Honey Ginger Glazed Salmon Recipe

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salmon filets on a skillet with green onions

This ginger honey glazed salmon recipe is the perfect way to learn how to easily cook salmon and create a healthy salmon meal that the whole family will love.

You should know that cooking salmon is way easier than most people think!

There’s never a bad time to enjoy salmon, but something about the warmer months always has me craving fish. It’s probably because hot days make me want light, refreshing meals and fish tends to be perfect for that sort of thing.

Salmon has always been one of my favorite types of fish for many reasons. For starters, it’s a fatty fish that is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.

Not only that, but salmon is also deliciously tender and flaky when cooked correctly. There are tons of great ways to cook salmon (trust me, I’ve tried most of them!), but this ginger honey glazed salmon recipe is easily one of my favorites.

This easy fish recipe marinates for 20 minutes and then cooks in under 20 minutes. It’s glazed with a vibrant marinade made from a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and raw honey. It’s sweet, savory, sticky, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

You’ll also love my Salmon in under 30 minutes and Miso Salmon Curry with Coconut Milk recipes, too.

I love serving my honey glazed salmon with a side of steamed rice and broccoli or green beans, but you can pair it with potatoes, pasta, or any other sides you like.

With just a few minutes of prep time and 15 minutes in the oven, this easy recipe is a no-brainer for weeknight dinners. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Health Benefits of Salmon

So, is salmon healthy?

Absolutely! Not only is it amazingly tasty, but it’s also super good for you.

When it comes to lean sources of protein, salmon is about as good as it gets. This fatty fish is loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

There are many benefits commonly associated with salmon, so let’s break them down here:

  • Reduced risk of cancer and heart disease
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Decreased inflammation
  • Improved bone and skin health
  • Brain function support
  • Enhanced mood
  • Supported weight management

honey glazed salmon with green onions on skillet

Ginger Honey Glazed Salmon Ingredients

Let’s break down the ingredients you’ll need to make this mouthwatering ginger honey glazed salmon.

  • Salmon Filets: Opt for wild-caught salmon if you can, but if that’s not available then farm-raised salmon will work fine too. Newer farm-raising methods have become more sustainable and more affordable, too. I like to buy fresh salmon at the fish counter to save time, but frozen salmon filets work, too. Defrost frozen salmon before cooking. And, regardless of if it’s fresh or frozen, always pat fish dry with paper towels before cooking! Patting the fish dry will always yield the best texture. The fish becomes perfectly soft and flaky when it’s baked with the honey glaze.
  • Soy Sauce: I like to use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) to keep the salt level down, but use any kind you like. To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos.
  • Rice Vinegar: The acidity in rice vinegar helps to brighten up the marinade, enhancing the natural sweetness and making it even more delicious. If you don’t have rice vinegar, white wine vinegar would work, too.
  • Honey: This is what brings the glaze together. Honey caramelizes beautifully in the oven and adds a delicious natural sweetness to the dish.
  • Ginger: Fresh minced ginger perfectly balances the sweet and savory flavors.
  • Garlic: For the best-tasting results, I highly recommend using fresh garlic, not the kind that comes in a jar.
  • Garnishes: I love topping off the salmon filets with chopped green onions and black sesame seeds for beautiful color contrast and added flavor.

The honey, ginger, and garlic marinade on this salmon elevate it to a gourmet-style meal with barely any effort. It’s a win all around.

How to Make Honey Glazed Salmon

In addition to being crazy delicious, this recipe is also super easy to make. You only need a few minutes of prep time followed by 20 minutes to let the flavors of the marinade absorb into the salmon, then 15 minutes in the oven. Just like that, you’ve got the perfect weeknight meal. Follow the simple steps below.

