Honey Glazed Salmon

Name: Honey Glazed Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup honey; 3 cloves minced garlic (about 1 tablespoon); 1 1/2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari; 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 6-ounce skin-on salmon fillets; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; Squeeze fresh lime juice or lemon juice; Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion; Prepared brown rice or cauliflower rice (optional for serving)

When you see the word “glazed,” you know it’s going to be a great recipe! Throw in a scrumptious protein (salmon) plus sweet liquid gold (honey), and you have the perfect dinner. This easy Honey Glazed Salmon tastes every bit as tantalizing as its name promises.

Easy honey glazed salmon and rice on a plate

Tender salmon fillets bathed in a quick honey and soy glaze, then baked to flaky perfection, this healthy salmon recipe is easy to make, yet exquisite in taste!

It is worthy of any restaurant menu and perfect for serving with veggies or any of your favorite sides.

Had I ordered this baked glazed salmon while dining out (which surely I would have given my weakness for dishes involving the word “glazed”—see also Bourbon Glazed Salmon, Miso Glazed Salmon, and Balsamic Glazed Salmon), I would have been the envy order at the table.

Salmon (and fish at large) has a reputation for being difficult to cook. It intimidated me for years.

Don’t you dare believe it!

Honey glazed salmon fillets in a baking dish

About This Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe

In truth, you don’t need any kind of serious cooking experience to make recipes like these honey glazed salmon filets with success.

If you are new to cooking salmon, start with my Baked Salmon, which has been viewed millions of times, has hundreds of glowing reviews, and is foolproof.
For a more in-depth look at salmon oven temperatures, baking tips, and how to cook your salmon to various temperatures (medium, medium-rare, etc), check out my Baked Salmon Temperature Guide. These tips for how to cook salmon will be helpful for you too.
I also highly HIGHLY recommend the back pocket 5 Ingredient Maple Dijon Salmon from my cookbook.

This baked salmon recipe, in particular, is one of my favorites, because it tastes especially impressive.

Thanks to the sweet-meets-salty honey soy glaze, it’s a great starter fish recipe for seafood skeptics (as is Teriyaki Salmon, which has a scrumptious teriyaki glaze).

Healthy honey glazed salmon in a baking dish

How to Make Baked Honey Glazed Salmon

This recipe takes advantage of salmon’s versatility and its healthy richness by pairing it with ingredients that bring out its best qualities.

A combination of sweet flavors (like honey), acidic ingredients (like lime juice and vinegar), and aromatics like garlic go best with salmon.

This recipe uses a little of each, plus a touch of saltiness and heat for balance.

Keeping Salmon Moist

The most important tip to keep in mind when cooking salmon is to not overcook it, or your salmon will taste dry.

The best way to tell your salmon is done is to use an instant read thermometer. Fish is done at an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, but I like to pull my salmon out around 135 to 140 degrees F and let it rest. The carryover cooking will allow it to reach temperature.
Salmon is done when it is no longer deep red in the center and flakes easily with a fork.
Baked salmon recipes, like this honey glazed salmon in the oven are a little more sensitive to overcooking, because the oven uses dry heat. For a method that also incorporates moisture, check out Poached Salmon and Instant Pot Salmon.

The Ingredients

Salmon. Lean, flavorful, and delicious with the honey soy glaze. The salmon becomes perfectly tender, moist, and flaky after baking. No marinade time is required, making this recipe quick and easy.

The Best Salmon to Cook

The best salmon to cook is wild-caught (if available). Wild-caught salmon is generally lower in calories, saturated fats, and pollutants than its farm-raised counterparts. I typically purchase a coho, king, or sockeye variety of wild-caught salmon.

Honey. The key to our sweet and sticky glaze. Honey caramelizes beautifully in the oven and adds addictive natural sweetness. If you enjoy it, check out this Honey Garlic Salmon next!
Soy Sauce. The salty, umami complement to our sweet flavors (just like in this umami-rich Soy Ginger Salmon).

Substitution Tip!

If you’d like to make honey glazed salmon without soy sauce, you can swap tamari or coconut aminos instead.

Rice Wine Vinegar. For a mild acidity and delightful sweetness.
Red Pepper Flakes. I used just a pinch for a little heat. If you’d like to make this spicy honey glazed salmon, you can add more to taste.
Lime Juice. A finishing touch of citrus is delicious with the glaze.

The Directions

Make the honey glaze for the salmon on the stove over medium-high heat.

Arrange the salmon skin-side down in a baking dish. Pat the salmon dry and season it.

Pour the glaze over the salmon.

Bake honey glazed salmon at 400 degrees F for 12 to 14 minutes, spooning the glaze from the dish over the top halfway through.

Spoon the glaze over the salmon fillets once more, then finish with lime juice and cilantro. ENJOY!

Grilling Method

To try this honey glazed salmon grilled, prepare the glaze as directed, then brush it on and follow the cooking method for this Grilled Salmon in Foil or Cedar Plank Salmon. I’d suggest basting the fish a few times as it cooks.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover salmon in an airtight storage container for up to 2 days.
To Reheat. When rewarming your honey glazed salmon, pan fried is the best method. Very gently rewarm salmon in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can use the thawed salmon in any recipe that you would use canned salmon.

Meal Plan Tip

Measure and mix the glaze ingredients together up to 1 day in advance. Store the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.

Leftover Ideas

Turn your leftovers into a delicious meal by mixing the salmon into Homemade Fried Rice or Asian Noodle Salad. The leftover salmon would also be tasty served on this Ramen Salad.

What to Serve with Honey Glazed Salmon

Green Vegetables. Just about any vegetable goes great with salmon! Try asparagus (Air Fryer Asparagus, Roasted Asparagus, Grilled Asparagus) which is a classic salmon pairing, or Roasted Green Beans.
Cruciferous Veggies. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Cauliflower, and Air Fryer Broccoli pair nicely with salmon.
Root Vegetables. For a starchy component, serve Oven Roasted Potatoes, an Air Fryer Sweet Potato, or Scalloped Potatoes alongside salmon.
Noodles or Grains. Instant Pot Brown Rice, Vegetable Lo Mein, and Asian Noodle Salad are all tasty side dish options with soy honey glazed salmon. To keep it low-carb, use cauliflower rice.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Baking Dish. Perfect for making this simple honey glazed salmon baked in foil.
Instant Read Thermometer. The easiest way to know if your salmon is done.
Saucepan. A saucepan is ideal for preparing the glaze.

Beautiful Baking Dish

This high-quality baking dish will last you a lifetime. It’s perfect for making anything from casseroles to salmon.

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Honey glazed salmon, you had me at hello!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Seasoning is Best on Salmon?

Salmon is versatile and can stand up to a wide range of flavors, so what to add to salmon is based entirely on your personal tastes. A sweet and savory glaze like the one in this recipe is always an excellent choice. For a dry spice rub, try Salmon Seasoning or Blackened Salmon. For salmon with herbs as part of the seasoning, my Pesto Salmon is perfect. See all my salmon recipes to find your best match.

Can I Use Salmon Without the Skin?

I prefer to use skin-on salmon fillets for this recipe, as the salmon holds together better during baking and stays moist. However, you can make this recipe with skinless salmon fillets if that’s what you have on hand.

Is It Better to Bake or Fry Salmon?

If your priority is to use less oil, it is better to bake salmon than fry it (or make Air Fryer Salmon for the best of both worlds). Baking salmon is one of the healthiest ways to eat it, since little added oil is needed. Salmon is already high in healthy monounsaturated fat, omega-3s, along with protein and potassium. Baking takes advantage of its natural moisture, with yummy, flaky results. If you’d like to do a spin on fried salmon that’s still good for you, try Pan Seared Salmon (the oil is moderate).