Soy Glazed Salmon

Name: Soy Glazed Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillet; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; white sesame (for garnishing); chopped parsley (for garnishing)

ByRasa Malaysia

4.50 from 165 votes

Published Jul 10, 2019

Updated Nov 21, 2024

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This oven-baked soy glazed salmon is a quick, easy, and healthy meal perfect for any day of the week! Fresh and tender salmon fillets coated in a sweet, savory, and incredibly flavorful soy sauce glaze, prepped and baked in just 30 minutes!

Easy and quick soy glazed salmon in a sheet pan.

Ingredients
Variations
What To Buy: Wild Or Farmed Salmon
Which Cut Of Salmon To Buy
How To Make This Recipe
Helpful Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Serve With This Recipe
Other Recipes You Might Like
Soy Glazed Salmon Recipe

Salmon is easily one of my favorite proteins to cook and eat! It’s healthy, versatile, and so easy to prep even for a busy weeknight meal. You can pan-fry, bake, grill, and even poach salmon, and it will still turn out delicious!

If you only have 30 minutes to make dinner, this baked soy sauce salmon recipe is perfect in every way. The ingredients are simple and accessible, the prep time is insanely short, and the flavors are absolutely amazing!

Want to try some of my best fish recipes ever? Consider Ginger Soy Fish, Baked Cod, or Lemon Butter Swai Fish next time!

Ingredients

Salmon – I use fresh, skin-on salmon fillets for this recipe. They’re not as thick as other cuts so they cook faster and more evenly in the oven. Frozen salmon works just as well!
Soy sauce – gives the dish its signature salty and umami flavor. I use regular or light soy sauce in most of my recipes.
Oyster sauce – adds a depth of flavor to the glaze. It’s also slightly sweet, so it balances out the saltiness from the soy sauce.
Sesame oil – a must in most Asian dishes! It adds a nutty, toasty, and aromatic flavor to the glaze. You can easily find this in regular supermarkets or Asian grocery stores.
Brown sugar – gives the glaze its sweet and caramelized taste. I prefer using brown sugar over white for a more complex flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.

Variations

Sweetener. Substitute the brown sugar with honey for a sticky and sweet glaze, just like in Honey Teriyaki Salmon and Honey Garlic Butter Salmon. Maple syrup is another good option for a deeper, more complex flavor.
Extra spicy. Instead of red pepper flakes, use sriracha to make Honey Sriracha Salmon or Garlic Sriracha Salmon.
Miso. Add some miso paste to the glaze for an extra umami flavor, similar to my Miso Glazed Salmon.
Citrus. Squeeze in some fresh lime juice for a zesty and tangy twist like in this Sriracha Lime Salmon. You can also mix in orange juice to make an Orange Teriyaki Glaze.
Veggies. Make this sheet pan soy glazed salmon with bok choy, broccoli, or asparagus. Just toss the vegetables in olive oil and place them around the salmon fillets before baking.

What To Buy: Wild Or Farmed Salmon

Close up of healthy homemade baked salmon with a sticky and dark soy sauce glaze.

I have lived in California for 25 years, and the salmon I always get is Pacific salmon. Most Pacific salmon are wild, but some are farmed.

There’s also Atlantic salmon, which is now an endangered species due to over fishing and habitat destruction.

If you can find wild-caught Pacific salmon, that is always the best option. It has a more vibrant color, firmer texture, and richer flavor compared to farmed salmon.

However, farmed salmon can still be a good alternative. Make sure to buy from a reputable source such as those imported from Norway. You can also look for labels that indicate sustainable farming practices.

Which Cut Of Salmon To Buy

If you have access to a fish market, you can buy a whole salmon and cut it into fillets yourself. But if that’s not an option, you can always buy pre-cut fillets from your local supermarket or grocery store.

Here are a few of the most common cuts you can choose from:

Salmon fillet – flat and not as thick as other cuts. I recommend using salmon filler for this baked salmon soy sauce recipe.
Salmon steak – a thick, cross-section cut around the fish that looks like a piece of steak. It usually has a bone in the center. You may need to increase the cooking time if you’re using it in this recipe.
Supreme cut – a boneless cut from salmon fillet, which is usually rectangular in shape. It’s considered a prime cut for fillets, so it’s also a good option for this recipe.

How To Make This Recipe

I have tried all kinds of salmon recipes, from pan-seared to grilled ones, but this baked salmon with soy sauce and brown sugar glaze is by far my favorite!

The Asian soy sauce glaze is so easy to make, even for beginners, and it has a savory, caramelized flavor that pairs perfectly with the mild yet buttery flavor of salmon.

Here’s how to make this easy soy glazed salmon in the oven:

Patting dry a salmon fillet with tissue.

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse the salmon with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into two pieces if they are too big. Transfer the salmon fillets (skin side down) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

Step 2: Combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes together. Stir to mix well.

Step 3: Brush the soy sauce mixture on the surface of the salmon fillets.

Cooked soy glazed salmon with sesame seeds, parsley, and lemon on the side.

Step 4: Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through. Top the salmon with white sesame seeds and parsley and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips

The fresher the salmon, the better! Use wild-caught salmon for maximum flavor, but you can also use farmed.
I don’t recommend covering the salmon while baking. The glaze needs to thicken and caramelize, which won’t happen in 20 minutes if it is covered.
Don’t overcook the salmon. It should be tender and flaky, not dry. Take it out of the oven when the salmon’s internal temperature is close to 145°F.
Another way to check for doneness is by gently flaking the salmon with a fork. If it flakes easily, it’s ready to be taken out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can salmon marinate in soy sauce?

In this recipe, I’m only using glaze on the salmon, so there is no need for marination. However, you can still marinate the salmon for no longer than 30 minutes.

Should I bake salmon covered or uncovered?

Some people prefer to bake their salmon covered with foil, while others prefer to leave it uncovered. I chose to bake this soy salmon uncovered as it allows the glaze to caramelize in just 20 minutes. The glaze gives the salmon a nice finish while keeping it moist and tender on the inside.

What is the white stuff coming out of my salmon?

The white substance that sometimes oozes out of salmon while cooking is called albumin. It is a natural protein in fish, and it tends to coagulate when heated, causing it to leak out of the flesh. While it may not look the most appetizing, it is completely harmless and can be easily wiped off after cooking.

How many calories per serving?

This soy glazed salmon recipe has 267 calories per serving.

Flaking cooked salmon fillet with a fork.

What To Serve With This Recipe

For a quick yet wholesome dinner, I recommend the following recipes:

Ginger Soy Bok Choy

Garlic Green Beans

Sauteed Asparagus

Garlic Sesame Noodles

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.

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4.50 from 165 votes