April 26, 2026
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You know those moments when you want something that feels a little fancy but is basically hassle-free? This Honey Butter Sesame Salmon is just that. The honey butter glaze melts into the salmon as it bakes, enveloping the salmon in every bite. The salmon tastes buttery, glossy, and sweet enough to keep you wanting another bite. You can get crispy and tender fish with almost no post-processing. Yes, please.
sesame salmon
My family loves salmon, and it’s one of the few proteins that can be prepared quickly and tastes great without much effort. This sesame salmon recipe simply drizzles a few fillets with honey, butter, and sesame oil. Shocking, I know. I added some salt and pepper just in case and threw it in the oven. Served with a little rice and salad, that was dinner 🙂
Ingredient memo
Fresh Salmon – Choose center-cut fillets if possible. It will cook more evenly and stay juicy. Parsley – Fresh and bright, perfect for finishing. Honey Butter Sesame Glaze – This is where the magic happens. The butter, honey, and sesame oil melt together to form a glossy batter that soaks into the salmon and bakes. Salt + Pepper – essential to bring everything together. Sesame seeds – Optional, but add a little texture and visual upgrade.
If you love lovey-dovey salmon, try these other salmon recipes: Salmon with Garlic Butter Breadcrumbs, Asian Salmon Recipe, Leftover Salmon Croquettes and Avocado Salsa, and Skillet Fries
How to make honey butter sesame salmon
This is one of those recipes where once you read the steps, you already know what you’re doing. It’s that simple. For recipe details, including ingredients and quantities, please see the printable recipe card below. Here’s a quick overview.
Step 1: Preheat the oven + prepare the pan
Set oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Prepare the salmon
Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Make the honey butter
In a small bowl, mix softened butter, honey, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Step 4: Coating + Bake
Brush honey butter glaze over each fillet (I like to use a brush, but a spoon works too!). Spread the honey butter glaze over each fillet, making sure it’s completely coated (don’t rush this part, as the flavor develops here). Bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through and flaky.
Step 5: Finish + serve
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and parsley if using. Serve immediately while hot and glossy.
tools needed
Before you begin, obtain the following to make it easy to assemble everything:
tips for success
Pat the salmon dry to help the glaze adhere better and roast it properly. Do not overglaze. A thin layer melts easily and coats the salmon evenly. Do not overcook. Salmon can go from perfect to dry quickly. If it comes off easily, pull it out. Use softened butter so the glaze mixes smoothly. Want more color? Bake for the last 1-2 minutes to give the top a slight caramel color. Let rest for 1 minute before eating to allow the juices to settle.
what to eat with salmon
Storage and reheating
Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slowly in a 300°F oven or microwave in short intervals to prevent drying.
You can freeze it, but the texture is best when it’s fresh. If frozen, wrap tightly and use within 2 months.
Honey butter can be mixed in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQ
It should flake easily with a fork and appear opaque in the center. For a soft finish, the internal temperature should be around 125°F to 130°F.
Yes, please thaw completely and pat dry before use.
However, baking will ensure that the glaze cooks evenly and gently, preventing the glaze from burning.
variations
Replacing honey with maple syrup gives it a slightly deeper flavor. Add some minced garlic to the butter mixture for extra flavor. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and warm slightly. Add lime juice at the end for a fresh citrus pop.
More recipes I want to try
This Honey Butter Sesame Salmon hits the sweet spot between easy and impressive. Once you make it, it will become part of your regular rotation. There is a printable recipe below. Have a great day, friends!
honey butter sesame salmon
If you love honey butter, you’ll love this Honey Butter Sesame Salmon. A slightly sweet Asian flavor topped with sesame seeds!
material
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix together the butter, honey, oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Spread a thin layer of honey-butter mixture over each piece of salmon and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
Top with sesame seeds and parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Precautions
Storage and preparation
Leftover salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat slowly at 300°F or microwave briefly until warmed through.
To freeze, wrap the cooled salmon tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Make the chips up to 3 days in advance, mix together the honey butter sesame glaze and store in the refrigerator. Let it soften a bit before spreading.
nutrition
calorie: 287kcalcarbohydrates: 4gprotein: 34gfat: 14gSaturated fat: 4gcholesterol: 101mgsodium: 100mgpotassium: 833mgsugar: 4gVitamin A: 156IUcalcium: 20mgiron: 1mg
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you could give me a star rating or leave a review in the comments! If you have a photo of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
(Tag translation) Butter
