Lacquered Salmon with Crispy Skin
- Savoury Dishes & Salads
- seafood
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dark Brown Sugar
Categories:
If you like salmon, you'll be hooked on the texture and flavour of crispy salmon skin. Made in just under 30 minutes, this delicious recipe will become a repeat in your kitchen.

For the glaze:
- 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp (30 ml + 30 ml) water 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp (30 ml + 30 ml) water
- 2 tsp (8 g) cornstarch 2 tsp (8 g) cornstarch
- ⅓ cup (72 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed ⅓ cup (72 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1″ (2.5 cm) square knob of fresh ginger, peeled and minced 1″ (2.5 cm) square knob of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice wine vinegar 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sriracha hot sauce 1 tsp (5 ml) sriracha hot sauce
- 1 whole star anise 1 whole star anise
For the crispy skin salmon:
- 1 ½ lb (680 g) salmon fillet, skin on and pin bones removed 1 ½ lb (680 g) salmon fillet, skin on and pin bones removed
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
- salt for sprinkling salt for sprinkling
For the garnish:
- 1 tbsp (8 g) sesame seeds, toasted 1 tbsp (8 g) sesame seeds, toasted
- 1 green onion, sliced 1 green onion, sliced
Instructions
For the glaze:
Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water in a small bowl. Whisk together the rest of glaze ingredients in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring until sauce begins to bubble. Add cornstarch mix and continue stirring until sauce is thickened and translucent, about 1 minute; set aside.
For the salmon:
Cut salmon into 4 equal portions and dry well with paper towels; sprinkle skin side with salt. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When oil is shimmering, place fillets in pan skin side down. Press down lightly with a spatula and allow to cook 3 minutes.
Turn broiler on high and set rack about 8 inches (20 centimetres) below heat source. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and place seared salmon fillets on it skin side down. Brush glaze generously over each fillet and set under broiler for 4 minutes. Baste salmon again with rest of glaze and broil until glaze is bubbling and salmon is just cooked through, about 3 more minutes, depending on thickness of salmon.
Let rest five minutes and serve with toasted sesame seeds and green onions to garnish.
Chef's Tip
*Salmon will be cooked to medium when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centre of the thickest part registers at 125℉ (52℃). If well-done salmon is preferred allow the temperature to reach 135℉ (57℃) before removing from oven.