Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Asparagus
Tender pan-seared salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and tangy honey-balsamic reduction, served alongside roasted asparagus spears. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, honey 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 lb, trimmed fresh asparagus
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb trimmed fresh asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 12 minutes until tender and slightly crisp.
- Step 2: While asparagus roasts, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place salmon skin-side down and sear for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and opaque.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Plate salmon with roasted asparagus, drizzle the honey-balsamic glaze over salmon, and serve with lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Balsamic Glaze and Roasted Asparagus?
Mediterranean 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.
