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Tasty Honey Pineapple Salmon

Featured in: Seafood Recipes for Fresh Flavor

This Honey Pineapple Salmon dish turns basic salmon into something special. The fish gets baked just right and covered with a delicious glaze mixing honey, pineapple, and tasty spices. The fish stays juicy from the marinade while the pineapple creates a yummy caramelized layer on top. You can use either pineapple chunks or slices, and you might want to brown the topping for extra flavor. The whole thing takes about 50 minutes from start to finish, so it works great for both quick weeknight meals and fancy get-togethers. The mix of sweet tropical taste and tender salmon makes an impressive meal that's surprisingly easy to cook.
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Updated on Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:16:44 GMT
Honey Pineapple Salmon Pin it
Honey Pineapple Salmon | tastefullyrecipe.com

This juicy Honey Pineapple Salmon blends sweet and savory tastes perfectly. The salmon's richness pairs wonderfully with sweet pineapple and honey coating, making a truly memorable dinner that turns plain fish into something amazing. It might sound odd at first, but these flavors work together so well, creating a dish that's fancy yet comforting at the same time.

I've made this dish so many times now and it's definitely become a top pick in our house. My kids used to turn their noses up at fish, but now they actually ask for this meal. I came up with the caramelized pineapple part completely by chance when I needed to use up some leftover pineapple rings.

Key Ingredients For Amazing Results

  • Wild-caught salmon: Gives you the tastiest results with the best texture, and its bright orange-pink color shows it's packed with good-for-you omega-3 fats
  • Fresh pineapple: Brings just the right mix of sweet and tangy flavors, though canned bits work fine too if you're in a hurry
  • Local honey: Makes the glaze richer and helps everything brown up nicely
  • Light brown sugar: Helps everything caramelize better and adds more depth to the overall taste
  • Cold-pressed coconut oil: Adds a hint of tropical flavor and slight nuttiness
  • Fresh garlic cloves: Try to get locally grown ones if you can, they add that savory kick that balances out the sweetness

Cooking Your Delicious Salmon

Getting Started:
Let your salmon sit out until it's not cold anymore. Grab some paper towels and pat it totally dry to get a nice sear later. Sprinkle plenty of sea salt and fresh black pepper all over it.
Mixing Your Glaze:
Stir together some melted butter, coconut oil, fresh pineapple juice, and honey in a bowl until it's all smooth. Throw in minced garlic and mix it all up good.
Oven Time:
Put your seasoned salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Scatter pineapple pieces around it, then drizzle your glaze all over everything.
Finishing Up:
Cook until your salmon turns opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving so all the juices stay inside the fish.

The thing I love most about this recipe is how the pineapple pieces get all caramelized. I found out by accident that letting them get a bit charred adds this amazing rich flavor that everyone in my house now can't get enough of.

Tasty Honey Pineapple Salmon Pin it
Tasty Honey Pineapple Salmon | tastefullyrecipe.com

Serving Your Stunning Creation

Make your salmon look fancy by putting it on a pile of jasmine rice. Add some fresh mint leaves on top and put the caramelized pineapple chunks all around for a dinner that looks as good as it tastes.

Customizing Your Dish

Try using local wildflower honey instead of regular honey to add some flowery notes. If you like things spicy, a little squirt of sriracha in the glaze makes a tasty sweet-hot combo that takes this dish up a notch.

Storing Leftovers Properly

Put any leftover salmon in a container with a tight lid, and put parchment paper between layers to keep it moist but not soggy. Try to eat it within three days for the best taste and texture.

Detailed Honey Pineapple Salmon Shot Pin it
Detailed Honey Pineapple Salmon Shot | tastefullyrecipe.com

Over the years of tweaking this recipe, I've learned that good ingredients and taking your time with the caramelizing really make all the difference. Whenever I make this for people, it reminds me that sometimes the simplest recipes done right create the meals we remember most.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long should I marinate the salmon?
Put the salmon in the marinade for at least 15 minutes but don't go over 30 minutes in the fridge or the fish might start breaking down.
→ What's the best way to know when the salmon is done?
Your salmon is ready when it hits 145°F inside, which usually takes about 25-30 minutes when cooking at 400°F.
→ Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Sure, fresh pineapple works great instead of canned. Just remember to keep some juice for your marinade.
→ Why do you put pineapple under the salmon?
The pineapple underneath helps the salmon stay juicy while cooking and gives it that nice tropical flavor.
→ Is caramelizing the pineapple necessary?
Nope, you don't have to caramelize the pineapple, but it does make everything taste better and gives a nice crunch.

Glazed Tropical Salmon

This Honey Pineapple Salmon mixes juicy tropical sweetness with flaky fish for a yummy spin on everyday salmon dishes.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1.5 kg salmon chunk, split into two pieces

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 400g can of pineapple chunks or slices, chopped smaller
03 60ml pineapple juice
04 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee
05 2 tablespoons sesame oil
06 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
08 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
09 1-2 big garlic cloves, finely chopped
10 1 small onion, chopped (if you want)

→ Seasonings & Garnish

11 1 teaspoon sea salt
12 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
14 3-4 mint leaves, sliced, for topping

→ Caramelized Pineapple (Optional)

15 2 tablespoons butter
16 1/2 cup light brown sugar

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up your oven to 400°F. Take your salmon out, dry it with paper towels, and slice it in half.

Step 02

Cover a big baking tray with foil or parchment. Put pineapple bits in two rows and lay salmon on them.

Step 03

Mix diced pineapple, butter, sesame oil, pineapple juice, lemon juice, honey, brown sugar, chopped garlic, paprika, white pepper, and salt in a bowl until well combined.

Step 04

Pour the mix all over the salmon. Let it sit in your fridge for 15-30 minutes.

Step 05

Stick the tray in the middle of the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes or until it hits 145°F inside. Cover with foil to keep it juicy.

Step 06

After taking it out, let the salmon cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with mint if you'd like before eating.

Notes

  1. Want more taste? Try making the sweet pineapple topping by frying pineapple bits with butter, brown sugar, and onion till they turn golden
  2. You can cook the salmon anywhere from 25-30 minutes depending on how done you like it

Tools You'll Need

  • Big baking tray
  • Foil or parchment paper
  • Food thermometer
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish (salmon)
  • Dairy (butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 432
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 48 g
  • Protein: 1 g