Description
A quick, sticky, and savory weeknight dinner featuring salmon fillets coated in a sweet and garlicky honey-soy glaze, finished with toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g., avocado or light olive oil)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat a small dry pan over medium heat and toast the sesame seeds for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside.
- Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the salmon fillets skin-side down.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes without moving the fish until the edges turn opaque and the skin is crispy.
- Flip the salmon carefully and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side, or until it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the glaze mixture into the skillet around the salmon.
- Spoon the glaze over the salmon repeatedly and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens and becomes sticky.
- Transfer salmon to plates, spoon remaining glaze over the top, and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
Pat the salmon dry before cooking to ensure a good sear. Do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Toast sesame seeds for maximum flavor. The glaze contains sugar and can burn easily, so reduce heat to medium-low once added. Salmon continues to cook after removal from heat; remove at 140°F for perfect doneness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 30
Keywords: salmon, honey garlic, glazed salmon, quick dinner, weeknight meals, healthy seafood, sesame salmon, 15 minute recipes