Description
This Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon recipe features tender, flaky salmon fillets pan-seared to perfection and coated in a sweet and savory glaze made from brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, it’s an ideal main course for a healthy weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon
- 4 fillets Salmon (6 ounces each, fresh, skin-on)
Marinade & Glaze
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (light or dark)
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger, grated
For Cooking & Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds (optional)
- 2 stalks Green Onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the brown sugar is mostly dissolved and a cohesive marinade forms.
- Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour half of the marinade over the salmon, ensuring all pieces are coated. Let the salmon marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Heat the skillet: Warm a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it heat until it shimmers, indicating it’s ready for cooking.
- Cook the salmon skin-side down: Remove salmon from the marinade and season both sides with salt and pepper. Place the fillets skin-side down into the hot skillet and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to develop a crispy skin.
- Flip and glaze: Carefully flip the salmon fillets over. Pour the reserved marinade over the top, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the glaze to thicken and coat the fish.
- Check doneness: Test the salmon for doneness by ensuring it has turned opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Adjust cook time slightly if needed for preference.
- Serve and garnish: Remove the salmon from the skillet and drizzle with any remaining glaze. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Marinating for longer (up to 30 minutes) will deepen the flavor but avoid exceeding 1 hour as the soy sauce can start to cure the fish.
- Skin-on fillets help keep the salmon moist and provide a crispy texture when seared.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness in the dish.
- Optional garnishes like sesame seeds and green onions add texture and freshness but can be omitted.
- For even cooking, ensure the skillet is adequately preheated before adding the salmon.
- This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on servings needed.
