Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This Brown Sugar Salmon recipe is so simple yet so delicious! Start with a marinade made with brown sugar, soy sauce, and bourbon to add lots of flavor. After marinating, glazing, and baking, you’ll have the perfect bourbon-glazed salmon that everyone is sure to love!

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Table of Contents

Why We Love This Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe

The star of this delicious brown sugar salmon recipe is the salmon marinade with brown sugar, bourbon, and soy sauce. The flavor is plenty sweet but balanced out by the salty soy sauce and smooth bourbon.

Variations on Bourbon Glazed Salmon

There are a number of ways to customize this salmon recipe to suit your individual tastes. Not a brown sugar fan? Swap it for honey or maple syrup! You can also use all soy sauce or all Worcestershire sauce depending on what you have in your pantry. Instead of pecans, try walnuts!

Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover brown sugar salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 275°F oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze brown sugar glazed salmon in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this bourbon glazed salmon with basmati rice or chantilly potatoes and brown sugar glazed carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts, or bourbon green beans with bacon!

How long should I let salmon marinate?

Ideally, you’ll want to let this salmon marinate for 3 hours. However, if you’re short on time, as little as 30 minutes will be sufficient!

Is it better to marinate salmon in the fridge or on the counter?

Always marinate salmon in the refrigerator! It is dangerous to marinate it at room temperature, as it could allow bacteria to grow on the salmon.

Should you soak salmon in salt water before cooking?

Nope! There’s no need to soak this salmon before cooking, especially since we are marinating it!

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More Baked Salmon Recipes To Try

  • Baked Salmon and Asparagus
  • Parmesan Crusted Salmon
  • Lemon Butter Salmon
  • Maple Glazed Salmon
  • Pesto Salmon
  • Honey Mustard Salmon
  • Miso Salmon
  • Caprese Stuffed Salmon
  • Sheet Pan Lemon Salmon

5-Star Review

“We eat salmon frequently and I needed a change from my usual recipes and I’m so glad I tried this one- it was amazing! I never would have thought to use the pecans as a topping. A new go to for my family for sure!” – Melissa Rankin

Recipe

Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe

4.52 from 202 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

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Serves4

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This brown sugar salmon is so flavorful, so sweet, so crunchy…it's just plain delicious! Serve it along with veggies, salad, rice, or another favorite side dish.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
  • ½ cup chopped pecans toasted
  • 2 pounds salmon filets

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

For the Marinade

  • Combine all ingredients except the pecans and salmon in a bowl.

    ½ cup brown sugar, 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons bourbon

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  • Place half of the marinade and the salmon in a Ziplock bag. Squeeze out the air and zip the bag tightly.

    2 pounds salmon filets

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  • Set aside the other half of the marinade to use as a glaze.

  • Marinate the Salmon for 1-3 hours. Flip the bag every ½ hour or so to marinate evenly.

For the Glaze

  • Place the remaining half of the marinade in a small saucepan on the stove.

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the temperature to low and simmer until the mixture thickens and reduces a little.

    Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

  • While the glaze is simmering, preheat the oven to 400°F.

For the Pecan Topping

  • Place the chopped pecans on a flat baking sheet which has been covered with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

    ½ cup chopped pecans

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  • Toast the pecan for 3-5 minutes, until they darken a little and they start to smell sooo good. Watch closely – the nuts can burn quickly!

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For the Salmon

  • Cover a baking dish or pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil-covered pan with nonstick spray.

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  • Take the salmon out of the marinade and discard the marinade.

  • Place the Salmon (skin-side down) on the prepared pan.

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  • Sprinkle the salmon with the toasted pecans pressing the pecans firmly into the salmon.

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  • Brush or spoon ⅓ of the glaze onto the salmon.

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  • Place the salmon in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily. Re-glaze the salmon with the glaze every 8-10 minutes (about 3 times).

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Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • I recommend wild-caught Alaskan salmon for the best taste. Make sure to remove any bones!
  • The easiest way to see if your salmon has finished cooking is to gently press down on the top of the fillet with a fork or your finger. If the flesh of the salmon flakes, it’s finished cooking.
  • The proper internal temperature of cooked salmon is 145°F.

Storage:Store brown sugar salmon in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5pound Calories: 578kcal (29%) Carbohydrates: 33g (11%) Protein: 52g (104%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Cholesterol: 125mg (42%) Sodium: 2442mg (106%) Potassium: 1459mg (42%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 28g (31%) Vitamin A: 102IU (2%) Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) Calcium: 84mg (8%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (19)

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How to Make Brown Sugar Salmon Step by Step

Make the Marinade: Combine ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of bourbon in a bowl.

