Make Mouthwatering Bourbon Glazed Salmon at Home

One of the best ways to cook salmon is to glaze it, and this Bourbon Glazed Salmon is the newest and best way to get a healthy serving of fish on your plate.

Glaze-baking salmon means brushing it with a sauce and then finishing it in the oven. This method is flexible and almost always works.

There are a lot of different flavor profiles for salmon, from Balsamic Glazed Salmon to Teriyaki Salmon. This will keep your dinner routine interesting.

Bourbon isn’t just for drinking; its slightly smoky, buttery flavor makes it a great addition to food too (just look at this Bourbon Chicken!). ).

If you are new to cooking or eating fish, this is an excellent beginner fish recipe.

This salmon with bourbon glaze is both impressive and surprisingly easy to make. It will make you look like a real chef. The sweet and smoky bourbon glaze goes well with the mild, tender salmon fillets because it has a lot of different flavors. You can make salmon that tastes like it came from a restaurant in less than 30 minutes with just a few simple ingredients and steps.

In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make tender, flaky salmon topped with an incredible bourbon maple glaze. You’ll learn how to select the freshest salmon fillets, make the simple yet scrumptious glaze, and cook the salmon to flaky perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why bourbon glazed salmon should be on your regular dinner rotation

It’s fast – the glaze comes together in just 5 minutes on the stovetop
It’s easy – no marinating required and simple pan searing method.
It’s impressive – looks and tastes gourmet but is surprisingly simple.
It’s versatile – works with any salmon fillet and glaze doubles as a sauce.
It’s customizable – play with different bourbons, spices, herbs and glazes.
It’s delicious! The sweet, smoky, buttery glaze takes salmon to the next level.

Learn how to make flaky, tender, and tasty bourbon-glazed salmon at home by reading on.

Selecting Salmon for the Best Results

The first step in making phenomenal salmon is choosing high-quality fish. Here are a few tips for picking salmon fillets that will yield the best results:

Go Fresh – Fresh fillets will lead to the most tender, flaky texture. Avoid pre-frozen salmon.
Look for Color – The salmon should have a vibrant pink or orange/red hue. Pale fish is a sign of poor quality.
Seek Firmness – The fillets should feel firm yet springy when gently pressed, not mushy.
Watch the Sheen– Salmon with a glossy sheen still has its protective coating intact, signaling freshness.
Consider Sustainability – Opt for wild-caught or sustainably farmed salmon when possible.

I recommend purchasing salmon fillets the day you plan to cook them for ultimate freshness and texture. Fillets that are 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick work best to cook through without drying out.

The Simple, Scrumptious Bourbon Glaze

The bourbon glaze truly takes this salmon over the top. Here’s how to whip up this easy, impressive flavored sauce:

Ingredients

1/2 cup bourbon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine all glaze ingredients.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat and simmer rapidly for 3-5 minutes, until reduced by half.
Remove glaze from heat and set aside.

That’s it! The glaze comes together in just a few minutes on the stove. The bourbon, maple syrup, and brown sugar create a sweet flavor profile, while the Worcestershire, soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar add savory depth and acidity.

Feel free to customize the glaze to your taste – a splash of Sriracha would add a kick, fresh rosemary would provide an herbal note, and orange zest could brighten it up. The possibilities are endless!

Pan Searing 101

Pan searing followed by a short stint in the oven is my favorite way to cook salmon fillets. Here are some tips for perfect pan seared salmon every time:

Use a Nonstick Pan – I prefer a nonstick skillet so the fish doesn’t stick. Well-seasoned cast iron also works great.
Get the Pan Hot – Be sure to preheat the pan over medium-high heat so the salmon sears versus steams.
Pat Salmon Dry – Remove all moisture from the surface of the fillets so they brown properly.
Use a Little Oil – Coat the pan with just 1 tsp oil – too much will steam the fish.
Sear Skin-Side Down – If cooking skin-on fillets, sear skin-side down first to get it crispy.
Resist the Urge to Flip – Let the fillets sear undisturbed until golden, about 3-4 minutes.
Finish in the Oven – Transfer the pan to a 400°F oven for 5 minutes to finish cooking through.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for flawless bourbon glazed salmon:

Prep

Take salmon out of fridge and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels
Make bourbon glaze
Preheat oven to 400°F
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat

Sear

Add 1 tsp oil to hot skillet
Place salmon fillets in skillet skin-side down
Sear until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes
Flip fillets and sear second side, 1-2 minutes

Bake

Transfer skillet to oven and bake 5 minutes, until salmon flakes easily

Glaze

Remove salmon from oven and transfer to plates
Spoon bourbon glaze evenly over each fillet

Finish and Serve

Garnish with chopped green onions (optional)
Serve salmon immediately with your favorite side dishes

That’s all it takes! In about 15 minutes, you’ll have tender, flaky salmon coated in the most incredible bourbon glaze.

Recipe Variations

Once you master the basic recipe, get creative with these easy variations:

Use brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey for a different sweet glaze.
Play with different spices and herbs like rosemary, cumin, chili powder, etc.
Make it a miso bourbon glaze by whisking in some miso paste.
Top with fried shallots, sesame seeds, chopped scallions or microgreens for extra crunch.
Serve over fresh greens, grains or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
Swap in skinless chicken breasts or thick white fish like cod or halibut.
Cook in a foil packet or grill for fun presentation and flavor.

The possibilities are endless, so have fun switching up the flavors to match your taste!

FAQs

Got questions about making the perfect bourbon glazed salmon? Here are some common FAQs:

What type of bourbon should I use?

Any good quality bourbon you enjoy drinking will work well. I like Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, and Four Roses. Avoid bottom shelf bourbon.

Can I make it without alcohol?

Yes! Omit the bourbon and increase the maple syrup by 3-4 tablespoons. You can also use apple juice or cider. It won’t have the depth of flavor, but it will still taste great.

What sides go well with bourbon salmon?

Some delicious pairings include rice, roasted veggies, sautéed greens, roasted potatoes, fresh salad, or couscous.

What if I don’t have maple syrup or brown sugar?

You can substitute honey or agave for the maple syrup. For the brown sugar, you can use white sugar, but know that it helps thicken and enrich the glaze.

Can I prepare the dish in advance?

You can make the glaze up to 5 days ahead and refrigerate. The cooked salmon is also great leftovers for 2-3 days. Just don’t glaze the fish until ready to serve.

The Verdict

Bourbon glazed salmon checks all the boxes. It’s fast, easy, elegant, and insanely delicious. The sweet, smoky glaze perfectly complements the salmon’s tender, flaky texture. Just a few basic ingredients and techniques like properly searing and glazing transform this weeknight staple into a restaurant-worthy dish.