Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are tender, flavorful salmon cubes cooked with a savory honey garlic sauce that adds a delightful sweetness and richness. These bites are easy to make and can be served with rice or veggies for a healthy and satisfying meal, making them a perfect option for busy weeknights or a special dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb salmon, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

• 1/4 cup honey

• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds

• 2 teaspoons chopped chives

Directions

1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry with a paper towel and season them with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and massage the seasoning into the salmon.

2. Pan-Sear the Salmon: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salmon cubes in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping them often until crispy and golden. Remove the cooked salmon from the skillet and set it aside.

3. Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger for about 1 minute. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey, and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

4. Toss the Salmon with Sauce: Return the crispy salmon to the skillet and toss it in the honey garlic sauce. Make sure the salmon is evenly coated.

5. Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped chives over the salmon, then serve it over rice or alongside steamed veggies.

Nutrients

• Calories: ~330 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 17g

• Protein: 25g

• Fat: 20g

• Saturated Fat: 3g

• Cholesterol: 65mg

• Sodium: 800mg

• Potassium: 350mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 18g

The Salmon: Tender and Crispy

The key to making the perfect salmon bites lies in the way the salmon is prepared. Start by removing the skin from the salmon fillets and cutting them into 1-inch cubes. This allows the salmon to cook evenly and quickly while maintaining its moisture. Patting the salmon dry with a paper towel before seasoning is essential because it helps the seasoning adhere better and ensures that the salmon sears properly in the pan.

For seasoning, the salmon is coated with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This combination adds a layer of savory depth to the salmon without overpowering its natural flavor. A drizzle of olive oil helps the seasoning stick and also ensures that the salmon develops a golden, crispy exterior when seared in the pan.

Once seasoned, the salmon is cooked in a hot skillet with olive oil. Pan-searing the salmon for 4-5 minutes on each side allows it to become crispy on the outside while staying tender and flaky on the inside. The goal is to cook the salmon until it’s golden and crispy on all sides, so be sure to flip the cubes often to achieve an even sear. Once done, remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside.

The Honey Garlic Sauce: Sweet and Savory

The star of this dish is the honey garlic sauce, which is simple to make but adds incredible flavor to the salmon. To create the sauce, you’ll sauté minced garlic and grated ginger in the same skillet used for the salmon. The garlic and ginger infuse the oil with their aromas, giving the sauce a fragrant and zesty base.

Next, soy sauce and rice vinegar are added to provide a balance of salty and tangy flavors, while honey adds sweetness, which perfectly complements the savory taste of the salmon. Let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and develop a rich consistency.

This sauce is a perfect blend of flavors—sweet, salty, and a little bit of spice from the ginger. It clings to the salmon, making every bite a mouthful of deliciousness.

Tossing the Salmon in the Sauce: Coating and Flavor

Once the sauce has thickened, return the crispy salmon to the skillet. Gently toss the salmon cubes in the sauce, ensuring that each piece is coated evenly with the flavorful mixture. This step not only helps the salmon absorb the sauce but also allows the crispy exterior of the salmon to soak up the sweet and savory flavors of the honey garlic sauce.

The salmon should be cooked for another minute or two in the sauce, allowing it to absorb all the flavors while remaining crispy on the outside.

Serving the Honey Garlic Salmon Bites

Once the salmon is coated in the sauce, it’s time to serve. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped chives over the top to add a touch of crunch and freshness. The sesame seeds bring a slightly nutty flavor that enhances the dish, while the chives provide a burst of color and a mild onion flavor.

These Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are perfect served over rice—whether white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice—or alongside steamed veggies like broccoli or asparagus for a balanced and nutritious meal.

Nutritional Benefits

Each serving of these Honey Garlic Salmon Bites provides about 330 calories, making it a moderate-calorie, protein-packed meal. The salmon provides 25g of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. With 20g of fat, including healthy fats from olive oil and salmon, this dish is filling and offers heart-healthy fats.

Although the dish contains 3g of saturated fat, which comes from the butter and oil used in cooking, the overall fat profile is balanced with the healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from the salmon and olive oil.

In terms of carbohydrates, each serving has 17g, with 1g of fiber, making it a relatively low-carb meal. The 18g of sugar comes from the natural sweetness of the honey and the sauce, giving the dish a delightful balance of flavors without being overly sugary.

The dish also provides a good amount of sodium (800mg), mainly from the soy sauce, so be mindful of the sodium content if you are watching your intake. Additionally, the potassium content is 350mg, which supports proper cell function and helps balance out the sodium.

Conclusion: A Quick, Delicious, and Healthy Meal

Honey Garlic Salmon Bites are an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that is perfect for weeknights or a special dinner. The combination of crispy salmon, savory honey garlic sauce, and the touch of sesame seeds and chives makes this dish a crowd-pleaser. It’s quick to prepare, packed with protein, and offers a perfect balance of flavors, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal.

Whether you serve it over rice or with a side of vegetables, these salmon bites are sure to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation. The sweetness of the honey, combined with the salty soy sauce and the freshness of the garlic and ginger, creates a meal that is as delicious as it is simple.