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Easy Honey Garlic Salmon: Best 20-Minute Dinner Recipe

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This easy honey garlic salmon is ready in 20 minutes with simple ingredients. The honey caramelizes into a sticky, glossy coating while the garlic infuses every bite, and the salmon stays tender and flaky.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each, skin-on or skinless)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 green onions, sliced thinly (for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (for garnish)
  • Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
  3. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Wait until the oil shimmers, about 2 minutes.
  4. Place salmon fillets skin-side down (or presentation-side down if skinless) in the hot skillet. Cook without moving for 4 minutes to get a golden crust.
  5. Carefully flip each fillet using a fish spatula. Pour the honey garlic glaze into the pan around the salmon (not directly on top). Reduce heat to medium and cook for 3-4 minutes, spooning the bubbling glaze over the salmon as it cooks.
  6. Check for doneness: salmon should flake easily with a fork and reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). If glaze reduces too much, add a tablespoon of water to thin it out.
  7. Remove skillet from heat. Let salmon rest for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Don’t crowd the pan—cook in batches if needed. If glaze starts to burn, lower heat and add a splash of water. For best results, use fillets of similar thickness. The flavors deepen after a day in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, easy salmon recipe, 20-minute dinner, weeknight dinner, salmon fillet, honey glaze, garlic salmon

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/easy-honey-garlic-salmon-best-20-minute-dinner-recipe/