Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach

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

Crispy-skinned salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and tangy honey-mustard sauce, served on a bed of garlicky sautéed spinach. This general-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 4 390 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp lemon juice to make the glaze; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes without moving, until skin is crisp and releases easily from the pan.
  4. Step 4: Flip salmon and brush each fillet with the honey-mustard glaze. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the salmon is just cooked through and glaze is sticky.
  5. Step 5: Remove salmon from pan and keep warm. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp butter (optional) and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Step 6: Add 8 cups fresh spinach and season lightly with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  7. Step 7: Serve salmon fillets on a bed of sautéed spinach, spooning any remaining glaze from the pan over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?

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-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach?

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-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Sautéed Spinach 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