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Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
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Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon

This quick and easy Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon is pan-seared to perfection and finished with a sweet and savory glaze. The sticky sauce, made with brown sugar, soy, lemon, garlic, and fresh ginger, delivers rich flavor in every bite. It's a crowd-pleasing 30-minute dish perfect for weeknight dinners or a casual dinner party. Serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy salmon dinner, glazed salmon, pan seared salmon, sweet and savory salmon
Servings: 4
Calories: 284kcal

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

  • 1 pound fresh salmon cut into 4 equal pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter divided

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chicken broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

Prep the Salmon:

  • Remove salmon from the fridge 15–20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
  • Pat dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Make the Sauce:

  • In a bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, lemon juice, ginger, Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Set aside.

Sear the Salmon:

  • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Once hot, add salmon skin-side down and sear for about 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, flip the salmon, and cook another 2–3 minutes until nearly cooked through.

Glaze the Salmon:

  • Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt.
  • Pour the sauce into the skillet between the salmon pieces.
  • Let the sauce bubble and thicken for about 20–30 seconds, then remove the skillet from heat.
  • Flip the salmon one more time and spoon the glaze over the top.

Serve:

  • Serve immediately with your favorite sides. The skin will be crispy and flavorful, but can be removed if preferred.

Notes

Adjust cooking time depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets.
Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
For easy grating, freeze fresh ginger and use a Microplane or zester.