Honey Glazed Salmon with Vegetables

This Honey Glazed Salmon with Vegetables is one of my favorite quick and easy meals. I almost always have fresh or frozen salmon so it is easy to throw together for a fast weeknight meal. It all cooks in foil like these Foil Baked Salmon with Asparagus and Healthy Shrimp Bake Foil Packets.

With the busy holiday season upon us, every day feels like I’ve run a marathon by bedtime. So, when dinner rolls around, I barely have enough energy to open up the fridge. Is anyone else feeling that way? I am counting down the days until the holidays are here for some rest and relaxation. Until then, I am constantly thinking about ways to make dinner quick and easy.

This honey glazed salmon dish is just that. Everything is cooked in one large piece of foil, which means no cleanup. The fish comes out delicious and flaky and there is minimal prep and only one bowl and baking dish to wash. This recipe uses a simple salmon glaze recipe of honey, olive oil, garlic, white wine vinegar, and thyme that creates tons of flavor without lots of added fat. The salmon is cooked as a whole piece with veggies underneath and on top.

It makes a great family-style meal for a special occasion and comes together in under 20 minutes. For smaller portions, like the one in the photo, you can also cook each individual piece of salmon in its own foil packet. I served mine with some frozen brown rice that I reheated and drizzled with the extra sauce from the baked honey salmon - yum.

How to Cook Honey Baked Salmon

A lot of people shy away from salmon because they’re afraid they might overcook the fish. The great thing about this baked honey glazed salmon recipe is that the vegetables in the foil pack release moisture during the cooking time, preventing the salmon from drying out in the oven. If you cook the whole salmon filet as a single piece, those who prefer their fish more rare can always take a cut from the middle while those who like their fish on the firmer side can select a piece from one of the ends. And if you want to separate the salmon into smaller portions, it still won’t dry out in its individual nest of veggies. The foil really makes cooking foolproof, but don’t forget to put packets in a baking dish in case of leaks. The last thing you want to do after dinner is clean burnt honey glaze from the inside of the oven.

Change It Up

This honey glazed salmon is also really versatile because you can vary the vegetables you include. So if you find a beautiful bunch of asparagus at the market, feel free to cut it up and throw it in the foil packet. The same goes for zucchini, green beans, or any number of other veggies. You may need to experiment with cooking times or even put some vegetables in the oven for a few extra minutes before adding the salmon, sauce, and quicker-cooking vegetables, but it’s really hard to go wrong as long as you keep an eye on the fish. If needed, you can always remove the fish from the foil if it’s cooked, reseal the packet, and pop it back in the oven until the vegetables are tender to your taste.

This salmon glaze recipe can also be used with other fish, tofu, or even with skinless chicken tenderloins. Once again, the only thing you might need to change is the cooking time. The flexibility of the honey salmon recipe really makes it ideal if you’re cooking for finicky friends or family members or folks with food allergies since you can make personalized packets with different vegetables and even switch up the protein.

Side Dish Suggestions for Honey Salmon

If you’re trying to cut carbs, this baked honey glazed salmon makes a satisfying meal on its own, but it tastes great over a bed of cauliflower rice that soaks up the extra glaze. Or, if you’ve got a few extra minutes, you could whip up a batch of simple Asian noodles by dropping some Chinese-style noodles in a pot of boiling water before draining and drying them and flash frying them with a little oil, fresh ginger, and chopped green onions. Put out some oyster sauce and soy sauce as condiments and your family will feel like they’re getting a take-out treat. You may also love this Lightened Up Panda Express Chow Mein.

Plan Ahead

This honey salmon recipe can also be cooked without vegetables to serve as the topper for a satisfying salad or as the centerpiece of a sandwich or wrap that could also include some light, crunchy slaw. And, if you find wild salmon on sale, you may want to bake one fillet with vegetables as a family dinner and bake a second salmon fillet without to use for weekday lunches. Really, this baked honey glazed salmon is so easy, versatile, and delicious that it could become one of you go to favorites year around.

Is Honey Salmon Healthy?

Salmon is an extremely healthy protein with Omega 3 fatty acids that are beneficial for heart and brain health. It also is a lean source of protein and contains lots of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, this dish packs in plenty of veggies and can be made with almost any vegetables you love. When it comes to the honey, it is a naturally occurring sweetener that is better for you than processed sugar. Just make sure to buy pure honey not a honey flavored syrup.