This easy Broiled Salmon recipe is a flavorful, fuss-free dinner that delivers a lightly crisped exterior and a tender, juicy interior. It’s seasoned simply and comes together quickly, making it a perfect weeknight option.
Salmon sometimes gets unfairly labeled as bland or strictly “health food,” but when prepared well it’s rich, versatile, and satisfying. Broiling gives salmon a beautiful caramelized crust while keeping the inside moist—especially when a touch of brown sugar is included for extra caramelization.
Why You’ll Love This Broiled Salmon Recipe
- Versatile: Salmon absorbs marinades, glazes, and rubs easily, so you can change the flavor profile with minimal effort.
- Fast and Easy: Broiling is quick and requires little hands-on time—this dinner is ready in minutes.
- Great Texture: Broiling creates a crisp, caramelized outer layer while keeping the inside flaky and succulent. The brown sugar in this recipe helps produce a delicious, irresistible crust.
What You’ll Need
Besides the salmon, gather these pantry-friendly ingredients. Exact amounts appear in the recipe card below.
- Salmon: One whole fillet (about 18–20 ounces) or four individual fillets (4–5 ounces each).
- Olive oil
- Garlic, minced
- Brown sugar
- Lemon juice
- Soy sauce: Low sodium recommended so you can control seasoning.
- Seasonings: Dried parsley, thyme, oregano, plus salt and pepper.
- Garnish (optional): Fresh lemon slices and chopped parsley.
How to Cook Salmon
- Prep: Preheat your broiler and lightly grease a metal baking pan with cooking spray. Position the oven rack about 5 inches below the broiler.
- Mix: Whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice, soy sauce, dried parsley, thyme, salt, oregano, and pepper until well combined.
- Coat: Place the salmon in the bowl or brush the mixture over the fillets, coating evenly.
- Broil: Transfer the salmon to the prepared pan and broil for 12–15 minutes, or until the top is browned and the fish is cooked through. Broiling time may vary by oven—watch closely to avoid overcooking.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Preheat the broiler: Allow the broiler to heat for about five minutes for consistent results.
- Stay nearby: Broiling works fast and can go from caramelized to overly crisp in moments. Keep an eye on the salmon while it cooks.
- Avoid glass pans: Use a metal baking pan under the broiler; glass can crack under high direct heat.
What to Serve With Broiled Salmon
This salmon pairs well with a green vegetable and a light starch such as lemon-herb rice, quinoa, or roasted potatoes. It also works nicely over pasta, zoodles, or on a salad.
Favorite vegetable sides:
- Roasted or steamed broccoli
- Sautéed green beans with lemon and garlic
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Baked asparagus
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Store cooled salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Leftover salmon is delicious cold on salads.
- Reheat gently in a low oven to avoid drying the fish—warm until just heated through.
More Easy Salmon Recipes
- Salmon Florentine
- Brown Sugar Grilled Salmon
- Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
Tender Broiled Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole salmon fillet (18-20 ounces),or 4 individual salmon fillets, each weighing about 4 to 5 ounces
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic,minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- lemon slices,for serving
- chopped fresh parsley,for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat broiler.
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Grease a metal baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
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In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, brown sugar, lemon juice, soy sauce, parsley, thyme, salt, oregano, and pepper.
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Coat the salmon evenly with the mixture.
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Place salmon on the prepared pan.
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Broil 12–15 minutes, until browned and cooked through.
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Remove from oven and garnish with lemon slices and parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary depending on ingredients and tools used.
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