Description
Tender, flaky salmon fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and glazed with an irresistible honey butter garlic sauce. This restaurant-quality dish comes together in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients, delivering incredible flavor that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. The sweet and savory glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a dish that’s both healthy and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless, about 1-inch thick)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about ½ lemon)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for subtle heat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Salmon: Remove salmon from refrigerator 10-15 minutes before cooking to bring to room temperature. Pat fillets completely dry with paper towels on all sides—this is crucial for achieving a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice until well combined. Set aside. The honey may not fully dissolve yet—that’s okay, it will when heated.
- Sear the Salmon: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt, swirling to coat the pan. Once the butter is sizzling and fragrant (but not browned), carefully place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side up if using skin-on salmon. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms on the bottom.
- Flip and Continue: Using a fish spatula, carefully flip each fillet. The salmon should release easily from the pan when ready—if it’s sticking, give it another minute. Cook the second side for 3-4 minutes until salmon is nearly cooked through but still slightly translucent in the very center.
- Add the Glaze: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan around the salmon (not directly on top). Once melted, pour the honey-garlic sauce mixture over and around the salmon fillets. The sauce will bubble and start to caramelize immediately.
- Baste and Finish: Using a spoon, continuously baste the salmon with the bubbling honey butter sauce for 2-3 minutes. Tilt the pan slightly to pool the sauce, making basting easier. The sauce will thicken and become glossy, and the salmon will finish cooking through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F for perfectly cooked salmon, or 130-135°F if you prefer it slightly rare in the center (my personal preference).
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let the salmon rest in the pan for 1-2 minutes. The residual heat will finish cooking it gently. Transfer salmon to serving plates, spoon the remaining honey butter garlic sauce generously over each fillet, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Salmon Thickness: If your fillets are thinner than 1 inch, reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes per side to avoid overcooking.
- Skin-On vs. Skinless: Skin-on salmon holds together better during cooking. If using skinless, handle more gently when flipping.
- Don’t Overcook: Salmon continues cooking after removing from heat. It’s better to slightly undercook than overcook—the center should be just barely opaque or slightly translucent for the juiciest results.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce seems too thin, let it bubble for an extra minute. If too thick, add a splash of water or lemon juice.
- Oven Method: Alternatively, sear both sides on stovetop, add sauce, then transfer the oven-safe skillet to a 400°F oven for 5-7 minutes to finish cooking.
- Watch the Garlic: Minced garlic can burn in the hot butter. If it starts browning too quickly, reduce heat immediately.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Seafood
- Method: Stovetop, Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American / French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with sauce (about 6 oz)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 485mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 125mg