Description
Honey pineapple salmon offers a tropical fusion of sweet and savory flavors. Pacific Northwest ingredients blend seamlessly with Hawaiian-inspired marinade, creating a quick weeknight dinner that delights palates and satisfies hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (6 oz / 170 g each)
- ½ cup (120 mL) pineapple juice
- ¼ cup (60 mL) honey
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ cup (100 g) diced fresh pineapple (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Glaze Preparation: Merge pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan, simmering over medium heat until the mixture reduces and thickens into a glossy, concentrated sauce.
- Salmon Preparation: Thoroughly dry salmon fillets with paper towels, then season with salt and pepper to enhance the fish’s natural flavors and create a perfect base for the glaze.
- Cooking Surface Setup: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high temperature, lightly coating with oil to prevent sticking and promote optimal caramelization.
- Initial Searing: Position salmon fillets skin-side down, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the skin transforms into a crisp, golden exterior.
- Finishing Touches: Flip salmon, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, generously brushing with the prepared glaze during the final moments to create a lustrous, flavor-packed coating.
- Serving Presentation: Transfer glazed salmon to plates, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top and garnishing with fresh herbs or toasted sesame seeds for a vibrant, textural finish.
Notes
- Master the Perfect Glaze Consistency: Simmer the sauce slowly, stirring frequently to prevent burning and achieve a silky, slightly thickened texture that clings beautifully to the salmon.
- Prevent Salmon Dryness: Don’t overcook the fish – aim for a translucent center with a golden exterior, which ensures moistness and prevents tough, rubbery texture.
- Optimize Skin Crispiness: Use a hot, well-oiled pan and resist moving the salmon during initial cooking to create a perfectly crisp, caramelized skin that adds delightful crunch.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative, or use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version that maintains the recipe’s vibrant flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg