Some weeknight dinners become complicated before you’ve even started cooking.

There are three pans on the stove, something needs to marinate for two hours, and halfway through the recipe you realize you’ve forgotten an ingredient.

This isn’t one of those dinners.

This honey garlic salmon is the kind of meal I like when dinner needs to feel like proper food without becoming the evening’s main project. The salmon and broccoli cook together, and the simple honey garlic glaze gives both plenty of flavor.

Add rice, potatoes, or a salad if you want something extra. Otherwise, dinner is already sitting on one pan.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 25 minutes
• Made on one sheet pan
• High in protein
• Uses simple ingredients
• Minimal cleanup
• Sweet and savory
• Easy enough for busy weeknights
• Family-friendly

Ingredients

Salmon and Vegetables

• 4 salmon fillets, about 5–6 ounces each
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Honey Garlic Glaze

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Freshly ground black pepper

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley
• Green onions
• Sesame seeds
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Start the broccoli

Place the broccoli florets on the sheet pan.

Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and black pepper.

Roast for approximately 8 minutes.

Giving the broccoli a head start helps it become tender at roughly the same time as the salmon.

3. Make the glaze

While the broccoli starts roasting, combine the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Whisk until smooth.

4. Add the salmon

Remove the sheet pan from the oven and move the broccoli slightly toward the sides.

Place the salmon fillets in the center.

Brush a generous layer of honey garlic glaze over each fillet.

Toss the broccoli lightly with a small amount of the glaze as well.

5. Roast

Return the pan to the oven.

Cook for another 10–12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

The salmon should flake easily with a fork.

For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

6. Finish

Brush the salmon with a little of the glaze from the pan.

Finish with parsley, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or fresh lemon.

Serve immediately.

Sarah’s Tip

Give the broccoli a head start.

Salmon cooks quickly. If you put raw broccoli and salmon into the oven at exactly the same time, you can end up choosing between undercooked broccoli and overcooked fish.

Those first eight minutes solve the problem.

Make It Family-Friendly

If you’re serving children, you can reduce the garlic slightly or leave the glaze off one salmon fillet.

The honey gives the sauce enough sweetness that this can also be a useful way to introduce salmon to someone who normally isn’t enthusiastic about fish.

What to Serve With It

Try:

• Brown rice
• Quinoa
• Roasted baby potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Couscous
• Green salad

Or simply serve the salmon and broccoli as they are for a lighter dinner.

Storage

Store cooked salmon and broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently so the salmon doesn’t dry out.

Can I Use Frozen Salmon?

Yes, but thaw it completely first.

Pat the fillets dry before adding the glaze. Excess moisture can prevent the glaze from sticking properly and can make the salmon steam rather than roast.

FAQ