Hot Honey Salmon is sweet, spicy, flaky, and packed with flavor. A simple blend of seasonings and a drizzle of hot honey creates the perfect balance of heat and sweetness, giving every bite a delicious hot honey kick and an extra kick of flavor.
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner, this hot honey glazed salmon is one of my favorite salmon recipes. Cooking salmon is easier than you think when you have the perfect recipe. Pair it with crisp vegetables, rice, or use the leftover fish to make salmon bowls the next day.
Be sure to try these Crispy Salmon Bites and this Bacon Wrapped Salmon for two other delicious salmon recipes.
When we were testing this recipe in our kitchen, it was an immediate favorite. Paul, our cooking day helper, and I were all fighting over it for lunch. We loved it and couldn't wait to share this with you.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and spicy hot honey glaze
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Healthy high-protein dinner (or lunch)
- Perfect for grilling season
- Simple ingredients
- Naturally gluten-free
Before You Get Started
- Pat the salmon dry before seasoning.
- If using a skin-on salmon fillet, cook skin side down.
- Allow the salmon to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before grilling.
- Preheat the grill before adding the fish.
- Use an instant-read thermometer for perfect doneness.
- Remove the salmon at 125-130°F and allow it to rest.
Ingredients
- Salmon - You'll need two salmon fillets. Wild salmon or farm-raised salmon filets both work well.
- Olive oil - Helps the seasonings stick to the fish.
- Lemon zest - Adds a fresh citrus flavor.
- Salt and black pepper - These complement the hot honey.
- Hot honey - The sweet and spicy glaze that makes this recipe special. You can use store-bought hot honey or make your own with a combination of red pepper flakes and honey.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Hot Honey Salmon
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Step One: Mix the olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Step Two: Spread the mixture over both salmon fillets. Place on the grill and cook until nearly done.
Step Three: Drizzle the hot honey sauce on top of the salmon. Continue grilling for another 1-2 minutes until the salmon reaches 125-130°F.
Step Four: Remove from the grill, rest for a few minutes, and serve. Add extra hot honey or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime juice before serving.
Top tip
Salmon continues cooking after it's removed from the grill. Pull it off at 125-130°F for moist, flaky salmon. The thickness of the fillet affects cooking time. Thicker salmon fillets may need an extra minute or two on the grill, while thinner pieces cook very quickly.
Substitutions
- Lime zest - Swap in lime for the lemon.
- Homemade hot honey - Simply mix crushed red pepper flakes into regular honey. You can vary the spiciness this way to make a dish the whole family will enjoy. My younger kids like it with mild honey.
- Melted butter - You can use melted butter in place of olive oil. The butter pairs well with the other flavors. Just know it will be a lot richer in flavor.
Variations
- Garlic Hot Honey Salmon – Add minced garlic cloves or garlic powder to the seasoning mixture.
- Butter Salmon – Replace the olive oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Traeger Hot Honey Salmon – Smoke on a pellet grill at 400°F until the fish flakes easily.
- Spicier Salmon – Add a little sambal oelek or your favorite stronger chili sauce to the hot honey for even more heat.
- Tangy Hot Honey Salmon – Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar to the hot honey glaze for a bright vinegar flavor that balances the sweetness.
See this Traeger Smoked Salmon for another delicious way to cook salmon. Or change it up and make Hot Honey Grilled Chicken.
Equipment
To make this hot honey salmon recipe, you'll want to have a hot grill, a small bowl, and tongs.
Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftovers are excellent in salmon bowls, salads, wraps, or sandwiches.
Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven to avoid drying out the fish.
Common Questions
White rice or brown rice, roasted broccoli, grilled zucchini, asparagus, green beans, garden salad, and cauliflower rice all pair well with this recipe.
Yes. Bake on a sheet pan or baking sheet at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Add the hot honey during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. You can broil it at the end for a minute or two if you like broiled fish.
For moist, flaky salmon, cook to an internal temperature of 125-130°F. The temperature will continue to rise slightly as it rests. I prefer my salmon a little more well done, so I will cook mine to 140°F.
Yes. Thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before seasoning and grilling. Removing excess moisture helps the seasonings stick.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Hot Honey Salmon
Ingredients
- 10 oz salmon two 5 oz filets
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon hot honey
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Combine the olive oil and seasonings.
- Pat the salmon dry. Spread the seasoning mixture on the salmon.
- Grill for 8 minutes.
- Drizzle with the hot honey.
- Grill an additional 2 minutes.
Nutrition
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