1. Pat the salmon dry, then add them to a large bowl. Press the minced garlic and ginger on top of each filet.
2. In a small bowl, add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Mix to combine, then pour over the salmon and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Add the fish to a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet or parchment-lined cast iron skillet, then bake for 15-18 minutes until opaque and flaky.
4. Top with chopped green onions and black sesame seeds, then serve and enjoy! The sesame seeds are really to make it pretty so you can leave those off if you don’t have any, but definitely add the green onions because they add wonderful flavor.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Here are some of my top tips to help you make the best-ever glazed salmon:

  1. Make sure to use the best-quality fish you can find. I’m a big advocate for wild-caught salmon because it tends to pack in more nutrients and fewer calories than farm-raised salmon. Don’t worry about the fresh vs. frozen salmon debate—most fresh fish you find at the grocery store was already frozen anyway.
  2. If you buy fresh salmon, make sure to use it within the first few days. Fresh fish tends to go bad somewhat quickly.
    You can leave the skin on or take it off, but I recommend cooking the salmon with the skin on either way because it acts as a barrier and keeps the fish from burning. It’s also easier to slide off after it’s been cooked.
  3. If you love bright and tangy flavors, try adding lime zest or lemon zest to the ginger honey marinade.
  4. For a burst of nutty flavors, add a teaspoon of sesame oil to the marinade before coating the salmon.
  5. Serve this dish with veggies and steamed rice, roasted potatoes, or whole-grain pasta for a complete meal that tastes as good as it makes you feel.
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honey glazed salmon with green onions on skillet

Honey Ginger Glazed Salmon Recipe

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  • Author: Elizabeth Rider
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Mix, bake
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This crave-worthy ginger honey glazed salmon recipe is easy to make and bursting with delicious flavors. Serve with steamed rice and veggies for the ultimate healthy weeknight meal!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon filets, about 6oz each
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (or coconut aminos)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 12 chopped green onions for garnish, to taste
  • Black sesame seeds to taste (omit if desired)

Instructions

1. Pat the salmon fillets dry, then add them to a shallow bowl. Press the minced garlic and ginger on top of each filet.
2. In a small bowl, add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Mix to combine, then pour over the salmon and cover. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the marinade to soak in.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Add the fish to a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet or cast iron skillet, then bake for 15-18 minutes until opaque and flaky.
4. Top with chopped green onions and black sesame seeds, then serve and enjoy!


Notes

Gluten-Free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most popular questions about this ginger honey glazed salmon recipe:

How long should you marinate salmon before cooking?

Because fish is incredibly delicate, you don’t want to marinate it for too long before cooking or you risk letting the acid in the vinegar break down the fibers. For the best results, you shouldn’t marinate fish for more than 1-2 hours. I’ve found that this salmon only needs 20 minutes in the fridge for the marinade flavors to fully infuse.

What fish can I substitute for salmon?

If you don’t have salmon or want to try something else, you can use any other fatty fish in its place. Some common substitutes for salmon include trout, mackerel, and halibut.

How do I know when salmon is done?

You can tell the salmon is done cooking when it’s opaque and can be easily flaked with a fork. If you have an instant-read food thermometer, you can stick it into the thickest part of the fish to check its doneness. When it’s fully cooked, it should read 145°F.

However, keep in mind that fish will continue to cook after it’s been removed from the oven, so you can take it out at 135°F or 140°F and let it rest for a few minutes if desired.

Can I make this dish without an oven?

Absolutely! If you don’t want to use the oven, you can cook honey glazed salmon on the grill or on a skillet. Salmon takes around 6-10 minutes on the stove and about the same on the grill. It all depends on the thickness of your filets and how well you like them to be cooked, so just make sure to keep an eye on them and keep a meat thermometer handy.

How do you store cooked salmon?

To store leftover cooked salmon, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Then, you can store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Alternatively, you could pop it into the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you’re ready to thaw your salmon, transfer it over to the fridge for 24-48 hours before using it and reheat in the oven until warm.

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Hi, I'm Elizabeth

I teach you how to be healthier without extremes, so you can live more and obsess less.

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