Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Sep. 27, 2023
Pop these protein-packed brown sugar salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes, making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests. —Debra Martin, Belleville, Michigan

Ingredients

  • 1 salmon fillet (1 pound)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°. Cut salmon into 4 portions; place in a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 10 minutes. Remove from oven; preheat broiler.
  2. In a small saucepan, mix remaining ingredients; bring just to a boil. Brush over salmon. Broil salmon 6 in. from heat until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 1-2 minutes.
Brown Sugar Salmon Tips

How do you season salmon?

Because salmon carries a stronger flavor, it can require nothing more than salt and pepper. However, if you want to switch things up, try a spicy rub, like in this spiced salmon recipe, or a sprinkle of garlic, lemon-pepper seasoning, fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme), smoked paprika or jerk seasoning.

How long should you marinate salmon?

Marinating is a delicious preparation for salmon. Just make sure you're marinating for 30 minutes or less. Otherwise, the marinade will break down the salmon's proteins, yielding an unpleasant texture when cooked. Check out our marinade guide for other marinating tips and recipes.

How do you know when salmon is done cooking?

If you're just starting to learn how to cook salmon, knowing when it's done cooking is essential to creating a memorable dish. It's especially important for baked salmon recipes when you might walk away from the oven and overcook the salmon without knowing (a common mistake when cooking seafood). Salmon is done when it just begins to flake easily with a fork, separating along the lines of its flesh. To avoid overcooking, start checking the doneness several minutes before the recipe says the fish is done.

What do you serve with brown sugar salmon?

Brown sugar salmon is one of those easy salmon recipes that anyone can make, and the flavor is neutral enough that it can be served with a wide variety of side dishes for salmon that would work nicely, too. Once the recipe is in the oven, you can start thinking about what wine to pair with your salmon. A rosé would be a great choice, especially one made with pinot noir.

Can you use any other fish with this recipe?

Ocean trout, Arctic char, bluefish and striped bass are great substitutes for salmon. Learn more about the different types of fish.


—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor, and Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

3 ounces cooked fish: 225 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.