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Quick Honey Garlic Salmon Recipe with Perfect Roasted Asparagus in 20 Minutes

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A fast, simple, and delicious honey garlic salmon paired with perfectly roasted asparagus, ready in about 20 minutes. This recipe balances sweet honey and savory garlic for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each), skin-on or skinless
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 1 lb / 450 g), woody ends trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons honey (preferably raw or organic)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling asparagus
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnishes: chopped parsley or sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus stalks by snapping them near the base. Lay them out on one side of the baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sprinkling with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice until combined. Optionally, gently heat the sauce in a small pan for 1-2 minutes to warm it, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place salmon skin-side down (if skin-on) on the empty side of the baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Brush the honey garlic sauce generously over each salmon fillet. Reserve a little sauce for serving if desired.
  6. Roast everything in the oven for 12-15 minutes until asparagus is tender but crisp and salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  7. Optional: For extra caramelization, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or sesame seeds if desired. Spoon any remaining sauce over the salmon.

Notes

Pat salmon dry to help glaze stick and promote caramelization. Avoid over-glazing to prevent sogginess. Trim asparagus uniformly for even cooking. Use room temperature salmon for even cooking. Watch garlic carefully during broil to avoid bitterness. The recipe is forgiving if oven is not fully preheated. Sauce can be warmed gently before glazing. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of water or lemon juice to keep moist.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, roasted asparagus, quick dinner, healthy salmon recipe, weeknight meal, easy salmon recipe, honey garlic sauce, roasted vegetables