Soy Honey Salmon Marinade Recipe
This easy 5-minute citrus-honey soy marinade brings bold flavor to salmon in minutes. A bright mix of lemon juice, garlic, and soy sauce creates a savory, zesty base, while a touch of sweetener balances it out. Perfect for baking, grilling, or air frying. This recipe yields about ⅓ a cup of marinade, perfect for 1 to 1½ pounds of salmon fillets.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (coconut aminos may also be used)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or lime juice)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey (maple syrup, or a sugar substitute (like monk fruit or stevia), to taste)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon black pepper or chili flakes
- For use on: 1 to 1½ pounds salmon fillets
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a bowl or shake in a jar until emulsified.
- Pour over salmon and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking (no more than 1 hour).
Video
Kori's Tips
For more helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes, check out my post above.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADD-INS:
Use tamari for gluten-free, or swap in coconut aminos for soy-free. Maple syrup, honey, agave, or monk fruit all work here—just adjust to taste. Lemon or lime juice both work great. Try this on shrimp, chicken, or tofu too.
TIPS:
Don’t marinate the salmon for more than 30 minutes—it's plenty of time to add flavor without breaking down the texture. For extra punch, add lemon zest or brush the marinade on during cooking. Always use fresh citrus juice for the best flavor.
SALMON COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
Grilling:
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates. Grill salmon skin-side down for 6–8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2–4 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Baking:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Pan-Searing:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side up and sear for 3–4 minutes. Flip and cook skin-side down for another 3–5 minutes, until the salmon is golden and just cooked through.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates. Grill salmon skin-side down for 6–8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2–4 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Baking:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Pan-Searing:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side up and sear for 3–4 minutes. Flip and cook skin-side down for another 3–5 minutes, until the salmon is golden and just cooked through.
Nutrition
Calories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 768mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.4mg
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