Name: Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets, 6 ounces each, skin on; 1 ½ tablespoons low sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard; 2 cloves garlic, minced

There's something wonderfully simple yet impressive about the **Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe**. The gentle sweetness paired with savory soy and a hint of mustard creates a flavorful glaze that turns ordinary salmon into a dinner you’ll want to make again and again.

Four long rectangular pieces of cooked salmon with a shiny, thick, brown sauce covering all around them, placed side by side in a clear glass rectangular dish lined with light brown parchment paper. Small green herb bits are sprinkled on top of the salmon. The sauce has a slightly sticky texture with visible bits of garlic or seeds. The dish is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore how effortlessly this baked salmon comes together—perfect for busy weeknights but elegant enough when friends pop over. The honey soy glaze adds a perfect balance of sweet and umami, elevating your salmon without any fancy techniques.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, making this a stress-free go-to.
Quick Prep and Bake: Ready in about 30 minutes, perfect when time is tight but you still want something homemade.
Customizable Flavor: You can tweak the glaze to be sweeter, tangier, or more garlicky depending on your mood.
Healthy and Delicious: Salmon’s packed with omega-3s, and this glaze lets its natural flavor shine without heavy sauces.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This glaze is such a winning combo because the salty soy sauce perfectly balances the honey's sweetness, while the mustard adds a subtle tang with a bit of depth. Fresh garlic amps up the aroma and flavor, making every bite satisfying. Here’s a quick breakdown of each ingredient’s magic:

Flat lay of four fresh salmon fillets with skin on arranged in a square, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of rich amber honey, a small white ceramic bowl of dark brown low sodium soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth pale yellow Dijon mustard, two whole garlic bulbs and two peeled garlic cloves, all placed symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Salmon Fillets: I always choose skin-on fillets for that extra crispiness and moisture retention during baking.
Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Keeps the dish from getting too salty while delivering savory depth.
Olive Oil: Helps the glaze coat the salmon evenly and keeps it moist.
Honey: Brings a natural sweetness and helps create that glossy, caramelized finish.
Dijon Mustard: Adds a gentle tang and richness that balances the sweet and salty flavors.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic gives the glaze a fragrant kick that brightens the whole dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to think of this recipe as a base canvas. Over time, I've played around with the glaze, sometimes adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for warmth or swapping the olive oil for toasted sesame oil to add a nutty twist. Feel free to personalize it to what makes you happiest!

Variation: Adding freshly chopped ginger to the glaze makes it zingier—one of my go-to tweaks when I want a bit of extra brightness.
Spicy Twist: A dash of Sriracha or chili flakes mixed into the glaze gives the salmon a nice kick without overwhelming the honey-soy balance.
Gluten-Free: Just swap in tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce, and you’re good to go without losing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe

The dish shows a piece of cooked salmon with a shiny, orange-brown sauce on top, garnished with small green herbs. The salmon is placed on the right side of a white plate with a thin, light brown rim. The salmon is partially sliced into thick pieces with a silver fork near the bottom center of the plate. On the left side of the plate, there is a bunch of bright green broccoli with a rough texture. The plate rests on a white marbled surface that reflects a soft light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Let Your Salmon Come to Room Temperature

Taking the salmon out of the fridge about 15-20 minutes before baking can make a surprising difference. It helps the fish cook evenly and prevents it from getting rubbery on the outside while staying underdone inside.

Step 2: Preheat & Prep Your Baking Dish

Preheat your oven to 400°F. I like to line a baking dish with parchment paper or foil to save on cleanup—trust me, this marinade can get sticky and caramelize beautifully, but you’ll want an easy clean afterward!

Step 3: Whisk Together the Honey Soy Glaze

In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and freshly minced garlic. Whisk it until the honey is well incorporated and the glaze looks glossy. This little bowl of magic is what makes this recipe shine.

Step 4: Coat & Bake Your Salmon

Place your salmon fillets skin side down in the baking dish. Brush half of the glaze over the salmon evenly, reserve the rest for later. Pop it in the oven for about 12 minutes.

Step 5: Glaze Again & Finish Baking

After 12 minutes, brush on the remaining glaze. Then bake it again for another 2 to 8 minutes depending on thickness and your preferred doneness. The salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork and has gorgeous caramelized edges.

Top Tip

From my experience, the glaze is the star here, so here are my handy tips to nail it every time:

Don't Skip Room Temp: Letting salmon warm up prevents uneven cooking and keeps it juicy.
Reserve Some Glaze: Brushing on the sauce halfway through baking boosts flavor layers and gives the salmon that glossy, sticky finish.
Watch the Bake Time: Start checking around 14 minutes, especially with thinner fillets, to avoid overcooking—salmon dries out fast!
Use Fresh Garlic: Fresh is best here; pre-minced garlic just doesn't deliver the same punch in this glaze.

How to Serve Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I always sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds on top right before serving. The green onions add a crisp freshness, and the sesame seeds bring a delicate crunch plus a lovely nutty aroma that complements the glaze beautifully.

Side Dishes

This salmon pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or quinoa to soak up extra glaze. Roasted veggies like broccoli or snap peas with a squeeze of lemon brighten the plate and add freshness alongside the rich glaze.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to place the glazed salmon on a bed of lightly dressed arugula and scatter pomegranate seeds over the top—makes it look like a restaurant dish and adds a pop of color and tartness that balances the glaze.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat it within 2 days. The glaze keeps the fish moist, but salmon can dry out quickly, so it's best enjoyed fresh.

Freezing

Freezing cooked salmon isn’t my favorite because the texture changes a bit, but if you do need to freeze it, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers without drying them out, I cover the salmon with foil and warm it in a 275°F oven for about 10 minutes. This slow gentle heat helps keep the glaze sticky and the fish moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes! Just thaw the salmon completely in the refrigerator overnight before using to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, both of which are naturally gluten-free and will keep the delicious flavor profile intact.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked perfectly?

Look for salmon that flakes easily with a fork but still retains some moisture. The FDA recommends 145°F internal temperature, but many prefer about 125-130°F and let it rest a few minutes for the best texture.

Can I use this glaze for other types of fish?

Definitely! This honey soy glaze works beautifully on other fishes like cod, trout, or even firm scallops. Just adjust baking time accordingly for different thicknesses.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Salmon with Honey Soy Glaze Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s just so reliable and delicious. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or impressing guests, this glaze never fails to deliver flavor and elegance without fuss. Give it a try—you might just find yourself reaching for salmon a little more often!