Honey Pineapple Glazed Salmon: A Tropical Twist

Finding ourselves stuck in a routine of the same old midweek meals is something we can all relate to. Are you longing for a dish that’s simple, healthy, and packed with exciting flavours? We certainly have, which is why we’re delighted to introduce a recipe that promises to whisk you away to a sunny paradise: our incredible Honey Pineapple Glazed Salmon.

This recipe is our favourite antidote to uninspired dinners. It beautifully marries succulent, flaky salmon with a delectably sticky and tangy glaze crafted from honey and pineapple juice. You can create this restaurant-worthy meal in around half an hour, making it a superb choice for busy weeknights. No matter how you choose to cook it—baked, grilled, or pan-seared—it’s a guaranteed success that the entire family will enjoy. If you appreciate straightforward sweet and savoury dishes, we think you’ll also fall in love with our Baked Honey Dijon Chicken Recipe.

Why You’ll Adore This Recipe

• A Tropical Escape on a Plate: The wonderful blend of sweet pineapple, golden honey, and savoury soy sauce creates a truly irresistible glaze that enhances the salmon’s rich flavour. It’s a delightful lift for your spirits!
• Ready in a Flash: From preparation to serving, this entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes. The glaze simmers away in a small saucepan while the salmon bakes to perfection.
• Wholesome and Delicious: Salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are fantastic for heart health. This dish proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavour for nutrition. You can discover more about the benefits of oily fish from the NHS.
• Simply Gorgeous Presentation: The gleaming glaze and caramelised pineapple pieces give this dish a professional finish, making it look as though it’s been served in a top restaurant. It’s ideal for impressing guests or just for making an ordinary evening feel special.
• Flexible Cooking Options: While we adore the simplicity of baking, this salmon is equally delicious cooked on the barbecue or pan-seared for that perfect crispy skin.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 150g each), skin on or off
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 200g fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander or spring onions, for garnish
• 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish
• 120ml pineapple juice (fresh or from a tin)
• 80ml runny honey
• 60ml light soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (to make a slurry)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

How to Make Honey Pineapple Glazed Salmon

We believe baking is the most straightforward and dependable way to prepare this dish, guaranteeing beautifully moist salmon every time. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect outcome.

1. Get the Oven Ready: To begin, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / 400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Create the Glaze: In a small saucepan, pour in the pineapple juice, honey, and soy sauce. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the optional red pepper flakes. Whisk all the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over a medium heat.
3. Thicken the Sauce: As the glaze is simmering, gently pour in the cornflour slurry, whisking all the time. Allow it to cook for another minute or two, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Take it off the heat and put it to one side. Remember, it will thicken further as it cools, so don’t let it get too thick.
4. Prepare the Fish: Using a paper towel, pat the salmon fillets until they are completely dry. This simple step helps the glaze to stick and ensures the fish cooks evenly. Arrange the fillets in your prepared baking dish, ensuring there’s a small gap between them. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Glaze and Pop in the Oven: Using a spoon or a brush, cover the salmon fillets with about half of the honey pineapple glaze, making sure they are well coated. Scatter the fresh pineapple chunks around the salmon in the dish. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
6. Add the Final Touch: After 10–12 minutes, take the dish out of the oven. Brush the rest of the glaze over the salmon. Place it back in the oven to bake for another 3–5 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and separates easily with a fork.
7. Garnish and Enjoy: Let the salmon rest for a moment before you serve it. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander or spring onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. For extra flavour, spoon over any remaining glaze and the caramelised pineapple from the dish.

Baking, Grilling, or Pan-Searing? Your Choice!

Although our primary recipe centres on baking, this adaptable dish can be prepared in a number of ways. Each method yields a slightly different result, so we encourage you to experiment and find your favourite!

The Easiest Method: Baked Salmon with Fruit

Baking is our preferred method for good reason. It’s a largely hands-off approach that allows the salmon to cook gently, keeping it incredibly moist. This technique is ideal for a wonderful baked salmon with fruit, as the pineapple roasts beautifully alongside the fish, becoming soft and sweet. Simply follow our instructions above for a guaranteed success.

