Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe

This easy brown sugar glazed salmon recipe creates perfectly flaky, sweet, and savory fillets that are ready in under 20 minutes!

The Ultimate Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe

I don’t know about you, but in my house, salmon is always a crowd-pleaser. The problem is, sometimes we get stuck in a rut. When that happens, I need a reliable, flavorful solution, and this brown sugar glazed salmon recipe is exactly that. It strikes the perfect balance of sweet caramelized flavor on the outside and moist, flaky fish on the inside.

What makes this particular brown sugar glazed salmon recipe so fantastic is how simple it is. With just a few ingredients you probably have in your pantry, you can transform ordinary salmon fillets into a restaurant-quality meal.

The glaze is the star of the show. By using brown sugar as the base, the salmon gets a stunning deeply golden and sticky finish as it cooks. If you’ve been looking for a definitive glazed salmon recipe, this sweet and savory combination is it.

We love serving this dish with roasted asparagus or over a bed of quinoa. The next time you're searching for a quick weeknight meal that tastes like a special occasion, you have to try this brown sugar glazed salmon recipe!

Ingredients

  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets

  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced (for baking/serving)

  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Prep the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and the garlic powder.

  2. Make the Brown Sugar Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, soy sauce, fresh lemon juice, and the brown sugar until smooth and the sugar is starting to dissolve.

  3. Glaze and Bake (Option 1: The Sheet Pan Method)

    • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a small baking sheet with foil (this is a must for easy cleanup!).

    • Arrange the salmon fillets and the lemon slices on the baking sheet. Pour or brush the brown sugar glaze over each fillet, making sure they are well coated.

    • Bake for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. For a more caramelized top, turn the oven to broil during the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

  4. Glaze and Sear (Option 2: The Stovetop/Oven Finish, as shown in the images)

    • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

    • Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 3-4 minutes until the skin is crispy.

    • Flip the fillets. Spoon the brown sugar glaze over the top and side of the salmon.

    • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is thick and bubbly. Spoon any extra glaze in the pan over the fillets before serving.

  5. Serve: Transfer the cooked salmon to a serving platter. Drizzle with any remaining pan glaze, top with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley, and serve with the cooked lemon slices on the side. Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe

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