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Marinate the Salmon: Place half of the marinade and 2 pounds of salmon filets in a Ziplock bag. Squeeze out the air and zip the bag tightly. Set aside the other half of the marinade to use as a glaze. Marinate the Salmon for 1-3 hours. Flip the bag every ½ hour or so to marinate evenly.

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Simmer the Glaze: Place the remaining half of the marinade in a small saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil, then reduce the temperature to low and simmer until the mixture thickens and reduces a little.

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Preheat the Oven: While the glaze is simmering, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place ½ cup of chopped pecans on a flat baking sheet which has been covered with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

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Toast the Pecans: Toast the pecans for 3-5 minutes, until they darken a little and they start to smell sooo good. Watch closely – the nuts can burn quickly!

Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (24)

Prepare the Baking Pan: Cover a baking dish or pan with aluminum foil and spray the foil-covered pan with nonstick spray

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.

Discard the Marinade: Take the salmon out of the marinade and discard the marinade.

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Top the Salmon: Place the Salmon (skin-side down) on the prepared pan. Sprinkle the salmon with the toasted pecans pressing the pecans firmly into the salmon.

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Add the Glaze: Brush or spoon ⅓ of the glaze onto the salmon.

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Cook the Salmon: Place the salmon in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily. Re-glaze the salmon with the glaze every 8-10 minutes (about 3 times).

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Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (30)

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Brown Sugar Salmon Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Should you sear salmon before baking? ›

Roasting salmon fillets in the oven gives you beautiful, succulent fish that doesn't require constant attention. This method, which we recommend if you're cooking four or fewer fillets, has you sear the fish in a pan on the stovetop first, which crisps the skin delectably.

Should you bake salmon covered or uncovered? ›

Baked salmon is best when cooked at 425°F in the oven.

Even thicker fillets don't take long. We recommend baking the salmon uncovered. Simply rub the fillets with a little oil, sprinkle them with salt and pepper, then place them in the roasting pan skin-side down before popping them in the oven.

What happens if you don't rinse salmon before cooking? ›

Salmon does not need to be rinsed before cooking, says Dr. Farzad, who points out that, “food safety guidelines suggest that rinsing meat including fish/salmon can increase the risk of spreading pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria around your kitchen.”

Is it better to pan fry or oven bake salmon? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

What is the tastiest way to cook salmon? ›

Slow Roast:
  1. Heat the oven to 275°F.
  2. Place a salmon fillet in a baking dish. Rub all over with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Roast until salmon flakes easily, or a thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 120°F (about 30 minutes for a 6-ounce fillet).
May 13, 2020

What is the white stuff coming out of my salmon? ›

The white stuff that oozes out of salmon is called albumin, a type of protein in the fish (other foods with albumin include eggs, beef and milk). You can't see albumin when the fish is raw—it only appears when the salmon is exposed to heat. As salmon cooks, the albumin turns from its liquid state into a semi-solid one.

What should I season my salmon with? ›

Salmon does not need much seasoning to be flavorful. You can season it with just salt and black pepper or with a combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, butter, minced garlic, and any other flavors you desire. 3. Dry the salmon to ensure crispy skin.

Should salmon be cooked skin up or down in oven? ›

Always bake salmon with the skin side down as this will help protect the fillet from the heat of the pan and it will help the salmon retain its juices and cook evenly. When it's time to serve the salmon, the skin will come off really easily as you slide a spatula between the fillet and the skin.

What are the three basic ingredients in glaze? ›

A BASE GLAZE is a mixture of these three basic groups: SILICA, FLUX AND ALUMINA.

Can you substitute whiskey for bourbon in a glaze? ›

Swapping out whiskey for bourbon in a recipe couldn't be easier. The two can be substituted ounce for ounce, so you don't even need to do any extra converting to use one instead of the other.

Is Jack Daniel's bourbon? ›

The short answer is, no, Jack Daniel's is a Tennessee whiskey. The slightly longer answer is yes, because Tennessee whiskey is a subtype of bourbon that meets all of the legal requirements for the spirit, but has additional requirements specific to its production in Tennessee.

Should you bake or convection bake salmon? ›

King salmon, Atlantic and Sockeye salmon are all good choices for oven broiling or for cooking at higher heat in the Convection Roast mode. They all have a decent fat content and only need a little added brush of oil or clarified butter (ghee) to ensure crisping. The timing will depend on the thickness of the cut.

How do you pan sear salmon Bobby Flay? ›

Add the avocado oil to a saute pan over medium high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, place the salmon, flesh side down and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Using a pair of tongs, carefully flip salmon over and continue to cook skin side down for another minute or so.

What is the best temp to bake salmon? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

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