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Home » Recipes » Salmon Recipes

Honey Butter Glazed Salmon

felice kaufman author bio
Modified: Mar 29, 2026 · by Felice Kaufman · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
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Learn how to make honey butter glazed salmon right on the stovetop. This easy fish recipe cooks in about 10 minutes and its glazed with a simple mix of butter, honey, garlic, soy sauce, and lemon. The sauce thickens in the pan and coats the salmon with a sweet, savory finish.

Honey-garlic glazed salmon on a white plate. The fillet is topped with a sauce and chopped parsley.
Jump to:
  • How To Cook Fish in Butter
  • Ingredients
  • Recipe
  • Storage and Reheating
  • Takeaway
  • More Delicious Fish Recipes
  • FAQ
  • Honey Butter Glazed Salmon

Honey butter glazed salmon cooks in about 10 minutes on the stovetop. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, and lemon, sear the salmon in butter then baste the salmon with the sauce. Fast, simple, and great for weeknight dinners.

Pair it with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad, and you have a complete meal in under 20 minutes.

ingredients for seared salmon: salmon, butter, soy sauce, lemon, salt, pepper, honey.

How To Cook Fish in Butter

I've had a few people ask for a salmon recipe made without oil, so here it is.

Salmon cooks well in a hot skillet with just salt, pepper, and butter. If you have an unscratched nonstick skillet, use it so nothing sticks.

If you're using stainless steel, cook the salmon in ghee instead of butter. Ghee is clarified butter with the milk solids removed, and those are what burn. Ghee can handle higher heat.

Once the salmon is done and you're making the glaze, switch back to regular butter. It adds the rich flavor you want in a honey-garlic glaze.

For the sauce, I added minced garlic, honey, half a lemon, and a little soy sauce. The sauce cooks down and becomes a glossy coating.

Ingredients

Note: I use low-sodium soy sauce for this dish. If you're using regular soy sauce, skip the salt on the salmon before cooking. You can season at the end if needed.

  • Salmon fillets about 6 oz each, with or without the skin
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Unsalted butter
  • Honey
  • Fresh garlic
  • Low sodium soy sauce (substitute gluten free tamari or coconut aminos)
  • Lemon
cooking glazed salmon in no stick pan

Recipe

Note: Use a tablespoon of ghee or oil instead of butter to cook the salmon in stainless steel. Use real butter when you make the glaze.

  • Remove the salmon from the refrigerator 15 minutes prior to cooking. Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
  • Lightly season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides. (Skip the salt if you have regular soy sauce.)
  • Combine honey, garlic, soy sauce and lemon juice in a small bowl.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Swirl to coat the pan.
  • Place salmon in the skillet, skin side down. Cook about 3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fish until just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
  • Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Pour in the sauce mixture. Simmer 1 minute, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
  • Return the salmon to the skillet, skin side down. Tilt the pan and spoon the sauce over the top of each fillet.
  • Plate the salmon and drizzle with any remaining sauce. Serve warm.

Storage and Reheating

Let the salmon cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat with a little butter. You can also microwave it in 30-second bursts, loosely covered.

Takeaway

Honey glazed salmon is one of the easiest ways to get dinner on the table fast. It cooks in a skillet in just a few minutes, and the glaze comes together right in the same pan.

Use a good nonstick skillet for best results. If you're using stainless steel, sear the salmon in ghee or a little oil so nothing burns or sticks.

Each serving has about 30 grams of protein. Butter gives the salmon a rich taste, helping it brown evenly while staying moist inside. The quick glaze adds a touch of sweetness that balances the richness.

This recipe is perfect for busy nights or anytime you want something easy that still feels special. Serve it with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or roasted purple sweet potatoes, and you've got a full meal in under 20 minutes.

Honey garlic glazed salmon on a plate with roasted purple sweet potatoes and a lemon wedge. A fork is pulling off a few flakes of salmon.

More Delicious Fish Recipes

  • Salmon Chowder
  • Salmon with Coconut Aminos
  • Oven Roasted Swordfish
  • Baked Tripletail with Basil Butter Sauce
  • Air Fryer Snapper with Old Bay and Veggies
  • Pan Seared Snapper Fillets
  • Mahi Mahi With Cream Sauce
  • Fish Omelette

FAQ

Can I use skinless salmon?

Yes. Skinless works just fine. Just handle it gently when flipping so it doesn't break apart.

How do you know when salmon is done?

Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and turns from translucent to opaque. For perfect salmon, the internal temperature should reach 125°F (52°C).

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce.

Can I use ghee instead of butter?

Yes. Use ghee if you're cooking the salmon in a stainless steel skillet. Ghee handles heat better and won't burn the way butter does. When you make the glaze, switch back to regular butter for the best flavor.

Honey-garlic glazed salmon on a white plate. The fillet is topped with a sauce and chopped parsley.

Honey Butter Glazed Salmon

Felice Kaufman
Honey butter glazed salmon is cooked in butter for a quick, high-protein dinner full of flavor. The fish is pan-seared until golden and finished with a sweet glaze made with butter, honey, lemon, and soy sauce. It's a simple stovetop recipe that comes together in about 15 minutes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 467.2 kcal

Ingredients
  

FOR THE SALMON

  • 2 salmon fillets about 6 oz each, skin on
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee

FOR THE SAUCE

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (1 large clove)
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, or gluten free tamari
  • juice of ½ lemon or 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Remove the salmon from the refrigerator 10 minutes prior to cooking. Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
  • Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Combine honey, garlic, soy sauce and lemon juice in a small bowl.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Swirl to coat the pan. If using stainless steel, see the note below.
  • Place salmon in the skillet, skin side down. Cook about 3 minutes per side, or until golden and just cooked through. Remove to a plate.
    cooking salmon in butter in a skillet.
  • Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Pour in the sauce mixture. Simmer 1 minute, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
  • Return the salmon to the skillet, skin side down. Tilt the pan and spoon the sauce over the top of each fillet.
  • Plate the salmon and drizzle with any remaining sauce. Serve warm.

Notes

For stainless steel pan: If you're cooking in a stainless steel skillet, use ghee or avocado oil instead of butter. Ghee can handle higher heat and won't burn the way butter does. Use regular butter only when making the glaze.
Storage and Reheating: Let the salmon cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat with a little butter. You can also microwave it in 30-second bursts, loosely covered.

Nutrition

Calories: 467.2kcalCarbohydrates: 18.7gProtein: 35.5gTotal Fat: 27.9gSaturated Fat: 12.5gCholesterol: 138.7mgSodium: 554.2mgPotassium: 911.3mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 17.3gNet Carbohydrates: 18.5g
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below & tag @cookinginthekeys on social!

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Felice Kaufman image

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Felice. I live in the Florida Keys and share easy recipes made with fresh seafood, steak, and seasonal vegetables. Everything is inspired by island life, simple, delicious, and made with real food.

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