This easy brown sugar salmon is a flavorful, fuss-free recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes. With a caramelized glaze made from brown sugar, Dijon mustard, lime juice, and fish sauce, this dish balances sweet, salty, and tangy notes beautifully. A hint of warm spice from berbere or garam masala adds depth, while broiling gives the salmon a perfectly crisp and sticky finish. Ideal for busy weeknights or elegant dinners, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal using pantry staples. Pair it with rice, veggies, or salad for a complete, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
4 (6-oz) skin-on salmon fillets
Kosher salt, to taste
6 tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
½ tsp berbere, baharat, or garam masala (optional)
1 tbsp neutral oil (for greasing)
Directions
Preheat the broiler on high and position rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly oil it.
Season salmon with salt and place skin-side down on the sheet.
In a bowl, whisk brown sugar, Dijon, fish sauce, lime juice, and spice mix. Reserve 2 tbsp of glaze for serving.
Brush salmon with half of the remaining glaze.
Broil for 5 minutes, remove, brush on the rest of the glaze, and broil for another 5–6 minutes until caramelized and cooked through.
Serve with the reserved glaze drizzled on top.
Nutrients (per serving)
Calories: ~442 kcal
Protein: ~34 g
Fat: ~26 g
Carbs: ~14 g (fiber ~0 g, sugar ~12 g)
Sodium: ~660 mg
Cholesterol: ~85 mg