Description
A quick and easy 20-minute weeknight dinner featuring salmon fillets coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy brown sugar garlic glaze. Perfect for busy evenings and forgiving for beginners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large salmon fillets (about 6–8 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Rinse salmon fillets under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Place on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side down.
- In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until mostly dissolved.
- Brush the glaze generously over the top of each salmon fillet, ensuring edges are covered. Reserve a small amount for drizzling later if desired.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Internal temperature should reach 135°F-145°F (57°C-63°C).
- Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a darker, crispier crust, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Drizzle with reserved glaze, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve immediately.
Notes
Pat the salmon dry thoroughly before glazing to ensure proper caramelization. If using frozen salmon, add 5-10 minutes to cook time. For a spicy kick, increase red pepper flakes. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a low-sugar version, substitute brown sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet per serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 34
Keywords: salmon, baked salmon, brown sugar garlic, quick dinner, weeknight meals, healthy fish, gluten-free options, keto friendly