Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach Stir Fry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-seared salmon fillets glazed with a sticky honey-garlic sauce, served alongside a quick sesame-infused spinach stir fry for a nutritious dinner. This asian fusion-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, teaspoon salt, teaspoon black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 4 salmon fillets evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy.
  2. Step 2: Flip salmon and cook for 3 minutes on the other side. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return salmon to the skillet, spoon the honey-garlic glaze over each fillet, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the salmon is fully coated and glazed.
  5. Step 5: In a separate large wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Add 6 cups baby spinach and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still vibrant.
  6. Step 6: Season spinach with a pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, and optional 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Serve the glazed salmon atop the sesame spinach immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Spinach Stir Fry?

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 Spinach Stir Fry?

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 Spinach Stir Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

Is Honey-Garlic Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach Stir Fry gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes