Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe

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This Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe is an easy weeknight dinner that will have everyone coming back for seconds! It’s a delicious pan-seared salmon that’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and finished with a sweet and tangy brown sugar glaze.

Looking for more pan seared salmon recipes? Try this recipe for creamy pan seared salmon.

Three Glazed Salmon fillets on a serving plate.


 

Glazed Salmon Recipe

If you’re in need of a new recipe to spice up your seafood dinners, look no further than this one skillet, 20-minute Glazed Salmon recipe! It is coated with a wonderful brown sugar glaze to make a tasty homemade sauce that creates the most flavorful meal. This dish is not only quick and convenient but also rich in flavor and perfect for adding something special to your weeknight menu. Whether you’re a seasoned seafood lover or just exploring new culinary horizons, this Glazed Salmon will surely become a favored choice in your kitchen.

Salmon is well-known for its wealth of nutrients, from omega-3 fatty acids to protein and a host of vitamins; thus, it’s a pleasure to be able to prepare this delicious fish and benefit from all of its healthful goodness. And the real magic of this recipe lies in its ability to combine simplicity with incredible taste. With every bite, you’ll be satisfied with the blend of sweet and savory notes, all wrapped up in a flaky texture. It’s a flavor experience that’s sure to impress.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Easy and Quick: You can whip up this dish with just one skillet in 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Rich in Flavor: The brown sugar glaze adds a wonderfully sweet, sticky taste that coats the salmon.
  • Nutrient-Packed: This recipe tastes great and is healthy, making this dish a wholesome choice.
  • Delicate Texture: The salmon is perfectly cooked, providing a delicate texture that pairs beautifully with bold flavors.
Flaking glazed Salmon fillet with a fork.

How To Make a Glaze For Salmon

In a small mixing bowl, combine melted coconut oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, light brown sugar, fresh ginger, lime juice, and lime zest. Whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside until ready to use. Refrigerate if not using right away.

Homemade Brown Sugar sauce in a glass bowl.

How To Make Glazed Salmon

Salmon is versatile, it’s super easy to cook, it’s healthy, it’s hearty, and it takes on all-the-flavors.

Ingredients for Glazed Salmon

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon butter
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Heat the Pan: Combine olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season the Salmon: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the salmon fillets.
  3. Cook the Salmon: Place the fillets in the skillet, skin-side up, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked about three quarters of the way through.
  4. Flip and Continue Cooking: Turn the fillets over and cook for 2 more minutes.
  5. Add the Glaze: Reduce the heat to medium and pour the brown sugar glaze into the pan. Swirl it around and cook for 1 minute, or until it starts to thicken, making sure to flip each fillet to coat.
  6. Remove from Heat: Take the skillet off the heat.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with cilantro or parsley and green onions before serving.
Three Salmon Fillets served on a white plate and garnished with lime slices and green onions.

Tips for The Best Glazed Salmon

  • Prepare the Fish: Take the fish out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you plan to start cooking, letting it reach room temperature.
  • Pat the Salmon Dry: Before seasoning, pat the salmon dry with a paper towel to help create a nice sear.
  • Choose the Right Pan: Use an oiled, hot cast iron skillet or a nonstick pan to ensure the salmon doesn’t stick.
  • Avoid Moving the Fish Around: Let the fish cook undisturbed until it’s cooked about 3/4 of the way up. Then, you can flip it and cook for a few more minutes.
  • Mind the Sauce: When you add the sauce, watch it closely to prevent burning. The glaze will only need about a minute to thicken and coat the fish nicely.
  • Avoid Overcrowding: Cook two salmon fillets at a time to ensure even cooking. Once you’re ready to glaze, you can add all the fillets back to the pan for that final minute of cooking.
Close-up photo of Brown Sugar Salmon with a fork flaking out a bite.

Serving Suggestions

The crispy exterior and tender interior will be enough for you to put this salmon dinner at the top of your favorites. Serve it with brown rice and steamed veggies for a complete and delicious weeknight meal! Here are some more ideas for serving salmon:

Storing Salmon Leftovers

  • Allow the salmon fillets to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.

More Salmon Recipes

Side Dishes To Serve With Salmon

ENJOY!

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5 from 12 votes

Glazed Salmon Recipe

Crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, this sweet and tangy glazed salmon recipe is an easy weeknight meal that will quickly have everyone coming back for seconds.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

For The Salmon

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon butter
  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets,, about 5 to 6 ounces, each
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper,, to taste

For The Brown Sugar Glaze

  • 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • zest of 1 lime
  • juice of 1 lime
  • fresh ground black pepper,, to taste
  • chopped fresh cilantro or parsley,, for garnish
  • sliced green onions,, for garnish
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Instructions 

For The Salmon

  • Let the salmon filets sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  • Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper and add to the skillet, skin-side down.
  • Cook for about 6 to 9 minutes or until cooked three-quarters of the way up. You will notice the flesh lighten from deep, dark pink to pale.
  • Flip over and cook for 2 more minutes.

For The Glaze

  • Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, ginger, lime zest, lime juice, and fresh ground black pepper; whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Once the fish has cooked on both sides, lower the heat to medium and add the brown sugar glaze to the pan. Swirl it around and cook for 1 minute, or until it starts to thicken, flipping each fillet around to coat.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Garnish the salmon with cilantro or parsley and green onions, and serve.

Video

Notes

  • Prepare the Salmon: Take the fish out of the fridge about 15 minutes before you plan to start cooking, letting it reach room temperature, and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Choose the Right Pan: Use an oiled, hot cast iron skillet or a nonstick pan to ensure the salmon doesn’t stick.
  • Avoid Prodding the Fish: Let the fish cook undisturbed until it’s done about 3/4 of the way up. Then, you can flip it and cook it for a few more minutes. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of the fillets.
  • Don’t Burn the Sauce: When you add the sauce, watch it closely to prevent burning. The glaze will only need about a minute to thicken and coat the fish nicely.
  • Avoid Overcrowding: Cook two salmon fillets at a time to ensure even cooking. Once you’re ready to glaze, you can add all the fillets back to the pan for that final minute or two of cooking.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 934mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 1.1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2.1mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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29 Comments

  1. Perry says:

    Excellent recipe…

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Sarah H says:

    Even my pickiest eater loves this salmon! It is so quick, so easy, and has become a staple in my dinner rotation! The 5 of us easily devour 2.5 pounds of this – skin and all! Follow the directions – donโ€™t be afraid of the high heat – use a splatter screen – and enjoy!!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I am very glad you and your family enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Allyson says:

    Can you prep the glaze ahead of time and store it in the fridge or does it have to be made fresh?

  4. Julie says:

    My husband went fishing in Alaska and brought home soooo much salmon. Iโ€™ve tried several recipes and this is by far our favorite! Thank you. Weโ€™re actually eating the salmon and not letting it take up freezer space. I love serving this with roasted cauliflower.

  5. Jaime says:

    Excellent flavor. I soaked the salmon in buttermilk before and towel dried and proceeded with directions.

    Served with roasted sweet potatoes with dates and walnuts, and sautรฉed spinach.

    Mangรฌa!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I am very happy you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Brittany eggleston says:

    If I wanted to bake this salmon, using your recipe, how would you suggest that? I canโ€™t wait to try it

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Hi!
      I haven’t tried this exact recipe in the oven because of the sticky sauce – my oven will smoke it up! ๐Ÿ˜ – BUT, my suggestion is to bake the salmon, first, in an oven safe skillet. Once it’s cooked through, remove from oven and set the skillet over medium-heat on the stove and add in the sauce. Cook it for about a minute, or until sauce starts to thicken, flipping fillets around to coat with the sauce. Remove from heat and serve.

      By the way, you want to bake the fillets in a 400หšF degree oven for about 15 minutes to 18 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily and is cooked through. Fish is cooked through when internal temperature reaches 145หšF.
      I hope this helps. ๐Ÿ˜Š

  7. Michele Jarrell says:

    Can you use this recipe with salmon that is skinless?

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Yes, but be careful handling it because it may not stay intact when you flip it. I hope this helps! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Diane says:

    Fail proof!! Iโ€™ve made this 4 or 5 times and each time itโ€™s amazing!!! Company has loved it and we do too. Alway cooked perfectly and the taste is phenomenal. Leaves you wanting more!! Thank you for this gem of a recipe.

  9. AnneMarie says:

    This was delicious! Served with Cilantro Lime Rice. Very easy to make.

  10. Caroline Cottrell says:

    Weโ€™ve made these twice and they are absolutely gorgeous, sweet crunchy top and you can taste the citrus flavour which balances out the sweetness. Very easy to make too!