Description
This Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon recipe features tender, pan-seared salmon fillets coated in a sweet and savory glaze made from brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. It’s a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner that delivers a beautiful balance of crispy skin and rich, glossy glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
For the salmon:
- 4 pieces fresh salmon fillets
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the salmon: Bring the salmon fillets to room temperature and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, lemon juice, freshly grated ginger, Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth (or water), and cornstarch until smooth and well combined.
- Heat the skillet: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil along with 1 tablespoon of butter. Let the butter melt and the mixture heat until shimmering.
- Cook the salmon skin-side down: Carefully place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the hot skillet. Cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes to allow the skin to become crispy and golden brown.
- Flip and continue cooking: Gently flip the salmon fillets over, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the fish is almost cooked through.
- Add glaze and finish: Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and pour the prepared glaze around the salmon. Allow the glaze to bubble and thicken slightly for 20 to 30 seconds, spooning it over the salmon to coat evenly.
- Final flip and serve: Flip the salmon once more and generously spoon the thickened glaze over the top. Serve immediately while hot with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Bringing the salmon to room temperature before cooking helps it cook evenly.
- Patting the salmon dry ensures a crisp skin.
- You can substitute tamari for soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- If you prefer a spicier glaze, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Use fresh ginger for the best flavor but ground ginger can be used in a pinch.
- The glaze thickens quickly due to cornstarch; watch carefully to avoid burning.
