The Best Honey Lemon Garlic Salmon

We have salmon for dinner about once every two weeks, and I had been wanting to throw together a marinade that was a little bit different than my usual go-to salmon recipe.

A little lemon juice and zest, a little honey (or maple syrup!), a little butter, salt, pepper and dijon and we’re set. Pour it over, bake it up and bite into lemon garlic buttery perfection.

My 1 year old son couldn’t get enough of this one, except we made it with maple syrup because he can’t have honey quite yet. He shoved it into his mouth, along with steamed buttered broccoli and delicious creamy coconut rice. Then next to me, Tony took a bite and exclaimed, “Oh WOW!”

One bite in, I knew this recipe absolutely had to make it on the blog for all of you. It’s delicious served with pesto pasta, creamy rice or a hearty salad. Lots of suggestions below! Enjoy.

Keys to the perfect salmon marinade

Let’s talk about this honey lemon garlic marinade magic. There are a few components to a marinade or glaze that make it perfect for adding to proteins like fish and other meats.

1. Fat from oil, butter or even a full fat yogurt.
2. Acid from different types of vinegars or citrus fruits.
3. Seasonings from spices and fresh or dried herbs.
4. Bonus: sweetness! I love adding a touch of sweetness to marinades & glazes to balance the flavors.

Everything you’ll need to make lemon garlic salmon

The best part about this delicious lemon garlic salmon recipe is how such simple ingredients can create such amazing flavors. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:

• Wild or Farmed Salmon: you’ll need 1 pound of salmon in this recipe. You can choose wild or farmed, it’s up to you. Farm-raised salmon tends to be milder in flavor and more fatty/buttery in texture, while on the other hand wild salmon can be a little more spendy, but is leaner, more pink, and higher in minerals such zinc and iron. Both are delicious!
• Butter: using a fat in the lemon honey garlic marinade is key. I love the savory flavor that butter adds.
• Sweetener: as I mentioned, I love adding a little sweetness to glazes and marinades. In this recipe I used honey, but you can use maple syrup instead if you prefer.
• Zing: yes, we’re adding some “zing” with the acidity from fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and a little tang from grainy dijon mustard. This takes it to the next level, trust me!
• Seasonings: you’ll also mix in garlic (fresh cloves or garlic powder) and plenty of salt and pepper.

How to cook the perfect salmon in the oven

I absolutely love cooking salmon in the oven so that it’s moist, flavorful and stays together well. Here’s exactly how to bake this lemon garlic salmon so it comes out perfectly every time:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Generously season your salmon with the amazing lemon garlic honey marinade.
3. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and grease lightly with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.
4. Place salmon skin side down on baking sheet. Pour/brush marinade over the top of the salmon.
5. For every inch of thickness, bake for 15 minutes. My salmon is usually perfect around 16-18 minutes. Flake salmon with a fork and serve!

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to undercook rather than overcook your salmon so that it does not dry out.

How to grill salmon

This easy lemon garlic salmon recipe would be perfect for grilling, too! If you’re someone who grills all year round (or lives in a warm place – jealous) here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Preheat a gas grill over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, pour or generously brush the lemon garlic honey marinade over the salmon.
2. Place salmon skin side down first on grill or on foil (to seal in the flavors!) close grill lid and grill about 6-8 minutes. It’s easier to grill skin side down first so you can slide a spatula under the skin for flipping once it crisps up.
3. Carefully flip salmon and cook 6-8 more minutes or until cooked well. Salmon is tricky, but just like baking it, it’s best to undercook rather than overcook your filets.

What to serve with this lemon garlic salmon

This easy lemon garlic salmon is perfect for serving with any of your favorite salads, side dishes or even pasta dishes. We love it with broccoli and coconut rice, but here are some other of my favs:

How to store leftover salmon

If you happen to have salmon leftover, simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Call me crazy, but I actually love leftover salmon with scrambled eggs. Try it in breakfast tacos or a breakfast quesadilla like this one!

See how to make the lemon garlic salmon

I hope you love this easy honey lemon garlic salmon recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats