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A perfectly cooked brown sugar and soy sauce salmon fillet with a sticky glaze.

Effortless Brown Sugar & Soy Sauce Salmon

This effortless recipe features tender salmon fillets marinated in a savory-sweet brown sugar and soy sauce mixture, then perfectly baked or pan-seared for a quick and delicious meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 4 fillets
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • whisk
  • shallow dish or Ziploc bag
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • large non-stick skillet

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets about 6 ounces each, with or without skin
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar light or dark
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil olive oil or avocado oil
  • scallions sliced for garnish (optional)
  • sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a medium bowl until blended.
  • Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish or Ziploc bag, pour the marinade over them, and marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature.

Cooking (Baking and Pan-Searing Methods)

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for baking, or heat a large non-stick skillet with neutral oil over medium-high heat for pan-searing.
  • For baking, place marinated salmon skin-side down on the baking sheet and bake for 12-18 minutes until opaque and flaky, basting halfway if desired.
  • For pan-searing, place salmon skin-side down in the hot pan and cook for 4-6 minutes per side until skin is crispy and salmon is cooked through, spooning extra marinade over it as it cooks.

Serving

  • Remove the cooked salmon from the heat, let it rest for a minute or two, then garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not marinate the salmon for longer than 30 minutes, as the acidity in the marinade can start to break down the fish. Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference. Serving with rice and steamed vegetables makes for a complete meal.