Description
A quick and flavorful 20-minute meal featuring salmon fillets seared in a skillet and glazed with a sweet, tangy, and spicy pineapple-soy reduction. This dish is versatile, healthy, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 oz salmon fillets per person (fresh or high-quality frozen)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice or crushed pineapple
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions for garnish
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides lightly with salt and black pepper. Optionally score the skin side with shallow cuts.
- In a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce the glaze for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in red pepper flakes if using.
- Heat oil in a large skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat.
- Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving to create a crispy skin.
- Flip the salmon carefully. Brush the top side generously with the reduced glaze.
- Cook for another 3-4 minutes, basting the top with more glaze every minute, until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from heat, spoon remaining glaze over the fish, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
Ensure salmon is at room temperature before cooking for even results. Do not overcrowd the pan to allow for proper searing. Watch the glaze closely as sugar burns quickly. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with glaze
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: salmon, pineapple glaze, quick dinner, healthy seafood, weeknight meal, keto friendly, low carb, easy recipe