Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds
Pan-fried salmon fillets glazed with a sticky honey-garlic sauce and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. This seafood-inspired quick meals ready in about 18 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp sesame oil until combined.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Season 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) lightly with 1/4 tsp black pepper, then place skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the edges are crispy and the skin releases easily from the pan.
- Step 4: Flip the salmon and pour the honey-garlic sauce over the fillets. Cook for 3 more minutes, spooning the sauce over the salmon as it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Step 5: Remove salmon from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds evenly over the fillets, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (8 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Seeds?
Seafood quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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