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Honey Mustard Salmon in Foil is the no-fuss way to get juicy, flaky salmon on the table fast. Wrap and bake, then peel back the foil for a glossy, caramelized finish and almost zero dishes to wash.
Sweet honey, tangy Dijon, a touch of lemon, and a little garlic butter make this honey mustard salmon recipe a family favorite. If you love Honey Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil, this salmon with honey and mustard will be right up your alley. Want a creamy twist? Whisk the pan juices with a splash of cream for a quick honey lemon mustard salmon sauce.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
You get juicy, flaky Honey Mustard Salmon with almost zero cleanup thanks to the foil wrap, plus a glossy glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The balance of sweet honey, tangy Dijon, lemon, and garlic butter makes this honey mustard salmon recipe taste special without any extra work.
It is weeknight fast yet dinner party worthy, and the sauce doubles as both glaze and drizzle for serving. You can keep it classic as salmon with honey and mustard, or brighten it into honey lemon mustard salmon with extra zest and a squeeze of juice.
What Goes Into Honey Mustard Salmon
A handful of pantry staples turn Honey Mustard Salmon into something glossy, juicy, and packed with flavor. Here are the stars that do most of the work.
- Salmon Fillet (2 1/2 pounds): A thick, even side stays moist in foil and flakes beautifully. Skin on helps protect the flesh as it bakes.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a lacquered finish, encouraging caramelized edges in the hot oven.
- Whole Grain + Dijon Mustard: The duo brings tang and depth. Whole grain adds texture while Dijon keeps the sauce smooth and balanced.
- Butter: Melts into a rich glaze that carries the garlic and ties the honey mustard together for a silky finish.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Honey Mustard Salmon
- Prep The Oven And Foil: Position a rack in the middle and preheat to 375°F | 190°C. Line a baking tray with a large sheet of foil, leaving enough overhang to fold and seal tightly.
- Make The Honey Mustard Butter: In a saucepan combine honey, whole grain mustard, Dijon, butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Whisk over low heat until smooth, then add chili or cayenne to taste.
- Arrange The Salmon: Place the 2 1/2 pound side of salmon on the lined tray, skin side down, and pat it dry. Check that the foil is long enough to fully wrap and seal the fish.
- Glaze And Season: Pour the warm sauce over the salmon and brush to coat evenly from end to end. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt and cracked pepper so the flavors pop.
- Seal And Bake: Fold the foil over the salmon and crimp to make a tight packet so no butter leaks. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, adjusting for thickness and preferred doneness.
- Broil And Serve: Open the foil carefully to release steam, then broil 3 to 4 minutes to caramelize the top. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
To make your Honey Mustard Salmon shine, pair it with sides that are unique but still balance its sweet and tangy glaze. Caprese Crostini with Grilled Avocado is a refreshing choice: crispy bread, creamy avocado, and juicy tomatoes bring brightness and texture that cut through the richness of the fish. Bruschetta Stuffed Avocados add another unexpected twist, with fresh tomato and basil tucked into buttery avocado halves for a colorful, flavor-packed bite.
For dessert, Maple Grilled Peaches with Almond Cookie Crumb are a natural fit. The caramelized peaches echo the honey in the glaze, while the almond topping adds nutty crunch and elegance. Together, these three dishes create a memorable balance of fresh, savory, and sweet that make your salmon dinner extra special.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, you can bake it directly in a greased dish or on parchment paper. Just keep an eye on the glaze so it doesn’t burn at the edges.
Yes, olive oil works for a lighter option. Butter, however, adds richness and helps the glaze caramelize.
Asparagus, broccoli, and green beans work beautifully because they balance the sweetness and tang of the glaze. Roasted root vegetables are another hearty choice.
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Honey Mustard Salmon In Foil
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup whole grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard smooth and mild
- 5 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne powder, optional – adjust to your tastes and spice preference
- 2 1/2 pund side of salmon
- 1 pinch salt to season
- 1 pinch cracked pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 4-5 lemon wedges optional
Instructions
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 375°F | 190°C. Line a baking tray / sheet with a large piece of foil, big enough to fold over and seal to create a packet (or 2 long pieces of foil over lapping each other lengthways to create your salmon packet, depending on the width of you fillet).
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, mustards, butter, garlic and lemon. Whisk until the honey has melted through the butter and the mixture is well combined.
- Place the salmon onto lined baking tray | sheet. Pour the butter/honey mixture over the salmon, and using a pastry brush or spoon, spread evenly over the salmon. Sprinkle with a good amount of salt (about 2 teaspoons) and cracked pepper. Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon to cover and completely seal the packet closed so the butter does not leak.
- Bake until cooked through (about 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish and your preference of doneness). Open the foil, being careful of any escaping steam, and grill / broil under the grill / broiler for 3-4 minutes on medium heat to caramelise the top. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
petarda! it means great!
I think this is a really good base recipe that my boyfriend and I plan on tweaking next time. We liked the flavor a lot – we just wanted more of it! 🙂 We’ll basically just use more of both mustards, honey, garlic, chili powder, and lemon juice next time. Paired it with corn on the cobb and white rice, which I added the fresh chopped parsley to. Thank you, Café Delites for the recipe! Definitely going to try more of yours now.
I’ve made the garlic butter salmon and it is wonderful! However, I need to make it without butter due to dietary needs of our guest. Would an olive oil substitution work ok? Or any other ideas so that I don’t lose that awesome flavor.
I made this and it was awesome. One thing, I added asparagus along the side of the salmon and brushed with the glaze. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
They all loved this recipe and I was really happy that this time the salmon tastes great not blend as I usually do! Will do it again!!
Hi,
my family and friends love the crispy garlic parmesan salmon! I want to try this one but don’t like using aluminum foil. Will it turn out good without the foil?