Irresistible Sweet Chili Garlic Salmon Recipe That Will Wow Your Taste Buds
Learn how to make delicious Sweet Chili Garlic Salmon. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin on or off depending on your preference
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce (look for one with real chili flakes and a good balance of sweetness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced finely
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (to deepen the sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (adds a bright note)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil (for searing)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped green onions or fresh cilantro
If you’re looking to switch things up, feel free to swap salmon for trout or even a firm white fish like cod. And if you don’t have sweet chili sauce on hand, mixing together a bit of chili paste with honey and a splash of rice vinegar can work in a pinch. But honestly, keeping this simple and true to the flavors always brings me back to that farmhouse kitchen, where Mama Lu taught me that the best dishes come from heartfelt simplicity.
Instructions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps the glaze stick and the fish to sear well.
- In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, minced garlic, soy sauce, honey, and lemon juice until well combined. This will be your glaze.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the salmon fillets skin-side down (if the skin is on), and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook the salmon for about 4-5 minutes without moving it. You’re looking for the skin to crisp up or the bottom to develop a nice golden crust.
- Carefully flip the fillets over, then immediately spoon the sweet chili garlic glaze over each piece.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, spooning more glaze on top occasionally. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
- Remove from heat and let rest for a minute or two. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if you like.
One of the things Mama Lu never said but showed me as we cooked together was that patience is just as important as technique. Letting the fish rest before serving lets those flavors settle in, just like letting a story breathe before sharing it at the dinner table.
Find it online: https://claracooking.com/sweet-chili-garlic-salmon/
