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    Home » Seafood

    Honey Bourbon Salmon

    Published: Sep 15, 2020 · Modified: Dec 17, 2021 · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    This honey bourbon salmon is marinated in an easy bourbon sauce, broiled until tender, and finished with a sweet honey bourbon glaze.

    honey bourbon salmon on plates

    It’s probably pretty obvious that we love salmon.

    This summer, we’ve received lots and lots of fantastic wild Alaska salmon from our CSF (community supported fishery) boxes from Sitka Salmon Shares, and have been enjoying it so much.

    Unfamiliar with Community Supported Fisheries? Learn more here!

    We’ve made baked mustard salmon, salmon almondine, and sweet chili salmon, just to name a few.

    Recently, though, I was thinking back to one of the very first salmon dishes I ever tasted, a bourbon glazed salmon at a local restaurant.

    That salmon was the inspiration for lots of the bourbon seafood recipes on this site, such as this bourbon pecan-crusted salmon, bourbon pan-seared cod, halibut salad with bourbon dressing, grilled sea scallops with bourbon, grilled lobster tails with bourbon, and maple bourbon salmon.

    I realized, though, that I’d never shared a recipe that was similar to that original salmon dish. Until now.

    This honey bourbon salmon is marinated in a quick and easy bourbon sauce, broiled until tender, and then glazed with the marinade. It’s a restaurant-style seafood dish that’s easy to make at home!

    Looking for more salmon recipes? Try making air fryer salmon, salmon Caesar salad, slow-roasted salmon sandwiches, salmon sandwiches with Dijon, pesto salmon, or check out our salmon archives.

    What Type of Salmon Should I Use?

    There are six different types of salmon, and in my opinion, this recipe will work perfectly with any of them!

    If you’ve got lean pink salmon fillets on hand, they’ll work perfectly. The bourbon flavor will contrast nicely with Sockeye salmon’s strong flavor.

    The salmon in the pictures is King salmon, a decadent, extra-fatty fish. Use King salmon if you want this to be part of a gourmet dinner.

    If you’ve got extra King salmon on hand, try making seared salmon with cherries, poached salmon with blueberry sauce, and grilled salmon with plum sauce.

    What Can I Use Instead of Bourbon?

    I feel like I should mention that if you make any of the following swaps, it’s no longer “bourbon salmon.”

    If you’re out of bourbon, you can swap it for any unflavored whiskey.

    If this recipe sounded delicious, but you prefer to skip the alcohol altogether, I recommend making this teriyaki salmon instead. It’s a similar (more kid-friendly) recipe.

    How to Make Honey Bourbon Salmon

    Start by whisking together the marinade.

    You’ll need bourbon, soy sauce, and diced garlic.

    Set your salmon flesh-side down (skin-side up) in the marinade, and refrigerate the marinating fish for at least 30 minutes.

    Marinate Salmon
    Marinate Salmon

    Next, use your fingers to brush the marinade off the salmon, and place it in an oiled oven-safe pan (or sheet pan).

    I used this Lodge 12″ carbon steel skillet.

    Place Salmon in an Oiled Oven-Safe Pan
    Place Salmon in an Oiled Oven-Safe Pan

    Slide the salmon into the oven on the top rack, and broil until the fish is opaque and tender.

    It will take about six to eight minutes per one-inch thickness.

    Broil Salmon Until Opaque + Tender
    Broil Salmon Until Opaque + Tender

    While the fish cooks, pour the marinade into a small saucepan. Add a little honey.

    Bring it to a boil, and then simmer the sauce for a few minutes to thicken it.

    Add Honey + Simmer Marinade to Make Honey Bourbon Sauce
    Add Honey + Simmer Marinade

    Brush the marinade over the fish.

    It’ll look super pretty at this point.

    Glaze Salmon with Honey Bourbon Marinade
    Glaze Salmon with Marinade

    Serve your honey bourbon salmon right away, along with roasted spaghetti squash (or Instant Pot spaghetti squash), a kale apple salad, and a glass of your favorite red wine.

    honey bourbon salmon on plates
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 3 votes

    Honey Bourbon Salmon

    This honey bourbon salmon is marinated in an easy bourbon sauce, broiled until tender, and finished with the sweet honey bourbon glaze.
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 378kcal
    Freezer Friendly?
    No
    Will It Keep?
    No
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup bourbon
    • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari Use gluten-free certified if needed
    • 2 garlic cloves, diced
    • 8 ounces salmon (~2 fillets)
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil Or use another high-smoke point oil, such as canola
    • 2 tablespoons honey

    Instructions

    • Whisk or blend together bourbon, soy sauce, and garlic.
      Marinate salmon flesh-side down in sauce for at least 30 minutes, or overnight. (Refrigerate while marinating.)
      Marinate Salmon
    • Move an oven rack to about 4" away from the broiler. Preheat broiler to high.
      Brush oil in an oven-safe pan or casserole dish.
      Use your fingers to brush the marinade off of the salmon and move it to the prepared pan. Reserve marinade.
      Slide the pan into the oven.
      Broil salmon for 6-8 minutes per 1" thickness, or until the fish is opaque and easily flakes apart with a fork.
      Do not flip the fish halfway through cooking.
      Broil Salmon Until Opaque + Tender
    • While the salmon cooks, pour the marinade into a small pot.
      Add the honey.
      Heat over medium heat until it comes to a boil, and then simmer for 2-3 minutes, lowering heat if necessary. Remove from heat and cover the pan to keep the sauce warm.
      Add Honey + Simmer Marinade
    • When the salmon is done cooking, remove it from the oven and brush the bourbon sauce over the fish. Divide the remaining sauce and serve it on the side or drizzled over side dishes (like rice or vegetables.)
      Serve the fish immediately.
      honey bourbon salmon on plates

    Nutrition

    Calories: 378kcal (19%) | Carbohydrates: 20g (7%) | Protein: 26g (52%) | Fat: 14g (22%) | Saturated Fat: 2g (13%) | Cholesterol: 62mg (21%) | Sodium: 1672mg (73%) | Potassium: 617mg (18%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 18g (20%) | Vitamin A: 45IU (1%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 25mg (3%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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    Herb Butter Salmon »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsQuestions
    1. Deddie

      December 12, 2022 at 11:57 pm

      Can you use skinless salmon fillets?

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone

        December 13, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Yes, definitely!

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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