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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 a crisp and finished with a sweet, savory glaze. With a sticky sauce made from brown sugar, soy sauce, lemon, and fresh ginger, this dish is full of bold flavor yet light enough for a weeknight meal. It pairs beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad for a satisfying and well-rounded dinner.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 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 the salmon from the fridge 15–20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
  • Pat each piece dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.

Make the Sauce:

  • In a small 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, place the salmon skin-side down and sear for about 5 minutes, until the skin is crisp.
  • Reduce the heat to medium, flip the salmon, and cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until just cooked through.

Glaze the Salmon:

  • Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt.
  • Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet between the salmon pieces.
  • Let it bubble and thicken for 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 choice of sides. The skin will be crispy and flavorful, but it can be removed if preferred.

Notes

Adjust the cooking time if your salmon is thinner or thicker than 1 inch.
Avoid overcrowding the pan—sear in batches if needed for best results.
Freeze fresh ginger for easier grating using a Microplane or zester.