salmon bourbon glaze recipe

Salmon with Bourbon Sauce is easy enough to eat on a weeknight, yet fancy enough to share with friends. Adding a naughty twist to salmon makes it even more delicious. In this case, drink a glass of bourbon. After cooking the salmon, use the same skillet to make a quick sauce using the aforementioned Southern spirits, brown sugar, soy sauce, and orange slices. Equal parts sweet, salty, and tangy, this sauce comes together in minutes and creates the perfect contrast to the rich salmon.

Learn how to make salmon with bourbon sauce. Paired with a simple side salad, this quick weeknight dinner is ready in just 20 minutes, yet elegant enough to display on a date night table.

Bourbon Glazed Salmon Ingredients

Powerful ingredients like soy sauce and honey make seared salmon even more special. Here’s what you need to cook salmon with bourbon sauce:

• Olive oil: To brown the salmon fillets, use a neutral oil such as olive oil. Other good oils include avocado oil, grapeseed oil, and canola oil.
• Skinless salmon fillet: We prefer wild salmon. Salmon has more flavor and is better for the planet. It can be fresh or frozen.
• Black pepper and salt: For seasoning salmon.
• orange: Adding zest to a bourbon glaze creates a wonderful floral flavor. The slices also brighten up by simmering them in the glaze.
• Bourbon: Use your favorite brand. You can also use whiskey if you have it. Make bourbon chicken with the leftovers. If you’re craving something sweet, try the Mint Julep Brownie with Bourbon.
• Honey: You can use any honey, whether it’s a special honey from a nearby farm or standard honey popular at the grocery store. The more flavor the honey has, the more flavor the sauce will have.
• Light brown sugar: Brown sugar comes in handy here too. Both add a rich, molasses-like flavor to the glaze.
• soy sauce: This gives the glaze plenty of salty umami flavor and helps balance out the sweetness of the honey and sugar.
• Unsalted butter: When you stir in the butter at the end, the butter will emulsify in the glaze, making it thick and clinging to the fish.
• Fresh chives: Sprinkle over the fish before serving. The delicate onion flavor contrasts beautifully with the rich bourbon glaze.
• Flaky sea salt: Adding salt at the end awakens the flavor of the entire dish.

How to make salmon with bourbon sauce

Grab your frying pan! His 20-minute recipe for salmon with bourbon sauce comes together quickly, so make sure all sides are equally easy. Keep scrolling for the full recipe and some eating suggestions.

• Step 1. Cook the salmon. Heat the oil in a frying pan and sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper. Brown the salmon on both sides and cook until the salmon reaches 130°F (about 7 minutes). However, note that the cooking time for salmon depends on the thickness of the fish, so it is wise to use a probe thermometer to avoid overcooking the fish. Once cooked, transfer the salmon to a plate and set aside.
• Step 2. Prepare the oranges. While the pan cools slightly (this will help prevent the glaze from burning), remove the zest from the oranges and cut the orange halves into half moons. If you have half an orange left over, throw it into a refreshing cocktail like a Bourbon Tea Refresher to enjoy after dinner.
• Step 3. Make the glaze: Return the nonstick frying pan to the stove and wipe it clean. Add the bourbon, honey, brown sugar, and soy sauce to the pan along with the orange slices. Bring to a boil and cook for about 2 minutes or until the glaze begins to thicken. Return the salmon to the skillet and spoon the glaze over the fish.
• Step 4. Finish: Remove the pan from the heat and stir until the butter is melted and mixed with the remaining sauce. To serve, be sure to scoop all the sauce over the fish and garnish with chives and flaky sea salt.

Salmon bourbon sauce variations

If you’d like to modify this recipe a bit, here are some ideas from our test kitchen.

• Sugar replacement: Use maple syrup instead of honey. It’s still sweet, but the addition of maple syrup gives the glaze a slightly different flavor.
• Herbal changes: Substitute parsley or coriander for chives for a wonderful refreshing effect.
• Bourbon bump: If you don’t have bourbon or whiskey, this recipe works just as well with cognac.

How to store and reheat leftover salmon

It’s not a good idea to make the bourbon glazed salmon in advance. Fish tastes best when served immediately after cooking. Additionally, the glaze will thicken too much while stored in the refrigerator.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat at least 350°F until warmed through.

What to eat with salmon with bourbon sauce

Salmon is fast, so the sides should be fast too. Here are some of our favorite easy side dishes.