Brown Sugar Salmon

Brown Sugar Salmon is a super way to prepare fresh salmon. Salmon is baked with a simple mixture of brown sugar, butter and simple spices. This salmon recipe is a perfect 30 minute meal idea for any night of the week!

How to Cook Salmon in the Oven

Cooking salmon in the oven is so easy to do and is really hands off. To cook this brown sugar salmon recipe in the oven start with a salmon filet that is 2 to 2 1/2 pounds. The salmon can be either skin on or skin off, I usually purchase salmon with the skin on.

Preheat the oven to 425º F while you prepare the salmon. Remove the salmon from the packaging and pat dry with a paper towel. Place the salmon on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil, lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

This will also help A TON with clean up after the salmon is done baking. Just remove the foil from the pan and discard.

To season the salmon sprinkle with garlic powder and sea salt. Top with the brown sugar and place the butter slices across the top of the salmon. The butter will melt down as the salmon cooks basting the salmon and adding flavor and moisture.

Pull up the sides of the foil on both sides on the salmon, creating a tent over the salmon. Crimp together the ends of the foil sealing them together to keep the heat and steam inside the foil while the salmon cooks.

How Long to Cook Salmon in the Oven

Place the prepared brown sugar salmon in the oven set to 425º F and bake for 20-25 minutes. Bake the salmon until becomes a lighter pink, almost opaque in color. The salmon should flake easily with you place a fork into it and pull.

If the salmon is still uncooked in the center, fold back up the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Another way to check for the doneness of the salmon is with an instant read thermometer. The temperature on the thermometer should read between 125 and 145. The USDA recommends cooking the salmon to an internal temperature of 145ºF, however that usually results in a pretty dry salmon.

This is the Instant Read Thermometer I use: (affiliate links)

• Thermapen ONE 

I like to cook the salmon to 130ºF and then let it rest for about 5 minutes. The salmon will continue to cook and come up in temperature as it rests.

Carefully open the foil as it will be hot and steam will release as you open the foil tent. Spoon the brown sugar butter over the top of the salmon and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

How to store leftover salmon

If you have leftover salmon, or maybe you made this to eat throughout the week. Store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

This recipe can also be frozen after it has been cooked. Allow to cool and place in a plastic freezer bag or vacuum sealed plastic bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Other Salmon Recipes to Try:

We love simple salmon recipes on busy weeknights because they usually come together quickly and take just a few ingredients like this Pesto Salmon, Easy Baked Salmon, or Cast Iron Salmon.

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Brown Sugar Salmon is a super way to prepare fresh salmon. Salmon is baked with a simple mixture of brown sugar, butter and simple spices. This salmon recipe is a perfect 30 minute meal idea for any night of the week!

What to serve with Oven Baked Brown Sugar Salmon:

Some of our favorite side dishes to this simple salmon recipe are:

• Garlic Butter Broccoli
• Greek Garden Salad
• Sautéed Asparagus with Lemon