Description
Succulent salmon meets tropical sweetness in this honey pineapple salmon recipe, merging Pacific Northwest flavors with island-inspired zest. Balanced marinades and quick searing create a luxurious main course that delivers restaurant-quality elegance you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces / 170 grams each)
Liquid and Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) pineapple juice
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Flavor Enhancers and Garnishes:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ cup (100 grams) diced fresh pineapple (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant glaze by combining pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Gently simmer the liquid mixture, stirring periodically, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce and slightly thicken for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the glaze from heat and let it rest, enabling the flavors to intensify while preparing the salmon.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect sear and optimal glaze absorption.
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper, creating a foundational flavor profile that complements the sweet and tangy glaze.
- Preheat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat, creating an ideal surface for achieving a golden, caramelized exterior on the fish.
- Lightly brush the cooking surface with oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets skin-side down, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the skin becomes crisp and golden.
- Gently flip the salmon and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the fish reaches desired doneness.
- Generously brush the reserved glaze over the salmon during the final minute of cooking, creating a glossy, flavorful coating.
- Transfer the glazed salmon to serving plates, drizzling any remaining sauce over the top for an extra burst of flavor.
- Garnish with fresh chopped herbs or toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Check pineapple juice sweetness and adjust honey accordingly for balanced flavor profile.
- Marinate salmon for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for more robust, authentic taste and aroma.
- Substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free and lower in sodium.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg