Delicious, complex flavor with simple prep makes this Sheet Pan Dinner a standout! A simple glaze of honey on the baked salmon and carrots enhances their natural sweetness, and the fresh grated ginger adds brightness. A drizzle of Tamari or soy sauce and a quick squeeze from the garlic press makes the roasted green beans extra special. And the best part? The entire meal is ready in under 20 minutes!
Easy Sheet Pan Dinners are my heroes on busy weeknights, and this Baked Honey Salmon is a favorite. I love that I can bake a complete and wholesome meal with lots of flavor and veggies using just a single baking sheet. The easy prep and breezy cleanup means more time to enjoy the other parts of life.
The recipe for Baked Honey Salmon with garlic green beans and honey-ginger carrots is below. If you are new to making sheet pan dinners, read the next section before you get cooking.
What makes a great Sheet Pan Dinner?
Vegetables and protein form the base of the meals, which makes them great for people who are gluten free or follow keto or low carb diets. Some other vegetables that work really well for this method are carrots, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, butternut squash, asparagus, kale, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, green beans, red onion, delicata squash, jalapenos, eggplant–you get the idea! These vegetables can stand up to some time in the oven and cooking enhances their flavors. The sugars get sweeter, and the slight char on the vegetables gives some crispy crunch to the meal. A little drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper is all you need! I usually double up the veggies to add more vitamins and color to the meal.
What types of protein are best to use?
In addition to the salmon filets used in the Baked Honey Salmon recipe here, other proteins that work well in the oven are chicken sausages, chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins (or chicken nuggets), tofu slices, feta, pork tenderloin, and prepared beans. Yes, roasted garbanzo beans (chickpeas) are awesome! And so are roasted pintos or kidney beans. A little oil and seasonings or a touch of sauce and in they go!
Can I add fruits to sheet pan dinners?
Of course! Roasted lemons, limes, apricots, peaches, apples, oranges, tomatoes (yes, they are a fruit:) all can be roasted alongside your protein and vegetables to add extra flavor to the dish. So simple but amazing! Take a look in your fridge or fruit basket and see if there’s something that might enhance the meal. Don’t be afraid to try an addition- it may be your next new favorite!
How to make cleanup easy?
If I’m pressed for time, I use a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan to make cleanup super simple. You can also use aluminum foil or a silicone baking liner, as I did in the Baked Honey Salmon pictured in this recipe.
What about carbs?
While my husband often skips the carbs to maintain his six pack, I have three growing girls to feed and those busy bodies need carbohydrates! I often use potatoes in my Sheet Pan Dinners. Halved baby potatoes, whole fingerlings, sliced sweet potatoes or Japanese sweet potatoes, tossed in a bit of olive oil, herbs, salt and pepper. Even classic French fries. Try our family favorite, Cheesy Smashed Potatoes. They require one extra step during the last few minutes of cooking but they are worth it! If you are not feeling potatoes, try parmesan toast or garlic cheese bread to accompany the veggies and protein. Or break the one pan dinner rule and make some rice or pasta!
How do I make sheet pan dinners?
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 400° F.
- Wash and cut your vegetables and potatoes. Aim for similarly sized pieces so that the foods cook evenly.
- Toss vegetables in olive oil and season with salt, pepper and desired spices.
- Repeat with protein.
- Place on baking sheet and roast for recommended time. Check after 15 minutes and cover items if they have reached desired level of browning.
- Remove from oven, assemble in bowl and drizzle with desired sauce (peanut, soy, honey mustard, salsa, balsamic vinaigrette, chimichurri, bulgogi, etc.)
Honey Salmon | Easy Sheet Pan Dinners
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Delicious, complex flavor with simple prep makes the Baked Honey Salmon in this Easy Sheet Pan Dinner a standout! A simple glaze of honey on the salmon and carrots enhances their natural sweetness, and the fresh grated ginger adds brightness. A drizzle of Tamari or soy sauce and a quick squeeze from the garlic press makes the roasted green beans special. And the best part? The entire meal is ready in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
11/2 lb wild sockeye salmon (4 6-ounce portions)
3 Tablespoons honey
1 inch piece fresh ginger
1 garlic clove
1 pound trimmed green beans
4 large carrots sliced into ¼” slices
2 Tablespoons Tamari or soy sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon Chili flakes if desired
Optional: 2 large sweet potatoes, cubed into 1” pieces with skin.
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425° F.
- Peel and cut carrots on the diagonal into ¼ inch slices. Wash and cut the sweet potatoes. Aim for similarly sized pieces so that they cook evenly.
- Drizzle olive oil on the sheet pan and lay the vegetables on one side. Drizzle top with olive oil. This saves time and dishes. Alternatively, toss vegetables in separate bowl to coat.
- Grate 1″ piece of ginger over the carrots using a microplane or cheese grater.
- Using garlic press, add one clove of garlic to green beans.
Add this honey salmon to your favorite easy sheet pan dinners! - Place salmon on other side of sheet pan and drizzle salmon and carrots with honey.
- Season everything with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle green beans with the Tamari or soy sauce and chili flakes.
- Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Notes
Powdered ginger can be substituted for the grated fresh ginger on the carrots. Use 1/4 teaspoon and mix it with the salt to distribute it evenly.
You can also add a quartered lemon or orange to the sheet pan before the baking. Squeeze the roasted fruit onto the salmon and carrots for extra flavor!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
The recipe for Honey Salmon with Green Beans and Carrots is above, but here’s a list of some other family favorites.
Autumn Harvest Bowl
Roasted Brussel sprouts + onion + apple + chicken sausages + baby potatoes (20 minutes)
Salmon Broccoli Bake
Roasted carrots + broccoli + halved lemon + salmon + sweet potatoes (15-20 minutes) *Squeeze lemon over salmon and vegetables before serving. Season salmon and potatoes with salt, pepper, and dill. Season vegetables with garlic salt.
Crispy Asian Tofu Bowl
Roasted broccolini + carrots + tofu + sweet potatoes (20 minutes) *Drizzle with peanut sauce.
Roasted Moroccan Chicken
This is a similar streamlined version of our Moroccan Chicken. Roasted delicata squash + green beans + chicken thighs + smashed potatoes (20 minutes) *Brush chicken with harissa sauce and dust squash with cumin.
Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas | Oven Baked Fajitas
Roasted bell peppers + cherry tomatoes + sliced onion + halved lime + chicken tenderloins + tortillas (15 minutes) *Dust chicken with salt, chili powder, and cumin before baking and serve with salsa and a squeeze of the lime.
