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Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are so easy to make, and they take less than 20 minutes of your time! Seriously, they’re that quick. They’re perfect with rice, in veggie bowls, in tacos, and they’re a great addition to your weekly meal prep or for a quickie dinner!
These salmon bites are one of my weekly go-to’s when it comes to prepping for the week. I like to have these in the refrigerator at all times because they're an easy, versatile protein that goes with almost anything. In a tortilla? Yep. On a salad? Yep! With steamed rice? Sure does!
What makes this recipe awesome?
- It’s quick and easy! I know most recipes *say* they’re quick or easy, but this one actually is. Just 20 minutes, and minimal dishes to clean up after.
- It’s flavorful - even though it’s easy and the prep is pretty minimal, these are the tastiest little salmon bites ever!
- PERFECT for meal prep. Seriously, these are pretty versatile! They can be served with a rice bowl, on a salad, with some simple sides, and they reheat well!
- Kid friendly - as this recipe is written, it’s not spicy, saucy, or anything that would be off-putting to a picky eater (i’m looking at the toddlers!)
Ingredients + substitutions
- Salmon - I like to use skin-on wild-caught salmon, but any salmon will work here!
- Garlic - peeled and minced. Fresh garlic is best but you can use the stuff in the jars as well to make things easier and quicker.
- Low sodium soy sauce - I like to use low sodium soy sauce, because I don’t like my salmon terribly salty. Plus, we’re going for that salty/sweet balance, here. If you don’t have low sodium soy sauce, perhaps cut the amount in half and use more if you need it.
- Honey - for sweetness. Honey will also help the salmon develop nice caramelized edges.
- Water - you could also use broth or white wine in place of the water.
- Brown sugar - for more sweetness, caramelization, and flavor.
- Rice vinegar - for tanginess and a touch of acidity.
- Garlic powder - yep, you read that right. We’re using garlic powder in addition to the minced garlic. Garlic powder will add more garlick-y flavor.
- Oregano - for flavor.
- Pepper - pepper everything, always. There’s not many savory dishes that couldn’t benefit from a few twists of the pepper mill.
- Olive oil - for heating the pan, and to keep everything from sticking. If you don’t have or don’t like to use olive oil, any neutral-tasting oil will do.
Step-by-step
STEP 1: Add the salmon, garlic, low sodium soy sauce, honey, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper to a bowl.
STEP 2: Toss all of the ingredients together. Set the bowl aside.
STEP 3: Drizzle olive oil into a pan over medium-high heat. Toss the salmon bites (and any liquid) into the pan.
STEP 4: Saute the salmon until most of the marinade is absorbed and the salmon begins to caramelize. Cut one in half, be sure it’s cooked all the way through.
Tips for cooking perfect salmon bites
- Check for doneness: Salmon is not best when overcooked! To ensure that it comes out perfect, try using the "flake" test. Gently insert a fork of whatever you're cooking with and give the salmon a twist. If it flakes easily, and appears opaque, then it's ready to go!
- Resting: before you dig in, give the salmon a minute to rest on the plate. Just like steak, it takes a minute to settle. If you drive right in after cooking, the moisture will draw out and you'll end up with dry salmon.
- Skin-down first: When cooking the salmon bites, if you're cooking skin-on salmon bites, then cook that side first. This helps protect the flesh from direct heat and allows the skin to crisp up nicely. Cook it most of the way through with the skin down and then flip it.
Variations
- Ginger Honey Garlic Salmon: add 1 tsp of freshly grated ginger.
- Sticky Honey Garlic Salmon: grab some store-bought honey garlic sauce and toss it with the cooked salmon bites.
- Spicy Honey Garlic Salmon: add 1 tbsp of sriracha and some red pepper flakes to increase the heat level.
What to serve with Honey Garlic Bites?
- A store-bought bagged salad, if you want to keep things super easy
- Steamed rice
- Grilled broccolini
- Sauteed vegetables
- These delicious Brussels sprouts
Or make one of these insanely good homemade salads:
FAQs
How to reheat Honey Garlic Salmon Bites?
In the oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Then place the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add a splash of water or broth to the pan. Allow them to warm up until they’re warmed through.
Air fryer: If at all possible this is the ideal way to reheat your salmon bites! Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F, then arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, checking often to be sure they’re not burning.
Skillet: Use a non-stick skillet over low heat to warm the salmon bites with a splash of water or broth. It helps to cover the skillet to avoid the salmon bites drying out!
Can you freeze Honey Garlic Salmon Bites?
Yes, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and then place them into a freezer safe container. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- sesame seeds and chopped green onions optional for garnish
Instructions
- Add the salmon, garlic, low sodium soy sauce, honey, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, and black pepper to a bowl.
- Toss all of the ingredients together. Set the bowl aside.
- Drizzle olive oil into a pan over medium-high heat. Toss the salmon bites (and any liquid) into the pan.
- Saute the salmon until most of the marinade is absorbed and the salmon begins to caramelize. Cut one in half, be sure it’s cooked all the way through.
- Optional step: garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Notes
- In the oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Then place the salmon bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet and add a splash of water or broth to the pan. Allow them to warm up until they’re warmed through.
- Air fryer: If at all possible this is the ideal way to reheat your salmon bites! Preheat your air fryer to 325 degrees F, then arrange the salmon bites in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, checking often to be sure they’re not burning.
- Skillet: Use a non-stick skillet over low heat to warm the salmon bites with a splash of water or broth. It helps to cover the skillet to avoid the salmon bites drying out!
Yes, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and then place them into a freezer safe container. You can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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