This Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon combines tender, flaky fish with a buttery glaze that balances maple and brown sugar sweetness with savory soy sauce. Made with just five main ingredients, plus olive oil, salt, and pepper, it’s an easy dinner ready in about 20 minutes. It’s a weeknight go-to for us when we’re craving seafood and want something easy but full of flavor. A quick finish under the broiler gives the glaze a glossy, lightly caramelized finish. Brush the glaze on during the final minutes of broiling so the sugars caramelize without burning.
Ingredients for Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
- Salmon: Choose fillets of similar thickness so they cook evenly. Fresh or fully thawed frozen salmon works.
- Butter: Adds richness and forms the base of the glaze.
- Brown sugar: Gives the glaze its caramel-like sweetness. For a less sweet version, reduce it from 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon.
- Pure maple syrup: Adds maple flavor. Agave works in the same amount, although it won’t provide that maple taste.
- Soy sauce or tamari: Adds savory flavor to balance the sweetness. Use gluten-free tamari if needed.
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper: Lightly coat and season the salmon before broiling. Go easy on the salt since the glaze contains soy sauce.
Which salmon should I use?
Choose fillets of similar thickness so they cook evenly. Fresh or frozen salmon works; thaw frozen fillets completely before cooking.
- Atlantic salmon: Rich and buttery, with a higher-fat texture.
- Sockeye salmon: Firm, deep red, and more pronounced in flavor.
- Coho salmon: A milder option with a firm, flaky texture.
Tips for a glossy glaze
Pat the salmon dry before seasoning. Brush the glaze over the top during the final minutes of cooking, then watch closely, it can go from bubbling to burned quickly under the broiler.
Similar fillets: Portion weight alone won’t tell you how long to cook the fish. A thin, wide fillet cooks faster than a thick piece of the same weight.
Substitutions and sweetness
No maple syrup? Substitute the same amount of agave syrup. I have tried it both ways and it will still turn out great but the glaze will not have a maple flavor.
Prefer less sweetness? Reduce the brown sugar from 2 tablespoons to 1 tablespoon. This will also make the glaze less thick.
Soy sauce or tamari? Either works here. Use a gluten-free tamari if needed, and season the fish lightly with salt because the glaze already contains a salty ingredient.
What to serve with glazed salmon
I really like serving this with rice and asparagus, green beans, or broccoli. The rice catches the extra glaze, while the vegetables balance the richness. Roasted potatoes or a crisp green salad also work well. Add lemon wedges for anyone who likes a little brightness with the sweet glaze.
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Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon Recipe
- Total Time: 17 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Tender broiled salmon with a buttery maple, brown sugar, and soy glaze that caramelizes under the broiler. Made with five main ingredients, plus oil, salt, and pepper, this easy dinner is ready in about 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, about 4 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for lightly brushing
Instructions
- Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the broiler on High, or to 500°F if your broiler allows a temperature setting.
- Pat the salmon dry and place it skin-side down, if using skin-on fillets, in a broiler-safe cast-iron skillet or metal pan. Lightly brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar, maple syrup, and soy sauce until combined and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat.
- Broil the salmon until nearly cooked through, approximately 8–10 minutes for fillets about 1 inch thick. Start checking thinner fillets after 5–6 minutes.
- Brush the glaze over the salmon. Return to the broiler for another 1–2 minutes, watching closely, until the glaze bubbles and begins to caramelize and the thickest part of the salmon reaches 145°F.
- Spoon any reserved glaze over the salmon, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Cooking time varies with fillet thickness and broiler strength. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness.
Agave syrup can replace the maple syrup in equal amounts; the flavor will change.
For a less sweet glaze, reduce the brown sugar to 1 tablespoon.
If you want extra glaze for serving, set aside a clean portion before brushing the fish.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
This was delicious!! Thank you.
Turned out amazing