Broiled Salmon with Thai Sweet Chili Glaze

Spread the love

Are you on the hunt for a meal that is astonishingly fast, exceptionally tasty, and genuinely nourishing? We certainly understand that quest. The daily puzzle of getting a wonderful dinner on the table can feel immense, particularly when time is tight but you still desire something a bit special. You’re looking for a meal that delivers impressive results without any of the fuss—a dish that tastes like it’s from a fine dining establishment but can be created in your kitchen in under half an hour.

Well, we have the ideal solution for you. Allow us to introduce you to your new weeknight favourite: our spectacular broiled salmon with thai sweet chili glaze. This recipe achieves a superb harmony of sweet, savoury, and subtly spicy notes. The intense heat from the grill gives the glaze a beautiful caramelisation and cooks the salmon to flaky perfection in just a few minutes. It’s a dish that has an air of sophistication but is remarkably straightforward to prepare.

Why We Absolutely Adore This Broiled Salmon Recipe

While there are numerous ways to prepare salmon, this particular method has earned a special place in our culinary repertoire. It’s more than just a set of instructions; it’s a practical answer for busy people who love good food. Here is why we’re sure you’ll be just as fond of it as we are:

Remarkably Swift: From beginning to end, this gorgeous salmon can be ready to serve in approximately 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate quick salmon dinner for those moments when you’re hungry and pressed for time.
Bursting with Flavour: The glaze is the undeniable hero of this dish. It requires only a few basic ingredients yet provides an enormous wave of sweet and tangy flavour that wonderfully complements the rich taste of the salmon.
Wholesome and Nourishing: Salmon is a nutritional champion, brimming with high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent for heart health. This is a meal you can feel truly good about serving.
Effortless Clean-up: By cooking the salmon on an oven tray lined with foil, you make the washing up incredibly simple. Fewer dishes mean more time to unwind and savour your evening.

The Magic of a Thai Sweet Chili Glaze

If you’re yet to be acquainted with Thai sweet chili sauce, you are in for a delightful surprise. It’s a cherished condiment in Thai cooking, celebrated for its brilliant, sticky, and glossy appearance. It skilfully balances the sweetness of sugar with the sharpness of vinegar and a gentle warmth from red chili flakes. While you could certainly make it from scratch, many superb-quality, shop-bought versions are available that save a considerable amount of time.

When this magnificent sauce is brushed onto salmon and subjected to the direct heat of a grill, something truly magical occurs. The sugars within the sauce caramelise, forming a bubbly, slightly charred, and wonderfully sticky glaze. This combination of texture and flavour transforms a simple fish fillet into a genuine culinary masterpiece. This versatile sauce is also brilliant with other proteins, as demonstrated in our much-loved Sweet Chili Chicken recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the finest aspects of this easy salmon recipe is its concise and straightforward list of ingredients. You probably already have many of these in your kitchen cupboards. We believe in using quality ingredients to allow the natural flavours to take centre stage.

Salmon Fillets: Four 170g (6oz) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless. We suggest selecting fillets of a similar thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: This is the secret to our flavourful glaze. Opt for a good-quality brand to get the best taste.
Soy Sauce: We prefer a low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari if you need a gluten-free alternative) to introduce a deep, savoury umami note without overwhelming the dish with salt.
Lime Juice: The zestiness of freshly squeezed lime juice cuts through the sweetness of the glaze, making all the other flavours pop.
Sesame Oil: A mere drop of toasted sesame oil lends a lovely nutty fragrance and depth to the glaze.
Spring Onions & Sesame Seeds: Used as a fresh, crisp garnish to add a splash of colour and texture.
Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: Essential for preventing the salmon from sticking to the foil-lined tray.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Broiled Salmon with Thai Sweet Chili Glaze

Are you ready to begin? Just follow these simple steps to achieve flawless, flavour-packed salmon every time. We’ll walk you through the entire method, making sure it’s accessible even for the most inexperienced home cook.

Prepare the Salmon and Your Broiler

To start, set an oven rack approximately 15cm (6 inches) away from the grill element and preheat your grill to its highest setting. It’s vital to let it get properly hot to create that perfect caramelised finish. Line an oven tray with aluminium foil and give it a light coating of olive oil or cooking spray. This is our top tip for a swift clean-up! Pat the salmon fillets completely dry using a paper towel, which helps the skin crisp up and ensures the glaze clings nicely.
Mix the Simple Thai Sweet Chili Glaze

In a small bowl, simply whisk together the Thai sweet chili sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice, and toasted sesame oil. This straightforward mixture forms the heart of our Thai sweet chili salmon. Stir it until everything is thoroughly combined, and your delicious glaze is ready to go!
Glaze and Broil the Salmon

