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Honey Garlic Salmon with Quinoa Recipe

Honey Garlic Salmon with Quinoa Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 31 reviews

This Honey Garlic Salmon with Quinoa recipe combines perfectly cooked, flaky salmon glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce served over fluffy quinoa. This healthy, easy-to-make meal is packed with bold flavors, protein, and wholesome ingredients, making it perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The quinoa is lightly cooked and fluffy, providing the ideal base for the glossy, flavorful salmon fillets topped with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Quinoa

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth
  • Pinch of salt

For the Honey Garlic Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Salmon

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin on or off
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: garlic powder or paprika, to taste
  • For garnish: thinly sliced green onions
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh lemon or lime wedges (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh sieve to remove its bitter coating. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa, 2 cups of water or vegetable broth, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy with a visible germ ring. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
  2. Make the Honey Garlic Glaze: While the quinoa cooks, whisk together honey, low sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust the sweetness or saltiness to taste, ensuring the sauce is smooth and emulsified. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to help the glaze adhere and ensure a nice sear. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adding garlic powder or paprika if desired for extra flavor.
  4. Cook the Salmon: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange salmon fillets skin-side down if using skin-on, or skin-side up if skinless, on the sheet. Brush half of the honey garlic glaze evenly over the tops of the fillets.
  5. Bake the Salmon: Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes until cooked through and flakes easily, or reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Avoid overcooking to keep the salmon moist and tender.
  6. Glaze Again and Finish: Remove salmon from the oven and brush the remaining glaze over the fillets for extra shine and flavor. Optionally, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to caramelize the glaze, watching closely to prevent burning.
  7. Assemble and Serve: Plate the fluffy quinoa and place a glazed salmon fillet on top. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice before serving to enhance the freshness. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Rinsing quinoa thoroughly removes its natural bitterness caused by saponins.
  • Low sodium soy sauce keeps the salt content moderate in this dish.
  • Patting salmon dry helps achieve a better sear and glaze adherence.
  • Check salmon for doneness by internal temperature or flakiness to avoid overcooking.
  • Optional broiling adds a caramelized finish but watch closely to prevent burning.
  • Fresh lemon or lime juice brightens the flavors if you like a citrusy touch.
  • This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, quinoa recipe, healthy salmon dinner, baked salmon, honey garlic glaze, easy salmon recipe, nutritious dinner

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/honey-garlic-salmon-with-quinoa-recipe/