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Square overhead shot of bourbon glazed salmon in a skillet with a side of bread and green beans
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5 from 2 votes

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

This easy bourbon glazed salmon recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword bourbon glaze for salmon, bourbon glazed salmon, bourbon glazed salmon recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 461kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast iron skillet

Ingredients

  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 large cloves garlic, grated or minced (about 2 teaspoons total)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

  • Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
    Seasoning salmon with salt and pepper.
  • Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the broiler. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, and green onions.
    Whisking bourbon glaze for salmon recipe in a small green bowl.
  • Add the butter and oil to a large, oven-safe skillet (at least 12 inches) over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts, whisk in the bourbon mixture. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, whisking constantly, for about 1-2 minutes. Add the salmon, skin side down (if using salmon with skin); cook for 3 minutes. Baste the salmon with the sauce by spooning the sauce over the salmon periodically as it cooks.
    Spooning bourbon glaze for salmon recipe in a skillet
  • Transfer the skillet to the middle rack under the broiler. Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes, basting with the bourbon glaze about halfway through, until the salmon is caramelized on top and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
    Overhead shot of a skillet of bourbon glazed salmon on a table.

Notes

    • If you’re starting with frozen salmon, let the salmon thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using in this recipe.
    • Pat the fish dry with paper towels before seasoning.
    • Use a cast iron skillet that's at least 12-inches in diameter. This allows for plenty of space in between salmon fillets, which helps the fish cook evenly and crisp on the edges (rather than steam). This is the skillet shown here.
    • If you don't have an oven-proof skillet, transfer the salmon and the glaze to a baking dish or other oven-safe pan before placing it under the broiler.
    • Broil the fish on the middle rack in the oven. If the salmon is on the top rack (closest to the broiler flame), the glaze will burn before the fish cooks through.
    • The total cooking time will vary depending on the size, temperature, and thickness of your fish when it goes under the broiler. As a result, keep a close eye on the salmon and remove it as soon as the outside is crisp and the inside flakes easily with a fork. If using a meat thermometer, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 145°F in the thickest part of the fish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the salmon and glaze | Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 703mg | Potassium: 951mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 303IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg