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Light & Easy Honey Garlic Salmon with Asparagus – Best 20-Min Meal

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A quick and easy honey garlic salmon with asparagus that comes together in under 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal features a sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the salmon, while the asparagus soaks up all the garlicky honey sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin on or off
  • 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed (about 1 pound)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (apple cider vinegar works in a pinch)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water (for thickening, optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted (for garnish)
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
  • Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients (5 minutes): Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Mince the garlic and mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Start the asparagus (3 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus in a single layer, season with a pinch of salt, and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until bright green and tender-crisp. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Sear the salmon (4-5 minutes): In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) and cook without moving them for 3-4 minutes until the edges look opaque and the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip carefully and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side until just cooked through.
  4. Make the glaze (2 minutes): Reduce the heat to medium-low. Push the salmon to one side of the pan and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the honey garlic sauce mixture and let it bubble gently for 1-2 minutes, spooning it over the salmon as it thickens. If desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 30 seconds.
  5. Bring it all together (1 minute): Return the asparagus to the pan, spooning some of the glaze over it. Let everything warm through together for about a minute.
  6. Finish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over everything just before serving.

Notes

Pat the salmon dry for a good sear. Don’t crowd the pan. Add garlic after reducing heat to prevent burning. Let the sauce thicken naturally or use cornstarch slurry. Use room temperature salmon for even cooking. Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, salmon with asparagus, quick salmon recipe, 20-minute meal, one-pan salmon, healthy salmon recipe, easy weeknight dinner

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