Recipe Background
Easy Broiled Salmon combines sweet and savory in a quick, one-pan wonder.
Years ago, I had just landed my first job in a bustling city and was about to embark on a journey of independence. The pay wasn’t much, but I was eager to celebrate my little victory. I remember heading to the local market and picking up a few affordable ingredients. Salmon was on sale, and it felt like the perfect time to try making something special yet simple. A bottle of soy sauce always sat in the little shelf of my fridge, and my pantry was never without brown sugar and olive oil. Over the years, these pantry staples have been true friends for quick, flavorful dinners. That evening, I whisked together a glaze, spirited by the bright pop of lemon zest, a new indulgence I’d discovered that year.
Determined to impress myself, I marinated the salmon fillets with the concoction, letting the sweet and savory blend seep into them. In my tiny kitchen, with the broiler set and my expectation soaring as high as a skyscraper window, I drizzled the salmon with a hint of extra lemon juice before broiling it to perfection. Quickly chopping parsley while the fish bronzed under the heat, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. That simple flaking of the fish with a fork, revealing tenderness I had coaxed out with my own hands, made it worth every moment. For a crisp finish, I learned to tuck in a lemon slice under each fillet as it reached the plate.
That dinner wasn't just a meal; it was a rite of passage, marking the day I celebrated the start of my career. Each time I make this recipe, I’m reminded of that tiny apartment and the joy of simple beginnings.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley chopped, plus more, to taste, for garnish
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 4 (4-6-ounce) salmon fillets
- lemon slices optional, to taste, for serving
Directions
- Preheat the broiler and coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
- Add the olive oil, the brown sugar, the soy sauce, the lemon zest, the lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of the parsley, the thyme, the salt, the pepper, and the garlic together in a medium bowl, whisking to combine.
- Add the salmon fillets, coating them in the glaze.
- Place the coated salmon on the prepared sheet pan and broil until browned and opaque, about 10-15 minutes. The fish should flake easily with a fork.
- Garnish with the extra chopped parsley and the lemon slices and serve.
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