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

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Salmon fillets pan-seared to crisp perfection and glazed with a sweet honey-mustard sauce, served atop tender wilted spinach. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, salt, 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 General cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp.
  2. Step 2: Flip salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, cooking for 1 minute until glaze thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 6 cups baby spinach to the skillet and toss with 1 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 2 minutes until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  5. Step 5: Return salmon to the skillet, spoon honey-mustard glaze over the fillets, and serve immediately over the wilted spinach.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Wilted 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 Wilted 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Wilted 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 Wilted 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.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey-Mustard Glaze and Wilted Spinach?

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.

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