For a Smoky Flavour: Grilled Pineapple Salmon

In the warmer months, cooking this dish on the barbecue is a brilliant choice. Grilling adds a lovely smoky char that works wonders with the sweet glaze. To make grilled pineapple salmon, we suggest placing the fillets on a sheet of foil or a cedar plank to stop them from sticking and breaking apart. Grill over a medium-high heat for around 6–8 minutes on each side, brushing with the glaze in the final few minutes of cooking to stop it from burning.

For Crispy Skin: The Pan-Searing Method

If, like us, you adore crispy salmon skin, then pan-searing is the technique for you. Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and let it cook for 4–6 minutes until the skin is wonderfully golden and crisp. Flip the fillets over, turn down the heat, and pour the glaze into the frying pan. Allow it to bubble and thicken around the fish as it cooks for a final 3–4 minutes.

What to Serve with Your Tropical Salmon

This tropical salmon works harmoniously with a wide range of side dishes that complement its sweet and savoury flavours. Here are some of our top recommendations:

• Fluffy Rice: Coconut rice is a natural partner, but plain basmati or jasmine rice is also perfect for soaking up that delicious glaze.
• Quinoa: For a nutritious, protein-rich alternative, try serving the salmon on a bed of fluffy quinoa.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasting vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or bell peppers adds beautiful colour and a lovely texture to your meal.
• Fresh Salad: A simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette offers a crisp, refreshing contrast to the richness of the salmon.

Top Tips for the Perfect Sweet Glazed Salmon

To ensure your meal is a resounding success every single time, we recommend keeping these simple tips in mind. They are our secrets to creating the ultimate sweet glazed salmon.

• Avoid Overcooking the Salmon: This is the golden rule! Salmon cooks very quickly. The easiest way to check if it’s done is to see if it flakes easily with a fork. Dry salmon is a pity, so keep a watchful eye on it.
• Opt for Fresh Ginger and Garlic: While you can use dried versions if you must, fresh ginger and garlic will give your glaze a far more vibrant and aromatic flavour.
• Pat the Salmon Dry: We’ve already mentioned this in the instructions, but it truly makes a difference. Removing moisture from the surface of the fish helps it to cook more evenly and ensures the glaze clings properly.
• Save Some Glaze: We always like to hold some glaze back to brush over the salmon at the very end or to drizzle over it at the table. This gives it that beautiful, glossy restaurant-quality finish.

Salmon is a wonderfully healthy choice. For another light yet satisfying meal that is packed with flavour, we think you’ll also love our Lemon Garlic Chicken.

FAQ

A New Weeknight Favourite

We’re certain that this Honey Pineapple Glazed Salmon will soon become a firm favourite in your weekly meal plan. It delivers the perfect harmony of sweet, savoury, and tangy notes, all in a dish that is as simple to prepare as it is delightful to eat. It just goes to show that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make something truly memorable.

So, the next time you feel like adding a splash of sunshine to your dinner table, we hope you’ll give this recipe a try. We would be thrilled to hear how you get on! Please feel free to leave a comment below to let us know what you think or to share any of your own creative touches.

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 150g each), skin on or off
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 200g fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander or spring onions, for garnish
• 1 tsp sesame seeds, for garnish
• 120ml pineapple juice (fresh or from a tin)
• 80ml runny honey
• 60ml light soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (to make a slurry)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

Instructions

1. Get the Oven Ready: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C Fan / 400°F). Lightly grease a baking dish or line a baking tray with baking parchment.
2. Create the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and optional red pepper flakes. Whisk together and bring to a gentle simmer over a medium heat.
3. Thicken the Sauce: While simmering, pour in the cornflour slurry, whisking continuously. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and set aside.
4. Prepare the Fish: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with a paper towel. Arrange them in the prepared baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Glaze and Bake: Spoon or brush about half of the glaze over the salmon fillets. Scatter the pineapple chunks around the fish. Bake for 10–12 minutes.
6. Final Glaze: Remove the dish from the oven and brush the remaining glaze over the salmon. Return to the oven and bake for another 3–5 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
7. Garnish and Serve: Let the salmon rest for a moment. Garnish with chopped coriander or spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately, spooning any extra glaze from the dish over the top.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 465,
Carbs: 31 g,
Protein: 32 g,
Fat: 24 g