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A perfectly cooked brown sugar and soy sauce salmon fillet with a sticky glaze.

Sweet & Savory Brown Sugar Soy Salmon

This Sweet & Savory Brown Sugar Soy Salmon recipe features tender salmon fillets marinated in a delectable blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then baked to perfection and glazed with the reduced sauce for an irresistible meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 fillets
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • whisk
  • shallow dish or resealable bag
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper or aluminum foil
  • small saucepan

Ingredients
  

Salmon

  • 1.5 lbs salmon fillets skin on or off

Marinade & Glaze

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar light or dark
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated or finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Optional Garnishes

  • sesame seeds
  • chopped green onions

Instructions
 

Marinade Preparation

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until the sugar dissolves to create your marinade and glaze base.

Marinating the Salmon

  • Place salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour half of the marinade over the salmon, ensuring even coating, and marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator, reserving the remaining marinade for the sauce.

Preheat Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Baking the Salmon

  • Remove salmon from the marinade, place on the baking sheet, and bake for 12-18 minutes until cooked through and flaky, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).

Prepare the Glaze

  • While salmon bakes, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly into a syrupy glaze without burning.

Serving

  • Transfer cooked salmon to plates, drizzle generously with the warm glaze, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired; serve immediately with your preferred sides.

Notes

For crisper skin, ensure your salmon fillets are patted dry before marinating.