Now that we have all our ingredients prepped and ready, let’s move on to the step-by-step instructions for creating this delectable Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon. The process is straightforward and quick, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or a more elaborate dinner party. We’ll cover each step in detail to ensure your salmon turns out perfectly every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Honey Garlic Glaze

This glaze is the heart and soul of the recipe, so let’s start by making it. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using). Place the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk all the ingredients together to ensure they are well combined.

The gentle heat will help the honey dissolve and meld with the other ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Once it simmers, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze slightly thickens and becomes syrupy. Simmering allows the flavors to meld and intensify, creating a richer and more complex glaze. Be careful not to boil the glaze rapidly, as it can burn or become too thick. You are looking for a glaze that coats the back of a spoon nicely. Once the glaze has thickened slightly, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Salmon Fillets

While the glaze is simmering, prepare your salmon fillets. If you are using skin-on salmon, pat the skin side dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step as it helps to achieve crispy skin when cooking. Patting both sides of the salmon dry, regardless of whether it’s skin-on or skinless, will also help it to brown better during cooking and allow the glaze to adhere more effectively.

Check the salmon fillets for any pin bones. Run your fingers along the fillet to feel for any small bones and remove them with tweezers or fish bone pliers if necessary. This step ensures a more pleasant eating experience. Season both sides of the salmon fillets lightly with salt and pepper. While the soy sauce in the glaze is salty, a little pre-seasoning of the salmon itself enhances its natural flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Salmon

There are several methods you can use to cook the salmon for this recipe, each offering slightly different results. We will cover pan-searing, baking, and grilling to provide options for different preferences and equipment.

• Pan-Searing (Recommended for Crispy Skin): Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron or non-stick) over medium-high heat. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil (such as olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil) to the skillet. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) in the hot skillet. Sear for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. If using skinless salmon, sear for 3-4 minutes per side.The key to crispy skin is to start with a hot pan and not to move the salmon around too much while it’s searing. Press down gently on the salmon fillets with a spatula for the first minute or so to ensure even contact with the hot skillet. After searing the skin side, flip the salmon fillets and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your salmon fillets. Avoid overcooking the salmon, as it can become dry.
• Baking (Easiest and Most Hands-Off): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Place the seasoned salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily. Baking is a very hands-off method and is great for cooking multiple fillets at once. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon. Check for doneness by gently flaking the salmon with a fork – it should be opaque and moist throughout.
• Grilling (For a Smoky Flavor): Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) on the hot grill. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily. Grilling imparts a wonderful smoky flavor to the salmon. Be careful not to overcook the salmon on the grill, as it can dry out quickly. You can use a grill basket or foil to prevent the salmon from sticking to the grates and to make flipping easier.

Step 4: Glaze the Salmon

Once the salmon is cooked through, remove it from the skillet, oven, or grill. If pan-searing, you can remove the excess oil from the skillet before glazing. Pour the prepared honey garlic glaze over the cooked salmon fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated. If desired, you can return the glazed salmon to the skillet over low heat for a minute or two to allow the glaze to caramelize slightly and further adhere to the salmon. Be careful not to burn the glaze.

For baked or grilled salmon, you can brush the glaze over the salmon during the last few minutes of cooking or after it’s cooked. If you want a thicker glaze, you can reduce the glaze further in the saucepan after removing the salmon, but be mindful that it can become too thick quickly.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Transfer the honey garlic glazed salmon to plates. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and serve immediately. The fresh green onions add a pop of color and a mild oniony flavor that complements the richness of the salmon and glaze. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped cilantro for additional garnish and flavor. Serve the salmon hot and enjoy!