Hot Honey Salmon Recipe (Baked)

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Enjoy perfectly baked salmon brushed with a delectable hot honey glaze. Pair it with roasted broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or jasmine rice for a simple, healthy, and satisfying dinner.

Hot honey salmon on a white plate with broccoli.

Why You'll Love Hot Honey Salmon

If you love salmon as much as we do, you're in for a treat! Our go-to orange maple and honey mustard salmon recipes now have some serious competition from this incredible hot honey salmon. Picture perfectly roasted salmon glistening with a spicy-sweet honey glaze that has a hint of heat and a very subtle smokiness. Here are more reasons why this will become one of your favorite salmon recipes:

Quick and Easy: This easy dinner is designed for busy weeknights. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a delicious, healthy meal on the table in no time with a ton of flavor.
Healthy and Wholesome: Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, making it a nutritious choice. When paired with roasted vegetables, it's a well-rounded and satisfying meal.

Hot Honey Salmon Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make this hot honey salmon. See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Salmon: I prefer using wild-caught sockeye salmon fillets for this recipe; just remember to thaw them completely if they're frozen. If you have time, let the salmon sit out of the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This helps it heat more evenly.
Hot Honey: We love using Nature Nate’s Hot Honey - 100% Pure Honey Infused with Chili Peppers. Although hot is in the name, the spicy flavor is very mild. If you'd like to increase the heat level, I recommend adding ¼ teaspoon of red pepper chili falkes.
Butter: The unsalted butter is key to giving the honey sauce its rich flavor. You could also use ghee, but swapping the butter for olive oil is not recommended.
Spices & Aromatics: A blend of mined garlic, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt gives this spicy glaze the perfect depth of flavor.

Find the printable recipe card with full recipe instructions and measurements below.

How To Make Hot Honey Salmon

Here's an overview of how to make this recipe. For complete instructions, you can jump to the recipe card.

Seasoning salmon, making a hot honey glaze in a small bowl.

Step 1: Prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels, and season the top of the salmon with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced garlic, hot honey, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.

Salmon with hot honey on a parchment lined baking sheet, then fully baked on a plate.

Step 3: Apply the glaze to the salmon. Using a pastry brush, generously coat the salmon in the hot honey sauce.
Step 4: Bake. Place the salmon filets in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake in the oven at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. Broil for 1 minute to finish. Serve immediately. Season with fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or green onions for extra flavor if desired.

Storage

Storage: Cooked hot honey salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Any leftovers will make a delicious lunch the next day.
Reheating: Reheat the salmon in the microwave until warm.

Common Questions

What should I serve with hot honey salmon?

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or a medley of roasted veggies are classic and healthy pairings.

How do I know when the salmon is done cooking?

The most reliable way is to use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fillet. Cooking time will vary, depending on the size of the filet, but the USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for fully cooked salmon. The salmon should flake easily with a fork when gently pressed.

More Recipes You'll Love

I hope you love this hot honey salmon recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

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