Sweet & Savory Brown Sugar Soy Salmon
This irresistible Sweet & Savory Brown Sugar Soy Salmon features flaky salmon fillets coated in a rich, sweet, and savory marinade, then baked or pan-fried to perfection. It's a quick and easy dish that's bursting with flavor!
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Shallow dish or Ziploc bag
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Non-stick skillet
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Salmon Fillets skin-on or off
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar light or dark
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce low-sodium preferred
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger grated
- 1 tbsp Water
- 1 tsp Sesame Oil for finishing, optional
Garnish (Optional)
- Green Onions (scallions) sliced
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Preparation
- Whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves to create the marinade.
- Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish or Ziploc bag and pour the marinade over, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes, avoiding over-marination.
Cooking
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for baking. Alternatively, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of oil for pan-frying.
- For baking, place salmon skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-18 minutes until flaky, optionally broiling for 1-2 minutes for a caramelized crust. For pan-frying, cook salmon skin-side down in the hot skillet for 4-6 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until done.
Serving
- Drizzle with sesame oil, if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving immediately.
Notes
Make sure not to over-marinate the salmon, as the soy sauce can start to cure the fish if left too long. For extra flavor, you can reserve some of the marinade to brush on the salmon during the last few minutes of cooking.