Hot Honey Salmon Recipe

Craving a flavorful twist to your dinner routine? Let me introduce you to a mouthwatering recipe that’s both sweet and spicy: Hot Honey Salmon . This dish is packed with savory spices, a tangy hint of lime, and the perfect drizzle of spicy honey to bring everything together. Whether you’re cooking for date night or a quick family dinner, this hot honey salmon recipe is sure to impress.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, you’ll need a few simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients. We’re using cubed salmon for maximum flavor in every bite!

Salmon Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs salmon (skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 tsp lime zest
• Hot honey (use spicy honey for a kick!)

Serve With:

• Jasmine rice, or any rice of your choice.

With these ingredients ready, you’ll be whipping up this sweet-spicy salmon dish in no time. Let me walk you through the preparation step-by-step. You’ll love how easy it is!

Kitchen Tools That Make the Process Easier:

• Baking sheet (lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup)
• Mixing bowl (to toss spices with salmon)
• Zester (to zest the lime)
• Broiler (for that perfect caramelized finish)

Prepping the Salmon

Now that we’ve gathered our ingredients, it’s time to dive into prepping the salmon. Here’s how we ensure that each bite is packed with flavor:

1. Preheat the Oven :
   Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is hot enough to cook the salmon evenly and quickly.
2. Prepare the Salmon :
   Remove any skin from the salmon and slice it into 1-inch cubes . This size allows the salmon to cook quickly while holding onto all the seasoning. Make sure your cubes are uniform for even cooking time!
3. Mix the Spices :
   In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder , and cayenne pepper . This spicy blend is what gives your salmon that bold, irresistible flavor.
4. Toss the Salmon :
   Place the salmon cubes into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the salmon. Then, sprinkle your spice mixture over the fish. Toss the salmon with your hands or a spatula, making sure each cube gets fully coated in the seasoning.

Remember, the olive oil helps ensure the seasoning sticks to the salmon while also keeping it moist as it bakes. You’re building layers of flavor with these initial steps!

Baking & Broiling the Salmon

Now that our salmon is prepped, it’s time to cook it to perfection! The oven will do most of the work, but we’ll add a quick broil at the end for that perfect crisp finish.

1. Arrange the Salmon :
   Take your parchment-lined baking sheet and place the seasoned salmon cubes on it. Ensure the cubes are spread out evenly and aren’t touching. This helps the salmon cook uniformly and gives it some room to crisp up slightly.
2. Bake the Salmon :
   Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and cook the salmon for 8-10 minutes . The cooking time will depend on how thick your salmon cubes are. You’ll know the salmon is cooked when it’s opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork.
3. Finish with a Quick Broil :
   For that golden, lightly crisp exterior, we’re going to finish the hot honey salmon off under the broiler. Set your broiler to high and broil the salmon for an additional 2 minutes . Keep a close eye during this step to ensure it doesn’t burn – you want a nice caramelized finish!

Adding the Final Touches

Now for the fun part—finishing off the salmon with some refreshing lime and that sweet, spicy kick from hot honey! This final step brings everything together for a burst of flavor in every bite.

1. Lime Zest and Juice :
   Once the salmon is out of the oven and broiler, sprinkle 2 teaspoons of lime zest over the salmon cubes. Then, squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the top. The lime adds a tangy brightness that balances out the richness of the salmon and the sweetness from the honey.
2. Drizzle with Hot Honey :
   Finally, drizzle a generous amount of hot honey over the warm salmon. The sweet and spicy flavors from the honey complement the savory spice rub on the fish perfectly. Adjust the amount of honey depending on how spicy you want it. If you love a good kick, go bold with that drizzle!
3. Serve Over Jasmine Rice :
   Pair the flavorful salmon with jasmine rice or the rice of your choice. The fluffy, slightly fragrant jasmine rice is an excellent base that soaks up all the zesty lime juice and spicy-sweet honey from the salmon. Add your favorite veggie side, like roasted broccoli or a simple green salad, to complete the meal.

Storing Leftovers:

Luckily, if you have any leftovers (though that’s doubtful!), you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in a microwave or lightly in a pan for the next day’s meal!

Conclusion

And there you have it—an easy-to-make Hot Honey Salmon that dazzles with its layers of flavor! The spicy rub, the vibrant lime zest, and the sticky-sweet hot honey create a dish that’s filling, flavorful, and impressive enough for any occasion. Best served with rice and a simple veggie side, it’s guaranteed to become a household favorite.

Enjoy your sweet and spicy salmon! 🍯🐟 If you tried this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out!