Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Last Updated on September 27, 2025 by Soul Food Cooking

When I first made Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, I immediately knew I had stumbled upon something special, talk about a game changer! For years, I’d prepared salmon in the same handful of ways: baked, grilled, or seared whole fillets. But these little bite-sized salmon cubes, generously glazed with a rich, sticky honey garlic sauce, completely elevated my dinner routine. The combination of sweet honey, garlic, and buttery salmon creates an irresistibly delicious flavor profile that hits all the right notes.

Not only are these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites incredibly tasty, they are so easy to make. Walk with me as I share this delicious and simple game changing recipe.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

Watch the Video for Honey Garlic Salmon

Ingredients

• Salmon Steaks: Salmon is the hearty protein base for this recipe.
• Honey: Honey gives the salmon bites a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes perfectly.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds acidity to balance the sweetness.
• Garlic: Garlic gives a savory depth to the sauce.
• Butter: Butter adds richness and helps create a silky, flavorful sauce.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil prevents sticking and promotes even cooking.
• Dried thyme: Dried thyme gives an earthy, herbaceous aroma that complements the salmon.
• Paprika: Paprika adds a subtle smoky sweetness and vibrant color.
• Garlic Powder: Garlic powder ensures a consistent garlic flavor throughout the dish.
• Salt: Salt enhances and balances all the flavors in the sauce.

Substitutions

A few substitutions that will work equally well are as followed:

1. Replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a slightly different sweetness profile.
2. For a spicy kick add cayenne pepper to the glaze to balance the sweetness.
3. Substitute soy sauce with tamari (gluten-free) or coconut aminos (lower sodium, slightly sweeter).
4. For a vegan option you can substitute the salmon with firm tofu or tempeh.

What You Will Need

• Frying Pan
• Mixing Bowl
• Cooking Utensils

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Salmon

Cut the salmon steaks into bite-sized pieces. Pat the salmon pieces dry with a paper towel. Place the salmon bites in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and mix until each piece is well coated. Add the thyme, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Mix until all the salmon pieces are well coated with the spices.

Step 2: Sear the Salmon

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan. Heat the pan over medium heat. Place the salmon bites in the pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side (4 minutes total). Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Honey Garlic Sauce

In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the honey and lemon juice and mix well. Add the minced garlic and mix well.

Step 4: Combine and Finish

Return the salmon bites to the pan with the honey garlic sauce. Simmer for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the salmon.

Step 5: Serve

Serve the Honey Garlic Salmon Bites immediately. Enjoy!

This is an easy to make and tasty dish that can be enjoyed at anytime. The combination of sweet and savory balance each other perfectly. Try making this recipe for your family and see just how much they will enjoy it too!

Serving Suggestions

Honey garlic salmon bites, with their sweet and savory glaze, offer a versatile canvas for various side dishes. a baked potato, garden salad, potato salad or black bean salad all provide a refreshing contrast to the rich salmon. For a heartier option, potato wedges, waffle fries or curly fries adds a satisfying contrast to the salmon bites. Alternatively, consider serving the bites over quinoa or rice for a complete and balanced meal.

Try to enhance this recipe by adding a squeeze of orange along with your lemon juice or top with sesame seeds or parsley.

What to Do With Leftover Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Here are some great ideas to try with Honey Garlic Salmon Bites:

1. Salmon Fried Rice
   Chop the bites in half then stir‑fry with cold, day‑old rice, scrambled egg, peas, carrots, and a splash of soy sauce to make delicious salmon fried rice. The sweet glaze on the salmon adds a lovely hint of honey and garlic throughout.
2. Salmon Grain Bowl
   Layer your salmon over a base of quinoa or brown rice, add steamed broccoli or roasted veggies, a handful of greens, and drizzle with a little extra honey‑garlic sauce or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
3. Honey Garlic Salmon Tacos
   Warm soft corn or flour tortillas, pile in flaked salmon, top with shredded cabbage or slaw, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. A dollop of crema or plain Greek yogurt balances the sweetness perfectly.
4. Creamy Salmon Pasta
   Toss these salmon bites into hot pasta (fettuccine or penne), stir in a touch of cream or coconut milk, a handful of spinach, and grated Parmesan. The sauce will pick up those honey‑garlic flavors for an easy weeknight meal.
5. Salmon‑Topped Salad
   Build a bed of mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, then crown with chilled salmon bites. A simple vinaigrette (olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard) ties it all together.
6. Breakfast Salmon Omelet
   Fold chopped salmon and a sprinkle of green onions into a three‑egg omelet. Serve with whole‑grain toast for a protein‑packed start to your day.
7. Open‑Face Salmon Sliders
   Pile salmon on toasted mini buns or crostini, add a smear of cream cheese or aioli, and garnish with thinly sliced radish or pickles. Perfect for appetizers or a light lunch!

Feel free to mix and match these ideas or toss your favorite veggies and grains into the mix—leftover salmon never tasted so good!

How to Store Honey Glazed Salmon Bites

To keep your honey garlic salmon bites at their best, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or zip‑lock bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. For longer storage, portion into freezer‑safe bags or containers, remove extra air, label with the date. Your Honey Garlic Salmon Bites will stay good for 3 months. When read to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge so they return to a safe temperature without entering the “danger zone.”

To reheat, place them In the oven, preheat to 275 °F, arrange the bites on a baking sheet, drizzle with a little extra sauce or water, cover tightly with foil, and heat for 10 minutes. On the stovetop, warm a nonstick pan over low heat with a teaspoon or two of water or reserved sauce, add the bites, cover, and steam 3–5 minutes, flipping once. For a quick fix, microwave on a plate covered with a damp paper towel in 30‑second bursts—stirring between cycles—until steaming hot. Let them rest a minute before serving, and you’ll have tender, saucy salmon bites all over again!

Try These Other Great Seafood Recipes

• Blackened Salmon
• Southern Fried Catfish
• Orange Roughy Recipe
• Catfish Nuggets
• Southern Fried Fish