Place the salmon fillets on your prepared oven tray, ensuring there’s a little room between each one. Liberally brush about half of the sweet chili glaze over the top and sides of the fillets. Put the tray under the preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes. Afterwards, carefully take the tray out of the oven, brush the salmon with the remaining glaze, and pop it back under the grill for a further 3-5 minutes. The fish is perfectly cooked when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the glaze is bubbling and lightly charred in places.
Rest and Garnish

Allow the salmon to rest on the tray for a minute or two after removing it from the oven. This brief rest lets the juices settle, resulting in a more moist and tender fillet. Just before you serve, garnish the salmon with a sprinkle of freshly sliced spring onions and a scattering of toasted sesame seeds for a final touch of freshness and crunch.

Pro Tips for the Best Broiled Salmon Every Time

We want your culinary efforts to be a roaring success. Bear these pointers in mind to create the best broiled salmon you’ve ever had.

Avoid Overcooking: This is the cardinal rule for cooking salmon. It cooks very rapidly under the grill. Stay close and watch it carefully, as it can transition from perfectly cooked to dry in under a minute. For a medium finish, the internal temperature should be around 50-55°C (125-130°F).
Keep a Close Eye: The intensity of grills can differ. The sugars in the glaze are prone to burning, so it’s wise to stay by the oven and watch for that ideal deep golden-brown hue.
Select Uniform Fillets: Endeavour to pick salmon fillets that are similar in size and thickness. This promotes even cooking across all the pieces. If one fillet is significantly thinner, it will be overdone before the thicker ones are ready.
To Skin or Not to Skin?: This comes down to personal taste. Salmon skin becomes delightfully crisp under the grill and is packed with healthy fats. If you’re not a fan, skinless fillets work just as well.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Your Salmon

This salmon dish is exceptionally versatile and goes wonderfully with a host of side dishes, helping you create a complete and satisfying healthy weeknight meal. Here are a few of our favourite accompaniments:

Steamed Jasmine Rice: The light, fragrant grains are ideal for soaking up any delicious extra glaze left on the plate.
Roasted or Steamed Greens: Tenderstem broccoli, asparagus, or pak choi are all fantastic options. Their fresh, slightly earthy notes provide a lovely contrast to the sweet glaze.
A Crisp Salad: A simple salad of cucumber and coriander with a light lime vinaigrette offers a refreshing crunch.
Quinoa or Noodles: For an alternative to rice, this dish is also delicious served with cooked quinoa or simple rice noodles.

Variations and Customisations

Although we adore this recipe just as it is, we encourage you to make it your own! Here are a handful of ideas:

Add Some Heat: If you enjoy a spicier kick, simply add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a small dash of sriracha to the glaze.
Boost the Aromatics: For an extra layer of flavour, try adding a teaspoon of finely grated fresh ginger or a minced garlic clove to the glaze.
Try a Different Fish: This glaze is also beautiful with other firm-fleshed fish, such as cod or halibut, and even works well with prawns.
If you love salmon with a sweet and savoury glaze, you might also enjoy our recipe for Crispy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know when the salmon is cooked?

The easiest way to check is with your eyes and a fork. The flesh should look opaque and feel slightly firm. You can also gently press a fork into the thickest section of the fillet; it’s ready when it separates into flakes with ease. For ultimate precision, a food thermometer should register 50-55°C (125-130°F) for a medium result.

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, certainly. However, it is essential that the salmon is completely defrosted before you start cooking. The most effective way to do this is by placing it in the refrigerator overnight. Be sure to pat it thoroughly dry before you add the glaze to achieve the best texture.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

You can store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. For reheating, we suggest warming it gently in a 135°C (275°F) oven or in an air fryer for several minutes until it is just warmed through. We’d advise against using a microwave, as it can often make the fish tough and rubbery.

Is broiling salmon a healthy cooking method?

Yes, grilling is an excellent healthy cooking choice. It utilises intense, direct heat, which cooks the fish quickly without requiring much additional fat. This cooking method helps to lock in the salmon’s natural moisture and nutrients. As noted by health bodies like the NHS, oily fish such as salmon is a superb source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support a healthy heart.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Salmon Recipe

We are certain that this broiled salmon with Thai sweet chili glaze will become a firm favourite in your meal planning. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t require lots of time or a long list of fussy ingredients to produce a meal that is both exceptionally tasty and wonderfully wholesome. It’s the ideal dish for a hectic weeknight, a relaxed get-together with friends, or any time you fancy treating yourself to something special without all the effort.

So, we warmly invite you to give this recipe a go! We promise you’ll be delighted by how much flavour can be achieved in such a short amount of time. Please do remember to pop back and tell us how you got on in the comments section below. We always love to hear from our readers! Happy cooking!