Honey-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus
Seared salmon fillets brushed with honey and garlic butter, served alongside tender asparagus spears. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, honey, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and salmon is halfway cooked. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes.
- Step 3: While salmon cooks, combine 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until butter melts and mixture is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Brush the honey garlic butter generously over the salmon fillets during the last minute of cooking, allowing glaze to caramelize slightly.
- Step 5: In a separate pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 lb trimmed fresh asparagus spears and sauté for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp and lightly browned.
- Step 6: Serve glazed salmon fillets with sautéed asparagus on the side, spooning any remaining honey garlic butter over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus 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-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus?
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-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus?
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-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus 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.
What goes well with Honey-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Butter and Asparagus?
General seafood 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.