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This Honey Garlic Salmon in foil is the ultimate easy dinner for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends. Wrapped in foil and baked to perfection, it’s the kind of no-fuss meal that delivers big on flavor with hardly any cleanup.
A rich, salmon with honey and garlic sauce made with just four simple ingredients coats the salmon as it bakes, locking in moisture and flavor. Finish it under the broiler (or throw it on the grill) for those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges. This is hands down the BEST baked salmon recipe you’ll ever make!
What Makes This Honey Garlic Salmon Work
The beauty of this Honey Garlic Salmon is in its simplicity. With just a few everyday ingredientss, honey, garlic, butter, and soy sauces, you get a glossy, flavor-packed honey glazed salmon that seeps into every flakey bite of salmon. It’s sweet, savory, garlicky, and absolutely addictive.
Cooking the salmon in foil helps lock in all that buttery goodness while keeping the fish moist and tender. A quick broil at the end caramelizes the sauce, giving you that golden, crispy finish without overcooking the fish. Minimal prep, maximum payoffs—this is a keeper.
What Goes Into This Honey Garlic Salmon
This recipe keeps it simple with fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together to create a sticky, buttery glaze you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Here’s what you’ll need to make this irresistible Honey Garlic Salmon:
- Butter: The rich base of the sauce that melts into the salmon, keeping it tender and full of flavor.
- Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and helps caramelize the salmon for that golden finish.
- Garlic: Crushed cloves infuse the sauce with bold, savory depth that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Salmon: A whole side of salmon is ideal—it cooks evenly in foil and soaks up every drop of that honey garlic butter.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements
How To Make Honey Garlic Salmon
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Foil: Position a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with a large piece of foil, making sure it’s long enough to fold over and seal the salmon completely.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the honey, crushed garlic, and lemon juice, then whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Place Salmon on Tray: Lay the salmon fillet skin-side down on the prepared foil-lined tray. Pat it dry with a paper towel to help the sauce stick better.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the honey garlic butter sauce evenly over the salmon. Use a spoon or pastry brush to spread it out so the entire surface is coated.
- Season Generously: Sprinkle the salmon with salt and a pinch of cracked pepper. Add lemon slices on top or around the fish for extra flavor as it bakes.
- Wrap It Up: Fold the sides of the foil over the salmon, sealing the edges to create a closed packet. This helps trap moisture and keeps the butter from leaking.
- Bake the Salmon: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon and your desired doneness.
- Broil and Serve: Carefully open the foil (watch for steam) and broil the salmon for 2 to 3 minutes to caramelize the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon slices.
This Honey Garlic Salmon pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the extra sauce and let the fish shine. Fluffy mashed potatoes or a bowl of Cauliflower Fried Rice make perfect companions, giving you something to spoon that buttery glaze over.
For something green, go with garlic green beans or roasted asparagus for a crisp, fresh contrast. And if you’re after a lighter option, a lemony arugula salad rounds things out with brightness and bite. Whatever you choose, keep it simple—the salmon is the start here.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before baking so the sauce sticks well and the fish cooks evenl
Absolutely. Just adjust the baking time to about 10–12 minutes since fillets cook faster than a whole side.
Yes! Wrap the salmon in foil as directed and grill over medium heat for about 15 minutes, then open the foil to finish with a quick char.
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Honey Garlic Butter Salmon In Foil
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 4 cloves garlic large, crushed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed, juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 2 1/2 pound side of salmon
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch cracked pepper to taste – optional
- 4-5 lemon slices to serve
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with a large sheet of foil, making sure it’s long enough to wrap and seal the salmon fully.
- In a small saucepan over low-medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the honey, crushed garlic, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and fully combined, then remove from heat.
- Place the salmon fillet skin-side down on the foil-lined tray. Pat it dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and help the sauce adhere better.
- Pour the honey garlic butter evenly over the salmon. Use a spoon or brush to spread it across the surface. Season with salt, cracked pepper, and top with lemon slices for added flavor.
- Fold the foil over the salmon and crimp the edges to seal it into a packet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet and your preferred doneness.
Notes
- I use two sheets of foil when wrapping my salmon to ensure it completely wraps around the width of the fillet.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for dinner last night & it was so easy & oh so ono (delicious in Hawaiian)!!
I doubled up the sauce recipe & will try it on Shrimp…
Much Mahao (Thank you in Hawaiian) for sharing this ?
This was fantastic! We loved it. My husband grew up eating the same lemon pepper fish every week, which made him tired of eating fish, so I havent baked any for a long time. He loved this and said to make it again. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
So delicious! All 4 of my young kids (ages 2- 10) even enjoyed it and were asking for more!
Have you tried frozen salmon? I’m doing frozen one and I keep putting it back in the oven. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Frozen salmon would work as long as it is defrosted all the way. Hope that helps and you can make it soon!
Heat the oven to suggested temperature on the package cooks in the same amount of time (pretty much – depending on brand & place I guess in a sense); double check your package temp & time to confirm. Based on mine its 450 for 20 a 22 mins. Thus, I used the 450 temp and subtract 3 minutes from the 20 ensuring doneness turned it up to grill and let it caramelized and done!
Hi. Can I ask for the detailed recipe
Hi Claire, thank you for your comment! We had a frustrating technical issue that has just now been resolved and all recipes are showing once again. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. If you need any further help, please email us and we will assist you in any way we can. Thank you for your patience! XOXO
Wow! Wanted an easy honey style salmon for dinner. Tried this and it was perfect.
YAY! That is just what we like to hear! Thanks so much for sharing!
I added 1tbsp. Ginger to the glaze. So yummy!! Hubby loved it too!!
Yum! That sounds delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hope I didn’t miss someone already asking this in the previous comments but can you store the honey garlic butter to use for future meals. Would it keep in the fridge at all?
Hi Karina!
I just wanted to tell you that your pictures are fantastic! I get hungry just looking at the wonderful pictures you make..beautiful!
Best wishes for the New Year… Love what you do!
Michael..
I’ve made this now several times. It’s so easy and finger licking good. Will be in my recipe box and a regular dish I make!
Excellent, a definite keeper. Easy prep and cleanup in addition to delicious. I always appreciate a recipe that has few ingredients, simple preparation and palate pleasing results. What more could you ask for?