When it comes to whipping up a delicious dinner on a busy weeknight, nothing beats a 15-minute meal. Enter the brown sugar-glazed salmon: flaky, tender, and packed with a savory-sweet punch. With just 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes in the oven, this dish is as quick as it is satisfying. Plus, cleanup is a breeze. The magic happens with a blend of brown sugar, Dijon mustard, lime juice, fish sauce, and the warm, vibrant notes of berbere spice—a traditional Ethiopian seasoning. Let’s dive into the details of this delightful recipe.
Customize Your Glazed Salmon
One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility. Want to swap out the lime for lemon? Go for it. Prefer soy sauce over fish sauce? No problem. You can even replace the berbere with your favorite warm spice blend, like Baharat from the Eastern Mediterranean or Indian garam masala, and still enjoy an amazing meal. Running low on brown sugar? Substitute with honey or maple syrup.
Perfecting the Broil
Broiling is the key to cooking smaller pieces of salmon. It’s fast, requires minimal attention, and the cleanup is easy thanks to a layer of foil. The broiler quickly caramelizes the sugar in the glaze, creating a thick, sticky coating as the salmon cooks. Don’t worry if some of the excess glaze burns on the foil—it won’t affect the salmon’s taste.
Serving Suggestions
To make this a complete meal, pair the glazed salmon with garlicky bok choy and steamed white rice or crispy smashed potatoes. If you’re in need of more quick dinner ideas, be sure to check out our list of 80 speedy recipes.
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp. fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp. homemade or store-bought berbere, baharat, or garam masala spice mix
- 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
- 4 (6-oz.) skin-on salmon fillets
- Kosher salt
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Glaze
Start by placing a rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat the broiler to high. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, Dijon mustard, fish sauce, lime juice, and your chosen spice blend until smooth. Set aside 2 tablespoons of this glaze for serving.
Step 2: Prep the Salmon
Drizzle oil onto a foil-lined baking sheet and spread it to the edges using a pastry brush or paper towel. Season the salmon fillets on all sides with kosher salt and place them skin-side down on the prepared tray. Pour half of the remaining glaze over the salmon.
Step 3: Broil the Salmon
Broil the salmon for about 5 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and pour the rest of the glaze over the salmon. Continue broiling for another 5-6 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is slightly sticky.
Step 4: Serve
Transfer the salmon to a serving platter and drizzle with the reserved 2 tablespoons of glaze.
And there you have it—an effortless, flavor-packed salmon dish ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for those nights when you need a quick, delicious meal without the hassle. Enjoy!