Brown Sugar Baked Salmon
- PREP 10min
- COOK 15min
- TOTAL 25min
My family loves this easy brown sugar salmon recipe! As the salmon bakes in the oven, the brown sugar rub melts and caramelizes into a delicious, sweet, smoky glaze. To make this a sheet pan dinner, toss your favorite veggies onto the baking sheet with the salmon. The article above has suggestions for which veggies work well in this recipe.
You Will Need
For the Salmon
4 salmon fillets, preferably wild-caught, about 6 ounces each
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or substitute chipotle powder for a spicier version
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Half of a lemon, quartered
For the Beans
3/4 pound green beans or quick cooking veggie
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Set aside a large rimmed baking sheet.
Mix 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a small bowl.
Pat the salmon fillets dry and rub them with olive oil.
Scatter the brown sugar rub over the salmon, and gently massage it into the fish. Swipe the skin side of the salmon through any spice rub that’s fallen onto the cutting board. If you have the time, marinate the salmon for 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the salmon fillets, skin-side down, to the baking sheet.
Toss the beans with a tablespoon of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and then scatter them around the salmon on the baking sheet.
Bake the salmon until it is cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes, depending on its thickness. We cook salmon until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 125°F.
Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the salmon.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- How to tell when salmon is cooked: Cook salmon to 125°F (51°C), which means it will be soft, tender, and slightly pink in the center. For a visual cue, look for the flesh to be somewhat opaque. Also, when inserting a fork into the salmon, it should flake easily.
- Baking time: Depending on the type and thickness of the salmon you are baking, cook time will vary. The cook times suggested above are for middle cut fillets, about 1-inch thick. For thinner fillets or end pieces, check the salmon a bit earlier. For thicker fillets, you may need an additional 5 to 10 minutes of bake time.
- Veggies: Try green beans, chopped zucchini, snap peas, bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes. Heartier veggies like broccoli will take longer, so partially bake them for 10 to 15 minutes before adding the salmon to the baking sheet.
- Storing: Baked salmon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 10 to 15 minutes.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.