The Spice Train

  • Recipe Index
  • About:
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Dry Rubs & Seasonings

Brown Sugar Salmon Rub

Updated: Dec 22, 2024 · Published: Oct 27, 2021 by Nicole B. · 2 Comments

5 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe

This easy brown sugar salmon rub takes salmon fillets from delicious to spectacular. It has the perfect combination of sweet, spicy and savory flavors that complement the flavor of grilled salmon but don't overpower it. You only need brown sugar, pepper flakes, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper to make it.

Two spice-rubbed salmon fillets on a white plate.

Ingredients and notes:

  • You can use light or dark brown sugar for this salmon rub. (The only difference between light and dark brown sugar is the amount of molasses. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses than light brown sugar and yields a slightly deeper flavor in this spice rub.)
Red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder and brown sugar.

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how you liked it in the comments below! Thank you!

Full Recipe

Two spice-rubbed salmon fillets on a white plate.

Brown Sugar Salmon Rub

Author: Nicole B.
Makes about 1 ½ tablespoons, which is enough for 8 ounces of salmon (2 salmon fillets).
4.55 from 11 votes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Print Version Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2
Calories (estimated): 14 kcal

Equipment:

  • measuring spoons
  • small glass jar with lid

Ingredients:
  

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar* (light or dark)
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions:
 

  • Add all dry rub ingredients to a small jar. Put on the lid and shake very well until all ingredients are well combined. (I don't recommend storing this rub because the brown sugar can dry out that way. It's best to prepare the rub fresh when you need it.)

Notes:

*Please make sure that your brown sugar is soft. (It should have a texture similar to that of wet sand.) If it's dried out and crumbly, the remaining ingredients won't stick to it and you won't get an even mix.
How to grill the salmon:
  1. Brush skin-on salmon fillets with a mild olive oil, then evenly sprinkle the rub onto the flesh side.
  2. Pre-heat the grill on high to at least 400 F.
  3. Set the salmon fillets directly over the flame skin-side down. Close the top and leave the flames on high until the salmon skin is blackened and crispy (about 5 minutes).
  4. Turn off the heat from directly under the salmon and turn the remaining burners to medium. Cook with the top closed until the salmon registers 130 F. in the thickest part. (10 to 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon). Leave the salmon skin-side down the entire time and do not flip over.
Show Nutrition Info Hide Nutrition Info

Nutrition Information (Estimated):

Calories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3.6gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 292mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 3gCalcium: 6mg

Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.

Keywords: brown sugar salmon rub, salmon dry rub, salmon seasoning

More delicious brown sugar rub recipes:

  • This peppery smoked paprika brown sugar steak rub has a great balance of sweet and savory flavors.
  • For a darker and more earthy flavor on steaks try this cocoa chili rub.
  • If you're barbecuing chicken, beef or pork, this bold and delicious chipotle bbq rub is perfect.
  • This mustard rub for ribs makes delicious, fall-off-the-bone tender baby back ribs.

Comments

  1. Bern says

    June 22, 2023 at 5:42 pm

    We caught some King Salmon (also called Chinook) in Lake Ontario, and I made this rub to season the salmon pieces before grilling them. I used much less garlic powder because we don't like a strong garlic flavor. The salmon was very tasty, the sweetness from the brown sugar was nice, and the little heat from the red pepper flakes was just enough. I'll definitely use this rub again. We removed the skin so I put the rub on both sides of each fillet.

    Reply
    • Nicole B. says

      June 23, 2023 at 12:30 pm

      Wow, fresh caught salmon sounds amazing! I'm so happy to hear that you liked the dry rub! Thanks so much for coming back and sharing your review, it's much appreciated!

      Reply
4.55 from 11 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Photo of the website owner.

Hi there!

I'm Nicole and this is my website. Here you'll find flavorful recipes that center around spices.

More about me

Popular Recipes & Guides:

  • Two slabs of raw baby back ribs with mustard rub in a baking dish.
    Mustard Rib Rub

  • Yellow chicken curry in a bowl on a wooden coaster.
    Thai Pineapple Yellow Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk

  • Smoked paprika rub in a glass jar.
    Smoked Paprika Chicken Rub

  • A yellow, a red and a white onion on a table.
    Onion to cups conversion (sliced, chopped, medium-diced, minced)

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Contact

As seen on:

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 The Spice Train

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.