There’s something truly satisfying about a perfectly cooked salmon, especially when it’s glazed with a sweet and savory sauce that just pulls everything together. This Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe is exactly that kind of dish – simple, flavorful, and totally crowd-pleasing every time I make it.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve tried plenty of salmon recipes over the years, but this one stands out for its easy prep and flavor that feels both fresh and indulgent. It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again, whether you’re cooking for yourself or a full table.
- Balanced flavors: The honey soy glaze hits that perfect mix of sweet and salty that brightens every bite of salmon.
- Quick and fuss-free: You can have dinner ready in about 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Moist and tender salmon: Baking at a high temperature with the glaze locks in juices, so the fish stays flaky and delicious.
- Versatile: This glaze works beautifully with other fish or even chicken, so it’s a handy skill to add to your culinary toolkit.
Ingredients & Why They Work
What’s great about the ingredients in this Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe is how they complement each other to create a rich but balanced taste. Using fresh garlic and Dijon mustard adds depth, while the honey and soy sauce bring a glossy, irresistible glaze. Here’s a quick rundown of why I love each one:
- Salmon fillets: Skin-on fillets help keep the fish moist during baking and give you that crispy skin texture if you like.
- Soy sauce: Choose low sodium to control the saltiness, and it adds that savory umami flavor we all crave.
- Olive oil: Gives the glaze a silky smooth texture and helps the salmon cook evenly.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and creates a caramelized finish without overpowering the fish.
- Dijon mustard: A little tang that brightens the glaze and balances the sweetness.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a punch of aroma and flavor that’s far superior to powders.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Over time, I’ve tweaked it to suit whatever mood I’m in or what’s in my pantry – and you should feel free to do the same!
- Variation: I like adding a little fresh grated ginger to the glaze for a bit of zing when I want a more Asian-inspired flavor profile.
- Spicy kick: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha turns it into a sweet-heat sensation that really wakes up your taste buds.
- Herb twist: Topping the cooked salmon with chopped cilantro or green onions adds color and freshness right before serving.
- Gluten-free swap: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce if you’re avoiding gluten – it still tastes amazing.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Warm Up the Salmon
Start by letting your salmon sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes. This helps the fish cook evenly and prevents those cold, undercooked centers. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400° F and line your baking dish with parchment paper or foil – it’s a simple cleanup hack I swear by.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix low sodium soy sauce, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and freshly minced garlic. I always whisk this until it’s smooth and glossy—it makes the glaze stick more beautifully to the salmon.
Step 3: Glaze and Bake
Place your salmon fillets skin-side down in the baking dish. Brush half of the glaze over the top, then pop the dish into the oven. Bake for 12 minutes, then give the salmon a good brush with the rest of the glaze and bake for another 2 to 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the thickness of your fillets as thicker pieces need more time. The best indicator of doneness? The fish should flake easily with a fork.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe foolproof. These little nuggets save time and prevent some of the common pitfalls I ran into early on.
- Room temperature salmon: Don’t skip this step. Cold fish straight from the fridge tends to cook unevenly.
- Double glaze: Brushing the glaze twice creates a sticky, caramelized coating that’s next-level delicious.
- Mind your cook time: Check the thickness of your salmon—no two fillets are alike! Thicker ones need a few extra minutes, so test with a fork.
- Use parchment or foil: It makes cleanup so much easier, and your glaze won’t stick to the pan.
How to Serve Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping the salmon with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and some finely chopped green onions. It adds a lovely crunch and a burst of color that makes the dish feel special – plus, it smells amazing right as you serve it.
Side Dishes
This salmon glaze pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice and a side of sautéed bok choy or garlic green beans. For heartier meals, I often add a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar to keep things fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners or when I want to impress guests, I’ve plated the glazed salmon on a bed of coconut-infused quinoa with edible flowers and microgreens scattered on top. It’s a feast for the eyes and makes everyone feel like they’re dining somewhere fancy, even if it was a quick weeknight meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover salmon keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I recommend placing a piece of parchment or wax paper between fillets if you’re stacking them to avoid any sticking or tearing.
Freezing
I usually don’t freeze cooked salmon because it can lose texture, but if you need to, wrap individual fillets tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating gently.
Reheating
Reheating gently on low in the oven or covered in a skillet with a splash of water or broth keeps the salmon moist and prevents it from drying out. Microwave works in a pinch, but watch the timing closely to avoid toughness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use frozen salmon fillets, but make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before starting. This ensures even cooking and proper glaze absorption.
The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through. If you have a meat thermometer, 125-130° F for a slightly medium texture or 145° F for fully cooked as per FDA guidelines are good targets.
Absolutely! Doubling the glaze ingredients and serving half for brushing and half as a dipping sauce is a fantastic way to enjoy extra flavor alongside your salmon.
Definitely! This glaze works wonderfully on shrimp, chicken breasts, or even tofu, making it a versatile addition to your recipe rotation.
Final Thoughts
I keep coming back to this Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe because it feels like such a simple luxury. There’s an ease to making it that takes the stress out of dinner, plus the flavors always impress. Give it a try next time you’re in the kitchen—I’m sure it’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes, too.
Print
Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This Best Ever Baked Salmon recipe features tender, flaky salmon fillets glazed with a savory honey-soy marinade, baked to perfection for a delicious and easy dinner.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets, 6 ounces each, skin on
Glaze
- 1 ½ tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare salmon: Remove the salmon from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven to 400° F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil for easy clean up.
- Make glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until well combined.
- Apply glaze and position salmon: Place the salmon fillets skin side down into the prepared baking dish. Reserve half of the glaze in a clean dish, then brush or spoon the remaining half over the salmon fillets evenly.
- Bake initial time: Bake the salmon for 12 minutes in the preheated oven to begin cooking and allow the glaze to set.
- Glaze and finish baking: After 12 minutes, brush the reserved glaze over the salmon and continue baking for an additional 8 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches your preferred doneness. Thicker fillets may require more time.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately. The salmon is best when rested for a few minutes after baking. For safe consumption, aim for an internal temperature of 145° F, or cook to 125-130° F and let rest for 3 minutes.
Notes
- You can substitute the glaze with a dry rub using your favorite Salmon Seasoning applied before baking.
- If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the amount of honey slightly or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
- Thicker salmon fillets may require additional baking time to ensure they are fully cooked.
- To avoid overcooking, monitor the salmon closely during the last few minutes of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (6 ounces)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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