Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice
Tender salmon fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, glazed with a sweet honey-garlic sauce and served over nutty sesame rice. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil and 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds; fluff with a fork.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 4: Flip the salmon and cook the flesh side for 3-4 minutes until just cooked through and opaque.
- Step 5: While salmon cooks, combine 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl.
- Step 6: Pour the honey-garlic glaze over the salmon during the last minute of cooking, spooning the sauce over the fillets until it thickens slightly and coats the fish.
- Step 7: Serve each salmon fillet over a bed of the sesame rice and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice?
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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice?
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-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice 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-Garlic Glaze and Sesame Rice?
Asian 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.
