If you love the sweet and savory combo of seafood glazed in a luscious sauce, then wait until you dig into this Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe. This dish brings together perfectly cooked salmon and succulent shrimp drenched in a sticky honey garlic glaze, all resting atop fluffy, fragrant garlic butter rice. It’s a mouthwatering symphony of flavors and textures that feels like a special treat but comes together quickly enough for any night of the week. Trust me, once you try it, this recipe will become one of your go-to crowd-pleasers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of these ingredients — each one plays a vital role in delivering the rich, balanced taste and comforting texture you’re craving. The fresh seafood, a mix of buttery garlic, sweet honey, and bright lemon juice, plus the rice’s aromatic base come together beautifully.
- Salmon fillets (2, about 6 oz each): Choose fresh, firm fillets for the best texture and flavor.
- Large shrimp (½ pound, peeled and deveined): Adds a delicate seafood sweetness and tender bite that pairs perfectly with salmon.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Provides natural sweetness and helps build that gorgeous sticky glaze on the seafood.
- Low-sodium soy sauce (3 tablespoons): Brings deep umami notes without overpowering the dish.
- Garlic (3 cloves minced for the sauce, 2 cloves minced for rice): Essential for that punch of savory warmth in both the sauce and rice.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Adds brightness and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): For searing the salmon without masking its flavor.
- Butter (3 tablespoons total): Enriches both the rice and the sautéed shrimp with a silky texture and indulgent flavor.
- Long-grain white rice (1 cup): Use jasmine or basmati for fragrant, fluffy garlic butter rice.
- Low-sodium chicken broth or water (2 cups): Hydrates and flavors the rice during cooking.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Simple but crucial seasoning to enhance all other flavors.
- Chopped parsley or green onions (optional): For a fresh, colorful garnish that brightens up the dish.
How to Make Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Garlic Butter Rice
Start by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat to create that luxurious base for your rice. Adding minced garlic early allows it to infuse the butter with fragrant warmth that will carry throughout the dish. Toasting the rice gently in this garlic butter for a couple of minutes boosts its nuttiness and ensures an irresistible aroma. After adding your broth and a pinch of salt, let the rice simmer undisturbed until perfectly tender and fluffy. This garlic butter rice sets the stage for the honey garlic salmon and shrimp with every bite.
Step 2: Mix the Honey Garlic Sauce
While the rice cooks, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. This simple sauce is the heart of the dish, offering a balanced blend of sweet, savory, and zesty notes that will both glaze the salmon and flavor the shrimp. Keeping the sauce handy makes the cooking process seamless and satisfying.
Step 3: Cook the Salmon
Pat your salmon dry and season with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavor. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and carefully sear the salmon first skin-side down if present, to lock in moisture and develop a crispy, golden crust. After a few minutes per side, the salmon should be just cooked through — tender and flaky without drying out. Remove it from the pan and set aside to rest briefly.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp and Glaze Everything
Add a tablespoon of butter to the same skillet and toss in the shrimp. Sauté the shrimp quickly — about 1 to 2 minutes on each side — until they are pink and tender. Then, introduce the honey garlic sauce to the pan and let it simmer gently until it thickens slightly, creating a sticky glaze. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over both the shrimp and salmon to coat them in that irresistible shine.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Spoon a generous helping of garlic butter rice onto each plate, then elegantly arrange the glazed salmon and shrimp on top. Drizzle any remaining sauce over the dish and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or green onions if you’d like. Every component works in harmony for a restaurant-quality meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chopped parsley or vibrant green onions add a pop of color and a mild oniony freshness that cuts through the richness of the honey garlic glaze. They also bring an inviting visual appeal, making your dish look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed or sautéed vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or spinach. Their crispness and earthiness balance the sweet and buttery elements, rounding out your meal without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the salmon and shrimp stacked atop a neat mound of garlic butter rice, drizzling the sauce artfully around the plate for a gourmet touch. For a casual vibe, serve everything family-style in a large skillet, letting guests help themselves to the luscious seafood and vibrant rice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover salmon, shrimp, and garlic butter rice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keeping the seafood and rice apart helps maintain the best texture and flavor when you’re ready to enjoy leftovers.
Freezing
This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen if needed. Freeze the cooked garlic butter rice and seafood separately to avoid sogginess. Use freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, and label them with dates for up to one month of freezer storage.
Reheating
Reheat garlic butter rice gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Warm the salmon and shrimp in a skillet over low heat to retain moisture. Avoid high heat to prevent overcooking seafood, which can turn rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp and salmon for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them fully in the refrigerator before cooking. Pat dry to remove excess moisture for better searing and sauce adherence.
Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the butter for olive oil in both the garlic butter rice and shrimp cooking steps. You will still enjoy plenty of flavor and richness.
Can I substitute the white rice with another kind?
Definitely. Brown rice or cauliflower rice can be used if you want extra fiber or a low-carb option. Just adjust cooking times and liquid amounts as needed.
How long does the honey garlic sauce keep?
The sauce can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir it well before using, and add fresh lemon juice to brighten it if it seems dull.
What wine pairs well with Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe?
A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay complements the sweet and savory flavors wonderfully, enhancing the seafood without overwhelming it.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe is truly one of those dishes that feels both special enough for company and straightforward enough for any weeknight. Its harmony of flavors and textures delights every palate, while the approachable ingredients make it an absolute joy to prepare. So grab your skillet, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to this memorable meal—you won’t regret it!
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Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp over Garlic Butter Rice is a flavorful and quick seafood dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring tender salmon fillets and succulent shrimp glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, served atop fragrant garlic butter rice, this dish offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes inspired by Asian and American cuisine.
Ingredients
For the Honey Garlic Salmon & Shrimp:
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- ½ pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
For the Garlic Butter Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (like jasmine or basmati)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Make the Garlic Butter Rice: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the rice and cook for another 1–2 minutes to lightly toast it. Pour in the chicken broth and add a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Prepare the Salmon & Shrimp: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice to create the sauce. Pat salmon fillets dry and season both salmon and shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down if applicable and sear for 3–4 minutes on each side until just cooked through. Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside. Add butter to the same skillet, then add shrimp and cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Pour in the honey garlic sauce and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and shrimp are cooked through. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top to glaze.
- Assemble: Spoon the garlic butter rice onto plates, then top with the glazed salmon and shrimp. Drizzle any remaining sauce from the skillet over the top and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber and a nuttier flavor.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach on the side for a nutritious vegetable boost.
- Make this dish dairy-free by substituting butter with olive oil in the rice and shrimp cooking steps.
- For a gluten-free version, replace soy sauce with tamari.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, American
