IRRESISTIBLE HONEY GARLIC SALMON BITES

Imagine tender, succulent salmon, glistening with a sticky-sweet and savory glaze that’s bursting with honey and garlic – that’s exactly what you get with these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites! These bite-sized morsels are perfect as an appetizer, a quick weeknight dinner, or even a delightful lunch, and I promise you’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make, delivering a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

• 1.5 lbs salmon fillet, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Sauce:

• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

For Garnish (Optional):

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

What Makes These Salmon Bites So Good?

Okay, let’s talk about why you’re going to become obsessed with these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites. First off, they’re incredibly versatile. Need a quick appetizer for a party? Done. Craving a healthy and satisfying dinner? Check. Looking for something that even your picky eaters will devour? You got it!

The key is the combination of textures and flavors. You get the tenderness of perfectly cooked salmon, balanced with the sweet and savory punch of the honey garlic sauce. Plus, the optional sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions adds a touch of elegance and freshness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Salmon:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Alternatively, you can use a skillet on the stovetop for a quicker cook.
2. In a bowl, toss the salmon cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Make sure each piece is nicely coated.

Cook the Salmon:

1. Oven Method: Spread the salmon cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your salmon cubes.
2. Skillet Method: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon cubes and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly browned. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.

Make the Honey Garlic Sauce:

1. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry. This will help thicken the sauce.
3. In a saucepan, pour the honey garlic mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and whisk constantly until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Remove from heat.

Combine and Serve:

1. Once the salmon is cooked, immediately transfer it to the saucepan with the honey garlic sauce.
2. Gently toss the salmon bites in the sauce until they are evenly coated.
3. Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.

Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Choosing the Right Salmon:

The quality of your salmon matters. Look for fresh, firm salmon with a vibrant color. Sockeye or Coho salmon are excellent choices, but Atlantic salmon will also work well. Make sure to remove any pin bones before cutting the salmon into cubes.

Perfecting the Sauce:

The key to a great honey garlic sauce is balance. Adjust the amount of honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a bit more honey. If you want a tangier sauce, add a splash more rice vinegar. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

Don’t Overcook the Salmon:

Salmon can easily become dry and rubbery if overcooked. Keep a close eye on it while it’s cooking, and remove it from the heat as soon as it’s cooked through. It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.

Serving Suggestions:

These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are delicious served over rice, quinoa, or noodles. They also make a fantastic appetizer for parties and gatherings. For a complete meal, pair them with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

Variations and Substitutions

Spice it Up:

If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or a dash of sriracha. You can also use a spicy garlic chili paste for an extra kick.

Make it Gluten-Free:

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative that tastes very similar.

Add Some Veggies:

Toss some bite-sized broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snow peas in with the salmon before baking for a one-pan meal.

Alternative Sweeteners:

If you’re watching your sugar intake, you can substitute the honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Just be aware that the flavor will be slightly different.

Why This is a Perfect Low Effort Dinner Idea

Let’s be honest, sometimes you just need a quick and easy dinner solution. These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are the epitome of Low Effort Dinner Ideas! From start to finish, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Plus, the cleanup is a breeze. One pan, one bowl, and you’re done!

When it comes to Recipes For Dinner Seafood, this one is a winner because it’s fast, flavorful, and packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a great way to incorporate more seafood into your diet without spending hours in the kitchen.

Can You Use Salmon Recipes Raw for These Bites?

While this recipe calls for cooked salmon, it’s worth addressing the topic of Salmon Recipes Raw. In general, it is not recommended to consume raw salmon unless it is specifically sushi-grade and sourced from a reputable supplier. This is to minimize the risk of foodborne illness. For this recipe, cooking the salmon ensures that it is safe and delicious.

However, if you are using sushi-grade salmon, you could technically use a similar honey garlic marinade as a component of a poke bowl, for example. But for these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, cooking the salmon is the way to go!

Other Delicious Seafood Recipes to Try

If you love these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites, you might also enjoy some of these other fantastic seafood recipes. For something similar, but with a spicy kick, give these Bang Bang Salmon Bites a try. Or, if you’re in the mood for scallops, these Garlic Butter Baked Scallops are an absolute dream. And for a delicious twist on chicken, check out Honey Garlic Chicken and Honey Garlic Shrimp!

Making Cheap Tasty Meals with Salmon Bites

These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are a fantastic option for Cheap Tasty Meals. Salmon can sometimes be perceived as an expensive ingredient, but buying a larger fillet and portioning it out for this recipe can be more cost-effective than buying individual portions. Plus, the simple honey garlic sauce uses pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.

Pair these salmon bites with a side of rice and steamed vegetables for a complete and budget-friendly meal that’s both delicious and nutritious.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it – the ultimate recipe for Honey Garlic Salmon Bites! I truly believe this will become one of your go-to recipes for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or just a healthy and delicious way to enjoy salmon, these bites are guaranteed to satisfy. Happy cooking!

Irresistible Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Amelia Chen-Morrison

These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are tender, succulent pieces of salmon coated in a sticky-sweet and savory glaze. Perfect as an appetizer, quick weeknight dinner, or delightful lunch, they deliver restaurant-quality flavor in minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Asian-inspired

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Whisk
• saucepan
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Large Skillet (optional)
• Spatula or tongs
• Fork

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs salmon fillet, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce low sodium preferred
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated or 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Sesame seeds for garnish
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Alternatively, use a skillet on the stovetop.
• In a bowl, toss salmon cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring each piece is coated.
• For the oven method, spread salmon in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-12 minutes, until cooked through and flakes easily.
• For the skillet method, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon cubes and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through and slightly browned. Cook in batches if necessary.
• While salmon cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
• In a saucepan, pour the honey garlic mixture and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Add cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and whisk constantly until sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Once salmon is cooked, transfer it to the saucepan with the honey garlic sauce.
• Gently toss the salmon bites in the sauce until evenly coated.
• Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.

Notes

Adjust honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar in the sauce to your liking. Don’t overcook the salmon. Serve over rice, quinoa, or noodles. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.