into a salad the next day or gently reheated in the microwave at 50% power.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large oven-safe skillet or a standard frying pan and a separate baking tray
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Small mixing bowl and whisk
- Fish slice or spatula
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Patting the Salmon Dry: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. A wet salmon fillet will steam rather than sear, resulting in soggy skin. Use paper towels and be thorough.
- Using a Glaze with Cold Honey: If your honey is too thick, it won’t mix well. If needed, you can gently warm the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan for a minute to help them combine into a smooth, pourable sauce.
- Overcrowding the Pan: When searing, ensure there is enough space between the fillets. If they are too close together, they will steam instead of sear, and you won’t achieve that lovely crispy skin. Cook in batches if necessary.
Delicious Variations to Try
This honey garlic salmon recipe is a fantastic starting point. Here are a few ways you can adapt it to your taste or what you have on hand.
- Spicy Honey-Garlic Salmon: Add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or your favourite chilli-garlic sauce to the glaze for a more pronounced, spicy kick.
- Herbaceous Twist: Stir a tablespoon of finely chopped fresh parsley or coriander into the glaze just before serving for a fresh, vibrant lift.
- Different Protein: This glaze works wonderfully with other ingredients. Try it with chicken thighs (you’ll need to adjust the cooking time), prawns, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
What to Serve With Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe
The beauty of this dish is its versatility. It pairs well with so many different sides. Here are a few of my go-to accompaniments:
- Steamed Asparagus or Tenderstem Broccoli: The fresh, green flavour of steamed vegetables cuts through the richness of the glaze perfectly. A squeeze of lemon over the top finishes it nicely.
- Fluffy White Rice: Basmati or jasmine rice is ideal for soaking up any extra honey-garlic sauce from the pan. It’s a simple, classic pairing.
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes: For something a little more substantial, my Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes Side are a brilliant match. The crunchy potatoes provide a great textural contrast to the tender salmon.
- Wine Pairing: A dry Riesling or a Sauvignon Blanc works beautifully here. The acidity of the wine balances the sweetness of the honey glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat Your Oven: First things first, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, lemon juice, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set it aside for a moment to let the flavours meld.
- Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step for getting a good sear and crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Sear the Salmon (Optional but Recommended): Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, place the salmon fillets skin-side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes, without moving them, until the skin is golden and crisp. This step adds incredible texture. I find that pressing down gently on the fillets with a spatula for the first 30 seconds helps the skin make full contact with the pan.
- Glaze and Roast: If you used an oven-safe skillet, you can proceed directly. If not, transfer the seared salmon fillets to your prepared baking tray, skin-side down. Spoon about half of the honey-garlic glaze over the top of the fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking tray or skillet in the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes. After this time, remove the salmon from the oven and spoon the remaining glaze over the fillets. Return to the oven and bake for another 3-5 minutes. The salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque. You can check the internal temperature, which should be around 55-60°C for medium. Check out this guide from BBC Good Food on cooking salmon for more tips.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the salmon rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist fillet. Garnish with finely sliced spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
I really hope you enjoy making this Honey-Garlic Roasted Salmon. It has become a reliable favourite in my kitchen, and I love how it delivers such impressive results with minimal fuss. It’s proof that a handful of good ingredients can create something truly special. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please leave a comment and a rating below! Happy cooking, Kira.
