Description
This Irish Whiskey Honey Roasted Salmon is rich, slightly sweet, and just sharp enough from the lemon to keep things interesting. It’s one of those dishes that feels a bit special, but honestly, it’s pretty easy
Ingredients
Units
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- 3 Tbsp liquid honey
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup Irish whiskey
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 salmon fillets, skin on if possible
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- In a large zip-lock bag, mix the 3 Tbsp liquid honey, 3 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1/4 cup Irish whiskey, 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil.
- Add the 4 salmon fillets and seal the bag, pressing out excess air.
- Let it marinate in the fridge for 4 hours. If you think of it, flip the bag once or twice so everything soaks evenly.
- When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 450⁰F (230⁰C) or fire up the BBQ.
- Remove the salmon fillets from the marinade and place them on a foil-lined sheet pan.
- Pat them lightly with a paper towel so they roast instead of steaming, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pour the leftover marinade into a small saucepan.
- Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat and let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until it reduces by about half and turns slightly syrupy.
- Turn off the heat and swirl in the 1 Tbsp butter until melted, then stir in the 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme. Set aside.
- For oven roasting, cook the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Halfway through, spoon a bit of the sauce over each fillet.
- If you want a bit of colour, pop it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes at the end. Keep close watch, as it can go from perfect to overdone quickly.
- For BBQ, place salmon flesh side down first and cook about 4 minutes per side, brushing lightly with sauce as it cooks.
- Once done, transfer to a serving plate and drizzle with the warm sauce.
Helpful Tips
- Can I skip the whiskey? Yes, but you’ll lose depth. Apple juice with a splash of vinegar can be used if you prefer that.
- How do I know it’s done? It flakes easily with a fork and looks slightly translucent in the centre.
- Can I use dried thyme? Yes, but use about half the amount.
Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Mona


