Name: Honey Glazed Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt (or to taste); 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper (or to taste); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 4 skin-on salmon filets (4-5 ounces); 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (divided); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup honey; 3 tablespoons water; 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (or fresh-squeezed lemon juice); 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste, optional); Chopped flat-leaf parsley (for garnish, optional)

This post contains affiliate links and may earn commissions on recommended products. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe Save

For a quick and easy dinner that’s full of flavor, look no further than honey glazed salmon! It takes only 15 minutes to cook, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.

Four seasoned and cooked salmon fillets garnished with parsley in a baking dish.

This recipe has been retested and updated since first publishing May 2012.

Looking to eat more seafood this year? Salmon is an incredibly versatile protein to work with!

We love to have salmon at our house a few times a month. It cooks up so quickly that it makes for a great weeknight dinner, and there’s a wide variety of seasonings you can add to salmon.

One of our favorites has been this honey glazed salmon recipe. You cook it quickly on the stovetop, then make an easy pan sauce to drizzle over the top.

The result is a wonderfully tender and flaky salmon that’s full of savory-sweet flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s sure to be one of your go-to dishes this year too!

Ingredients for honey glazed salmon

Full list of ingredients including quantities is located in the recipe card.

Top-down view of ingredients for a recipe: salmon pieces, olive oil, garlic, honey, butter, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, white wine vinegar, pepper, salt, and parsley on a light surface.

You’ll need:

Salmon filets
Olive oil
Butter
Garlic
Honey
Garlic powder
White wine vinegar
Red pepper flakes
Parsley

I recommend using salmon with the skin on. It’s easier to cook in the pan this way, and the skin will crisp up nicely if you want to eat it. If you don’t like salmon skin, don’t worry! It will peel off easily after cooking.

If you like, you can swap the white wine vinegar for fresh lemon juice.

Baked salmon fillets with herbs in a white dish on a textured surface. Parsley and seasoning are nearby.

How to make this recipe

Combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl, then season the salmon evenly on both sides.

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the salmon skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes, until crisp.

Four seasoned salmon fillets on a cutting board, with a bowl of spices nearby on a speckled countertop.

Three pieces of seasoned salmon cooking in a black nonstick frying pan on a gray textured surface with a striped cloth nearby.

Flip and cook salmon on the other side for 5-7 minutes. If the salmon is browning too quickly, reduce heat to medium.

Transfer the salmon to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and remaining olive oil. Scrape up any stuck bits in the pan with a spatula and stir them into the liquid. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

A black frying pan with sautéed garlic in oil, placed on a gray textured surface next to a striped cloth.

A black frying pan with chopped garlic being sautéed in oil. A wooden spoon rests inside the pan on a patterned countertop, with a striped cloth beside it.

Stir in the honey, water, white wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened. This should take about 4-5 minutes.

Return the salmon to the pan or transfer to a serving dish, and spoon over the sauce to coat.

Garnish with parsley and serve.

Baked salmon fillets seasoned with herbs and pepper, topped with fresh parsley, in a white baking dish.

Recipe tips

If buying your salmon in one filet, look for one about 16-20 ounces in size. You can either have it sliced at the seafood counter, or divide it at home into filets. Make sure to cut it on the short edge for even pieces.

When cooking the salmon, try to not move it before it is ready. The salmon should easily turn once the proteins have tightened up, naturally releasing it from the pan. If you force it, the salmon can fall apart.

You can also make this recipe as salmon bites, by cutting the salmon into 1-inch pieces. It will take less time to cook, so take care to not overdo it.

Serving suggestions

Whip up some other quick dishes to serve with this flavorful salmon!

Cheesy polenta is one of my favorites with seafood, and you can round it out with snow peas or roasted asparagus.

Add a kick of spice with glazed Brussels sprouts, or cook up honey roasted carrots.

You can even serve this up as a salmon bowl with brown rice, sliced cucumber, edamame, and extra sauce spooned over the top.

Four seasoned salmon fillets garnished with herbs in a white baking dish.

You’ll love this simple glazed salmon recipe!

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below!
It means so much when you enjoy my recipes, so let me know how it goes and leave a comment if you have any questions.