What does brown sugar do to salmon?

Brown sugar helps create a sweet, sticky glaze that caramelizes as the salmon bakes. It balances the savory flavors from the garlic and soy sauce and adds a golden crust to the top of the fish.

How do you make salmon glaze stick?

Start by patting the salmon dry with a paper towel. Then brush it with olive oil before adding the glaze. This helps the glaze stay in place while baking and ensures that it caramelizes beautifully.

Should I bake salmon covered or uncovered?

Always bake brown sugar-glazed salmon uncovered. This allows the glaze to bubble, thicken, and stick to the fish. If you cover it, the steam will make the glaze runny and soft instead of sticky and golden.

What sides go well with brown sugar-glazed salmon?

Great sides include garlic mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, rice pilaf, or a crisp garden salad. The goal is to keep things simple and let the salmon shine with easy, fresh flavors.

Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon – 30-Min Recipe Moms Love

Name: Easy Brown Sugar-Glazed Salmon That Melts in Your Mouth
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (skin on or off); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

This brown sugar-glazed salmon is sweet, savory, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, healthy eating, or impressing guests—ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

4 salmon fillets (skin on or off)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and place them on the sheet.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and mustard.

4. Brush each fillet with olive oil, then spoon glaze over the top and sides.

5. Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

6. Broil for 1–2 minutes if you’d like a caramelized glaze.

7. Serve warm with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Notes

Make the glaze ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

Great with rice, mashed potatoes, or a garden salad.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American