Honey Glazed Salmon

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Last Updated on April 24, 2026 by Barbara

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s easy to make but looks and tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen, this Honey Glazed Salmon is IT! I promise you, this recipe is one of those dishes that will have everyone at the table thinking you’re a five-star chef. We’re talking beautiful salmon steaks cooked in a sweet, buttery honey sauce with garlic and lemon — and it comes together in no time!

Salmon is one of my favorite things to cook because it’s so versatile and it’s a healthy dinner choice that the whole family loves. From grilled salmon to salmon patties, I love it all. But this honey glazed salmon? This is the one I pull out for special occasions. The butter gets golden brown, the honey melts in and gets all glossy, and when that lemon juice hits the pan — oh, your kitchen is going to smell incredible! This salmon pairs beautifully with roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and a fresh salad.

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Table of Contents

Recipe Overview

Dish: Honey Glazed Salmon
Flavor Profile: Sweet, savory, buttery with a hint of citrus
Method: Stovetop sear + oven broil
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Best For: Weeknight dinner, date night, special occasions
Prep: 30 min

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– The honey butter sauce is sweet, savory, and absolutely irresistible — it coats the salmon perfectly and caramelizes beautifully under the broiler!

– This recipe uses just a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen — butter, honey, garlic, lemon juice, and salmon.

– It’s elegant enough for date night or a special dinner party, but easy enough to make on a busy weeknight when you want something quick and impressive.

Ingredients for Salmon Recipe

For the complete ingredient list with measurements see the recipe card below

Salmon steaks
butter
honey
garlic
lemon juice
salt
parsley

Tools You Will Need

Cast-iron skillet (this is a must for this recipe!)
Oven with broiler setting
Spoon for basting
Oven mitts

Watch Me Make Honey Glazed Salmon

How to Make Honey Glazed Salmon

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven to Broil

Before you do anything else, make sure to set your oven to broil. You want that broiler nice and hot and ready to go when it’s time to finish your salmon. This step is important because the broil is what gives the salmon that gorgeous, caramelized glaze on top!

Step 2: Brown the Butter

In a cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Now here’s the key — allow the butter to cook until it turns a beautiful golden-brown color. Don’t rush this step! That browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that takes this dish to a whole other level. You’ll know it’s ready when it smells amazing and turns that gorgeous golden color.

Butter in Cast Iron Skillet for Honey Glazed Salmon

Step 3: Add the Honey

Once your butter is golden brown, add the honey and mix until it’s well dissolved into the butter. This is where the magic starts happening! The honey and browned butter come together to create this sweet, rich sauce that’s going to coat your salmon perfectly. Stir it well so everything is nice and combined.

Adding Honey to Cast Iron Skillet for Honey Glazed Salmon

Step 4: Saute the Garlic

Add the garlic to your honey butter sauce and saute for about one minute. You want the garlic to be fragrant but not burned — burned garlic is bitter and we don’t want that! Just one minute is all you need to get that beautiful garlic flavor into the sauce.

Adding Garlic to Skillet for Honey Glazed Salmon

Step 5: Add the Lemon Juice

Pour in the lemon juice and mix well. The lemon juice brightens up the whole sauce and balances out the sweetness of the honey. When that lemon hits the hot pan, your kitchen is going to smell so good! This is the secret to a sauce that’s sweet but not too sweet — the lemon brings everything into perfect balance.

Adding Lemon Juice to Skillet for Honey Glazed Salmon

Step 6: Cook the Salmon

Add the salmon steaks to the pan skin side down, then season with your salt. Allow the salmon to cook on medium heat for four minutes, and here’s the important part — baste frequently! Use a spoon to scoop up that beautiful honey butter sauce and pour it right over the top of the salmon. This keeps the fish moist and builds up layers of that incredible glaze.

Step 7: Broil to Perfection

After four minutes on the stovetop, transfer the entire skillet to the oven and continue cooking under the broiler for approximately 5 minutes. The broiler is going to caramelize that honey glaze on top of the salmon and give it a beautiful finish. Keep an eye on it — you want it golden and gorgeous, not burned!

Broiling Honey Glazed Salmon in the Oven

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

After 5 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven (be careful — that handle is HOT!) and garnish with fresh parsley. Your honey glazed salmon is ready to serve! Plate it up, spoon some of that extra sauce from the pan over the top, and get ready for the compliments to start rolling in!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH HONEY GLAZED SALMON

This honey glazed salmon pairs beautifully with so many sides! Roasted brussels sprouts are my personal favorite — they get all crispy and caramelized and are the perfect complement to the sweet glaze. Steamed or roasted asparagus adds a fresh, green element that makes the plate look beautiful. A crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette keeps things fresh and balanced. Garlic mashed potatoes or rice pilaf are great if you want something more filling. And don’t forget a nice piece of crusty bread to soak up that incredible honey butter sauce from the pan!

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. The honey glaze may thicken up as it cools, but it will loosen right back up when you reheat it. Make sure to store the salmon with some of the sauce spooned over the top to keep it moist.

The best way to reheat salmon is in the oven at 275°F for about 10-15 minutes until it’s warmed through. Low and slow is the key here — you don’t want to overcook your salmon and dry it out. You can also reheat it gently on the stovetop in a skillet with a little extra butter over low heat. Please don’t microwave your salmon if you can help it — it can make the fish tough and dry, and nobody wants that!

Pro Tips

Don’t skip browning the butter! That golden-brown butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that regular melted butter just can’t match. It’s the secret weapon of this recipe.
Baste, baste, baste! Frequently spooning that honey butter sauce over the salmon while it cooks is what gives you those incredible layers of flavor and that beautiful glaze.
Keep a close eye on the broiler — it can go from perfectly caramelized to burned in a matter of seconds. Stay near the oven during those 5 minutes!
Use a cast-iron skillet if you have one — it goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly and holds heat beautifully for an even cook on your salmon.
Fresh salmon makes all the difference! Whether you use Atlantic or Sockeye, make sure it’s fresh for the best flavor and texture.es all the differen

Can I use salmon fillets instead of salmon steaks?

Absolutely! Salmon fillets work just as well in this recipe. Just keep an eye on the cooking time since fillets can be thinner than steaks and may cook a bit faster. You want your salmon to be flaky and tender, not overcooked.

Can I use a regular skillet instead of cast iron?

You can use any oven-safe skillet for this recipe. The important thing is that it can go from stovetop to oven. Just make sure the handle is oven-safe — no plastic handles under the broiler! Cast iron is my top choice because it holds heat so well.

How do I know when the salmon is done?

Your salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145°F. The flesh should be opaque and the honey glaze on top should be beautifully caramelized from the broiler.

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

I always recommend using fresh salmon for the best results. If you only have frozen, make sure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Pat it dry with paper towels before adding it to the pan — excess moisture will prevent you from getting that beautiful sear.

Can I substitute the honey with something else?

You can use maple syrup or agave nectar as a substitute for honey. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious! Maple syrup gives it a warm, autumnal twist that’s really tasty with salmon.