Honey Pineapple Salmon Recipe

Zesty Honey Pineapple Salmon Recipe: A Tropical Delight

Succulent salmon takes on a delightful glaze when brushed with honey pineapple marinade, creating a tropical symphony of flavors.

Sweet meets savory in this effortless dish that promises to delight your taste buds.

Juicy pineapple chunks infuse the fish with bright, zesty notes.

Minimal ingredients combine to produce maximum impact on your dinner plate.

Marine-fresh salmon absorbs the golden, caramelized goodness of honey’s natural sweetness.

Elegant yet uncomplicated, this recipe brings island-inspired culinary magic to your kitchen.

Prepare to impress with a meal that feels like a mini vacation on your fork.

Why Honey Pineapple Salmon Is a Sweet and Savory Delight

  • Unlock Exotic Flavors: Dive into a mouthwatering fusion of sweet honey, tangy pineapple, and rich salmon that transforms your dinner into a tropical culinary adventure.
  • Simplify Gourmet Cooking: Master a restaurant-quality dish with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making impressive meals accessible to home cooks of all levels.
  • Quick Weeknight Meal Solution: Prepare a nutritious, protein-packed dinner that comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy families seeking delicious and healthy options.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients or adjusting marinading times to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Honey Pineapple Salmon

Main Protein:
  • Salmon Fillets: Fresh fish with a rich, buttery flavor that absorbs marinades beautifully.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Honey, Soy Sauce, Pineapple Juice: A sweet and savory blend that creates a glossy, flavorful coating for the salmon.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and zesty notes to the marinade.
Seasoning and Garnish:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the salmon.
  • Pineapple Slices: Fresh garnish that adds a tropical touch and visual appeal to the dish.

How to Prepare Honey Pineapple Salmon

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Fusion

In a small mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, pineapple juice, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir the ingredients until they blend into a harmonious marinade that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Step 2: Prep the Star of the Show

Generously season the salmon fillets with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring every inch gets a delicious coating of seasoning.

Step 3: Create the Marinade Bath

Carefully place the seasoned salmon fillets in a baking dish, then lovingly pour the honey pineapple mixture over the fish. Make sure each fillet is completely coated in the liquid gold.

Step 4: Let the Magic Happen

Allow the salmon to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes. This resting time lets the flavors dance and deeply penetrate the fish, creating an explosion of tropical goodness.

Step 5: Fire Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to 400F (200C). The high heat will help caramelize the marinade and create a gorgeous golden exterior on the salmon.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on the salmon – you want it to be fully cooked but still moist and flaky.

Step 7: Dress and Impress

Pull out the salmon and add a final touch of tropical flair by scattering fresh pineapple slices on top. The bright, juicy fruit will add a beautiful finishing touch to your culinary masterpiece.

Tips for Juicy Honey Pineapple Salmon

  • Choose fresh, high-quality salmon fillets for the best flavor and texture.
  • Let salmon marinate longer for deeper, more intense taste penetration.
  • Avoid overcooking salmon by checking internal temperature reaches 145°F for perfect doneness.
  • Pat salmon dry before seasoning to help marinade adhere better and create a delicious caramelized exterior.
  • Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweet profile or use low-sodium soy sauce for reduced salt content.

Variations to Experiment With Honey Pineapple Salmon

  • Tropical Teriyaki Salmon: Replace honey with teriyaki sauce and add coconut milk for a creamy, Hawaiian-inspired marinade that brings rich depth to the fish.
  • Spicy Pineapple Glaze: Incorporate red chili flakes or sriracha sauce into the original marinade for a fiery kick that complements the sweet pineapple flavor.
  • Citrus Herb Salmon: Swap pineapple juice with fresh orange juice and add chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to create a bright, zesty version of the original recipe.
  • Maple Ginger Salmon: Substitute honey with pure maple syrup and increase ginger for a warming, winter-friendly variation that maintains the recipe's core sweetness.

Pairings to Serve with Honey Pineapple Salmon

  • Pair Sweet Riesling: Select a chilled, slightly sweet Riesling white wine that complements the honey and pineapple flavors, balancing the salmon's richness with its crisp acidity.
  • Serve Coconut Rice: Create a creamy coconut rice side dish that echoes the tropical pineapple notes and provides a smooth, neutral backdrop to the sweet and savory salmon.
  • Enhance with Grilled Asparagus: Roast asparagus spears with a light olive oil and sea salt coating, offering a fresh, green vegetable that adds texture and nutritional contrast to the dish.
  • Match Sparkling Prosecco: Choose a light, bubbly Prosecco that cuts through the salmon's richness and harmonizes with the recipe's sweet and tangy marinade, creating a bright dining experience.

Storage Advice for Honey Pineapple Salmon

  • Store leftover salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor transfer.
  • Preheat oven to 275F. Place salmon in a baking dish, add a splash of water or pineapple juice to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, checking internal temperature reaches 145F.
  • Place salmon on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each interval to avoid overcooking. Stop when salmon is warm and steaming.
  • Wrap individual salmon portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers.

FAQs About Honey Pineapple Salmon

  • Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, thaw the salmon completely before marinating and ensure it’s pat dry to help the marinade adhere better.

  • Is the marinade also good for other types of fish?

Absolutely! This sweet and tangy marinade works great with halibut, cod, and mahi-mahi.

  • How can I tell if the salmon is fully cooked?

The salmon should flake easily with a fork and have an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). The flesh will turn from translucent to opaque.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can marinate the salmon for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Avoid marinating longer as the acid in pineapple juice can start to break down the fish’s texture.

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Honey Pineapple Salmon Recipe

Honey Pineapple Salmon Recipe


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4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 50-55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent salmon meets tropical sweetness in this Honey Pineapple Salmon masterpiece, blending rich marine flavors with island-inspired zest. Juicy pineapple and golden honey create a perfect glaze that elevates this simple yet elegant seafood dish for quick gourmet dining.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Proteins:

  • 4 salmon fillets

Sweeteners and Liquids:

  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) pineapple juice

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Garnish:

  • Sliced pineapple

Instructions

  1. Whisk honey, soy sauce, pineapple juice, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant marinade.
  2. Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over salmon fillets.
  3. Transfer salmon to a ceramic baking dish and generously coat with the prepared marinade.
  4. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, allowing the fish to absorb the sweet and tangy flavors.
  5. Heat oven to 400F, ensuring rack is positioned in the middle for even cooking.
  6. Remove salmon from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking.
  7. Place baking dish in preheated oven and roast for 12-18 minutes, checking for opaque center and flaky texture.
  8. When salmon reaches desired doneness, remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes.
  9. Arrange fresh pineapple slices around the salmon and drizzle remaining marinade over the fish.
  10. Serve immediately, garnishing with optional chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for added brightness.

Notes

  • Marinate the salmon for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and ensure tender, juicy results.
  • Use fresh pineapple juice for a brighter, more vibrant taste compared to canned varieties.
  • For a gluten-free option, swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the umami profile.
  • Pat salmon fillets dry before seasoning to help create a perfect caramelized exterior when baking.
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 315 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

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