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Brown sugar glazed salmon is one of the easiest, quickest meals you can make. In just under 20 minutes and with four quick steps, you’ll create sweet and salty salmon fillets that rival any fancy restaurant.

What is Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon?

Brown sugar glazed salmon is a classic American recipe you’ll absolutely love. Made with a simple sauce of brown sugar, soy sauce, and dijon mustard, it’s a little sweet, a little salty, and a whole lot of delicious.

If you love salmon and are looking for a recipe that departs from the usual salt, pepper, and lemon seasoning, you’re in the right place. This Asian-inspired recipe is anything but the boring same-old.

Whipped up in under 20 minutes, brown sugar glazed salmon is your new go-to weeknight dinner. Served alongside some roasted broccoli and rice, it makes for a healthy, well-rounded meal.

How to Make Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

Making brown sugar glazed salmon is a quick process that only requires a whisk, a baking sheet, and a hot oven. Below, find a quick overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Make the Marinade: Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, and dijon mustard. Spread the marinade over the salmon fillets.
  • Bake: Bake for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  • Serve: Squeeze fresh lemon juice atop each fillet and serve warm.

Silicone Baking Mats: While you can always rely on aluminum foil to line your baking sheet and prevent your fillets from sticking, there’s nothing quite like silicone baking mats. Not only do they work better than aluminum or parchment, they save you money and are better for the environment. That’s a win-win.

Brown sugar glaze in a bowl
Salmon fillets on a baking pan lined with a silicon mat
Salmon slices glazed with brown sugar
Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon in a skillet with rice

How to Store Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

  • Refrigerator: Salmon can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep salmon in an airtight container to avoid a “fishy” smell from permeating the fridge.
  • Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon by placing individual fillets in small plastic storage bags. If you have a vacuum sealer, that’s even better.

FAQ

How long does it take to bake salmon?

It takes salmon 10-12 minutes to bake at 400°F. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the fillets. Salmon is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

How do you tell if salmon is cooked fully?

Salmon is fully cooked when the flesh flakes easily with a fork.

Can you grill brown sugar glazed salmon?

Alternately, you can grill brown sugar glazed salmon. Invest in some cedar planks to grill the fillets on top of. This will give the salmon a nice, smoky, and sweet flavor.

Can I use the glaze as a marinade?

You can use the glaze as a marinade for extra flavorful salmon. Whip up the marinade and leave the salmon in it overnight. When ready to bake, line the salmon on a baking sheet and pour the remaining marinade over the fillets.

Can I substitute salmon for any other fish in this recipe?

You can substitute the salmon for cod or halibut in this recipe. Keep in mind that white fish tends to cook faster, so adjust the baking time as needed. Of note, cod is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F, and halibut is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 118°F.

Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon in a skillet with fork

Why Sockeye Salmon is Superior

Wild sockeye salmon is the most superior type of salmon and the best choice for this recipe. It’s super high in nutrients and naturally low in contaminants. It’s also rich in omega-3s, which are very important fats for healthy body function. Best of all, sockeye salmon is almost never farmed. This is important because farmed fish is much more susceptible to infection and disease than wild fish and typically is raised with antibiotics.

Keep in mind that wild sockeye salmon does have a stronger flavor than other types of salmon.

Serving Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

Brown sugar glazed salmon can be served in a variety of ways. One of the best options is as a unique salad topper. The Asian-inspired glaze pairs perfectly with a kale quinoa salad. If you’re serving glazed salmon as the main entree for dinner, pair it with mashed potatoes or white rice and a side of air fryer asparagus. There’s nothing quite like a bite of fluffy rice soaked in the sweet glaze. Yum!

Other Salmon Recipes to Try

Looking for more salmon recipes to satiate your cravings? See some of our favorites below:

Recipe

Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon in a skillet with rice

Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe

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Servings
6 Servings
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
In just under 20 minutes (and 4 steps), you'll create sweet and salty salmon fillets that rival any fancy restaurant. It's that good!

Ingredients

US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
    Ingredients for the brown sugar glazed salmon recipe
  • Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and dijon mustard in a small bowl with a whisk.
    Brown sugar glaze in a bowl
  • Generously apply the brown sugar glaze onto the salmon fillets. It's okay if it drips off the sides. Bake the salmon for 10-12 minutes. Note: Salmon is cooked when its internal temperature reaches 145°F.
    Salmon slices glazed with brown sugar
  • Before serving, squeeze lemon juice on top of the fillets. Enjoy!
    Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon in a skillet with rice
Nutrition Facts
Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g10%
Cholesterol 124mg41%
Sodium 632mg26%
Potassium 1155mg33%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 46g92%
Vitamin A 90IU2%
Vitamin C 9.6mg12%
Calcium 37mg4%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted July 28, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.