These Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a weeknight dinner winner! Tender cubes of salmon are seasoned, pan-fried to crispy perfection, and then tossed in a sticky-sweet and savory honey garlic sauce. I love how this recipe is both quick and easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor. It’s a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a weekend treat. Get ready for a salmon dish that will have you coming back for more!
Why You’ll Love These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Crispy and Delicious: Pan-frying the salmon creates a beautiful golden-brown crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky.
- Flavorful Honey Garlic Sauce: The combination of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger creates a sweet, savory, and slightly tangy sauce that’s irresistible.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthy: Salmon is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Versatile: Serve them over rice, noodles, or salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious salmon bites. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Salmon and Seasoning
- Salmon, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes (Fish)
- Paprika (Spice)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Onion powder (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Ground black pepper (Spice)
- Olive oil (Oil)
Honey Garlic Sauce
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
- Ginger, grated (Aromatic)
- Soy sauce (Condiment)
- Rice vinegar (Acid)
- Honey (Sweetener)
Garnish
- Sesame Seeds
- Chopped Chives
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Add Vegetables: Serve the salmon bites over a bed of stir-fried vegetables, like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas.
- Use a Different Fish: Try this recipe with cod, tuna, or even shrimp.
- Add Sesame Oil: Add a teaspoon of sesame oil to the sauce for a nutty flavor.
- Lemon: Add Lemon zest
How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites:
Prepare the Salmon
- I pat the salmon cubes dry with a paper towel. This helps them brown nicely.
- I season them with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- I pour about a tablespoon of oil over the salmon and massage the cubes to ensure they are evenly coated.
Cook the Salmon
- I heat a heavy skillet with a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.
- I add the salmon cubes in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping them often, until they’re crispy and golden brown. I work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- I transfer the cooked crispy salmon cubes to a plate.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce
- To the same skillet, I add the remaining oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- I sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
- I stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.
- I simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
Combine and Serve
- I transfer the crispy salmon back to the skillet and toss it well with the sauce.
- I check for seasonings and adjust as needed.
- I serve the salmon bites immediately over rice.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Salmon Bites
Here are my secrets for making these salmon bites truly exceptional:
- Pat the Salmon Dry: Removing excess moisture from the salmon helps it brown and crisp up in the skillet.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the salmon in batches ensures it gets crispy instead of steaming.
- Use a Heavy Skillet: A heavy skillet, like cast iron, provides even heat distribution and helps to create a nice sear on the salmon.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of honey to your liking.
How to Serve
These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are delicious served with:
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice are all great options.
- Noodles: Serve them over your favorite noodles, like soba or udon.
- Salad: Add them to a salad for a protein-packed and flavorful meal.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can season the salmon ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover cooked salmon bites can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.
FAQs about Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Can I use skin-on salmon?
- Yes, you can use skin-on salmon. Cook it skin-side down first for crispy skin.
- Can I bake the salmon instead of pan-frying it?
- Yes, you can bake the salmon at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
- What if I don’t have fresh ginger?
- You can use ground ginger, but fresh ginger has a more vibrant flavor. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for every teaspoon of fresh ginger.
Enjoy these Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites! They’re a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Focus Keyword: Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
PrintHoney Garlic Salmon Bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a quick, easy, and flavorful meal. Tender salmon cubes are seasoned, pan-fried until crispy, and then tossed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry with paper towels. This helps them brown properly.
- Season Salmon: In a medium bowl, combine the salmon cubes with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the salmon and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Cook Salmon (in Batches): Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron is ideal) over medium-high heat. Add half of the seasoned salmon cubes to the skillet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, turning the cubes frequently, until they are crispy, golden brown, and cooked through. Transfer the cooked salmon to a plate. Repeat with the remaining salmon, adding more oil to the skillet if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté over medium heat for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Sauce: Pour the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey into the skillet with the garlic and ginger. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Salmon and Sauce: Return all of the cooked salmon bites to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the salmon evenly with the honey garlic sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped chives (if using). Serve immediately over rice, quinoa, noodles, or with your favorite vegetables.
Notes
- Salmon: You can use any type of salmon fillet, but make sure to remove the skin before cubing it.
- Doneness: The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your salmon cubes. The salmon is cooked through when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temp of 145.
- Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Honey: Adjust the amount of honey to your preference.
- Serving Suggestions: These salmon bites are delicious served over rice, quinoa, noodles, or with a side of steamed vegetables. They also make a great appetizer.
- Storage: Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.