This honey garlic butter salmon is the tastiest salmon dish you will ever eat! The salmon is basted in the most delicious butter sauce, making sure every crack and crevice of the salmon is coated in flavour. This dish will be ready in under 10 minutes and will have you making salmon like a professional chef.

Honey garlic butter salmon

Just like many of my recipes, this is such a simple yet tasty meal! To be honest, when I was developing this recipe, I was hoping to cook the salmon on a sheet pan and broil it under the grill but as fate would have it, my broiler broke that day! Which led me to pan searing the salmon and basting it in all of that delicious honey garlic butter sauce. It turned out incredibly delicious and has become such a favourite mid week dinner of mine as it’s ready in under 10 minutes. It’s also a great recipe to turn to in those hotter months as we don’t need to be running any hot ovens!

By basting the salmon, a little professional chef hack, we are making sure that every crack and crevice of the salmon is coated in so much flavour. Just as you would cook a delicious steak, we pan sear the salmon until golden brown and then finish it off with a good little butter bubble bath.

I also give you specific sear and baste times so your salmon is perfectly cooked and not overdone.

What you need for this honey garlic butter salmon

We only need a handful of ingredients for this honey garlic butter salmon recipe!

Salmon fillets: Skinless salmon fillets are preferred in this recipe as the skin will just become soggy if it is cooked with the salmon. If you can only find skin on salmon fillets, you can remove the skin, pat it dry with absorbent paper, season with salt and fry in lots of olive oil on a high heat to get it nice and crispy. I like to eat these as chips! I will provide more details in the recipe notes.

Garlic: It wouldn’t be a garlic butter sauce, or a recipe of mine, without garlic! Like many of my recipes, I have used garlic confit for the garlic component. However, garlic confit can be time consuming to make and if you don’t have the time or a big jar already stored in your fridge then you can absolutely use fresh garlic cloves. If using raw garlic cloves, make sure you slice them as opposed to mincing them or they will burn when you cook the salmon. Use up to 6 fresh garlic cloves.

Butter: Again, another obvious ingredient in this garlic butter salmon recipe! I always like to use unsalted butter when cooking but salted butter will work just fine as well! If using salted, just make sure you don’t over season your dish.

Olive oil: You may be wondering why I am using butter and olive oil but I always like to pan sear in oil as it won’t burn like butter can. I have used an extra virgin olive oil to pan sear the salmon fillets and to also make the garlic confit.

Honey: The honey makes a beautiful glaze on the salmon and also provides a lovely sweetness to the sauce.

Lemon juice: A big squeeze of fresh lemon juice will really balance all of those rich flavours in the sauce.

Fresh parsley: Fresh herbs scattered over at the end will really brighten this dish. You can use any fresh herbs from fresh parsley and thyme to even some fresh basil leaves.

Salt and pepper: Is needed for a little seasoning and to really elevate all the flavours. Using kosher salt can help control the saltiness, especially when using salted butter.

How to make honey garlic butter salmon

This dish comes together so quickly – it’s a bit of a blink and you will miss it! Follow my tips below for perfectly cooked salmon. This is one of the easy salmon recipes that can be prepared quickly and with minimal cleanup.

Season salmon fillets: Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.

Cook the salmon fillets: In a large pan on a medium – high heat, bring the olive oil to heat. Place the salmon into the pan and cook for 3 minutes on one side until golden brown for medium rare. Turn the salmon over and cook for an additional 1 minute. Remove the salmon fillets from the pan.

Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same pan, add the butter and garlic confit. Stir through until the butter is melted and foaming. Add the honey and lemon juice to the pan and stir through. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes or until the sauce has slightly thickened.

Baste: Turn the heat to low and add the salmon fillets back to the pan. Tilt the pan and scoop up the garlic butter sauce with a spoon. Baste the salmon fillets with the sauce for 1 1/2 minutes for medium rare salmon. The salmon should have an internal temperature of 50°C/122°F for medium rare.

Garnish and rest: Sprinkle over the parsley and leave the salmon to rest for 3 minutes before serving.

What goes well with garlic butter salmon?

This is such a rich dish that is full of so much flavour that I like to serve it with some really bright, vibrant and fresh side dishes. A simple green salad, bed of baby spinach or even some rice or freshly baked bread will work well as a side dish to this recipe. Check out some other options below:

• Bruschetta
• Garlicky green beans
• Fresh & Refreshing Tabouli (Tabbouleh) Recipe
• Roasted Duck Fat & Garlic Potatoes

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Garlic butter salmon is not only a delight for your taste buds but also a powerhouse of nutrition. Here are some key health benefits:

High in Protein: Salmon is an excellent source of protein, making it an ideal choice for those looking to increase their protein intake. A single serving of salmon fillet provides a substantial amount of this essential nutrient.

Rich in Omega-3s: Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation and improve heart health. These healthy fats are crucial for maintaining overall well-being.

Low in Calories: A 3-ounce serving of salmon contains only about 180 calories, making it a great option for those watching their weight without compromising on flavor.

Vitamins and Minerals: Salmon is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B12 and D, selenium, and potassium. These nutrients play vital roles in maintaining energy levels, bone health, and immune function.

Watch how to make garlic butter salmon

Watch how to make this simple recipe that packs a flavour punch!

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Images by Alanna Penna Photography