Whiskey & Sweet Tea Glazed Salmon With Free Printable

"Back then, time seemed to move slowly, and nothing was more important than just chillin' with loved ones, saying hello to passersby, and feeling the summer breeze against your neck. When you long for simpler days, this salmon, glazed with a reduction of whiskey and citrusy sweet tea, does the trick."

- Jocelyn Delk Adams

We've got another salmon recipe for you and it's one you won't want to miss! This sweet tea and whiskey glazed salmon is super simple and fun for the whole family.

You can find a free kid-friendly recipe with pics down at the bottom or skip to it with the table of contents below.

If you enjoy this glazed salmon, you should try Jocelyn's cinnamon roll pound cake, lomi salmon, Australian barbecue prawns, boiled shrimp, easy boiled crab, crab cakes, Miss Lewis's stuffing, shumai, and bellini.

Learn more about cooking with kids.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Amazon links are not affiliate links. You can read my full affiliate disclosure.

Everyday Grand Cookbook

This whiskey and sweet tea glazed salmon recipe is from Everyday Grand: Soulful Recipes for Celebrating Life's Big and Small Moments by Jocelyn Delk Adams with Olga Massov.

Inside the cookbook, Jocelyn talks more about celebrating life:

Most of our lives are made up of small moments, and those moments can bring us so much more joy when we take time to appreciate and acknowledge them...In the spirit of this mindful shift to celebrating life and cultivating joy, I also want this book to honor the African American experience. Part of Black survival is learning to laugh, dance, and smile through the most painful and troubling moments. From slavery to segregation to Jim Crow laws to the Civil Rights and BLM movements - these experiences have steeled us into a people of resilience, strength, and power. Even our homegoings (funerals), despite the somber occasion, are filled with celebration and gratitude as we come together and remember the life of the deceased. Our joy truly comes from within, because even our everyday experiences are cloaked in being Black. Finding joy even amid pain or monotony is the way we get through things. It's our survival mechanism. We can form a Soul Train line or do the Wobble anywhere - and everywhere.

- Jocelyn Delk Adams

To help you on your quest to celebrate all life's moments is the insightful Celebrate! suggestions that accompany each recipe.

You can find more delicious recipes by Jocelyn Delk Adams over at Grandbaby Cakes or shop the Grandbaby Cakes collection at Williams Sonoma.

Stop by our shop to see more Family & Kids' Cooking Resources.

Learn more about allergies and your family.

Wondering What to Serve With Glazed Salmon?

If you have a copy of Everyday Grand, you'll find several delicious sides to accompany your glazed salmon. If you flip to the Menu Suggestions in the back of the cookbook, you'll find whiskey and sweet tea glazed salmon served with mixed-up potato gratin under "Dinner with Your Boo Thang!"

Is This a Good Salmon Recipe for Kids?

Absolutely! We like it so much, we made a kid-friendly recipe for pre-readers and up. Grab a free copy down at the bottom.

Whiskey & Sweet Tea Glazed Salmon

Ingredients

• whiskey - the Rainbow Inavale Straight Bourbon Whiskey is local to us and pairs perfectly with the salmon. You do you
• water
• black tea - organic black tea is my jam. Buy it in a tea bag or loose for use with a tea ball
• Swerve brown - dark brown sugar will also work for this glazed salmon recipe
• maple syrup - use your favorite maple syrup. We like Lakanto Sugar Free Maple Syrup
• lemon zest
• fresh lemon juice
• garlic
• sweet paprika
• black pepper
• oil - we used avocado oil for this recipe
• salmon fillets - we are working with sockeye salmon but you can use whatever is local or accessible to you
• kosher salt - any Kosher salt will work. We like this pink Himalayan salt
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• no-salt Cajun seasoning - if you have a copy of Everyday Grand, you'll find the no-salt Cajun seasoning recipe inside. You can also use store-bought Cajun seasoning
• cayenne pepper

Equipment

• prep bowls
• Dutch oven
• measuring spoons
• measuring cup
• sheet pan
• aluminum foil
• napkin
• wooden spoon

1. Start the Whiskey-Tea Glaze

Wash your hands with soap and water. Turn the stove to medium-high heat. Use a measuring cup to measure the whiskey and pour it into the Dutch oven. Repeat for the water.

Place the black tea bag in the Dutch oven. Let it simmer for 2 or 3 minutes.

2. Add the Remaining Glaze Ingredients

Measure the Swerve brown, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, and black pepper, adding each one to the pot.

Give it a stir with a wooden spoon.

3. Simmer for 15 Minutes

Let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until it looks like a thick syrup. Turn off the stove, remove the tea bag, and set the glaze aside.

4. Make the Salmon Seasoning

Use measuring spoons to measure the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Use a spoon or whisk to combine.

5. Line a Sheet Pan

Place one rack in the middle of the oven and another 6 inches from the boiler heating element. Turn the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and apply the oil to the foil.

6. Pat the Salmon With a Napkin

Use a napkin to pat the salmon dry.

This is an excellent time to explore the look and feel of the salmon. It's a beautiful fish and the kids love working with it.

7. Season the Salmon

Use your fingers to sprinkle the seasoning over the salmon. Afterward, lightly press the seasoning into the salmon. Wash your hands when finished.

8. Apply the Glaze to the Salmon Fillets

Use a spoon to apply the glaze to the salmon fillets.

9. Cover the Salmon

Apply a second piece of aluminum foil over top of the salmon and fold it over the sides.

10. Bake for 13 Minutes

Bake the salmon for about 13 minutes. Jocelyn says the salmon is ready when it flakes easily using a fork.

Take the top layer of aluminum foil off and place the sheet pan on the top rack of the oven. Turn the oven to broil. Broil the glazed salmon for 2 minutes or until golden.

Turn off the oven and remove the sheet pan. Serve immediately.

Kaia sliced and served the salmon.

Joshua liked it so much that he used a knife and a spoon to get every last piece into his mouth.

Free Glazed Salmon Recipe for Pre-Readers and Up

Grab your free printable recipe cards above. Kids can gather ingredients using the ingredient list, gather their equipment with the tools list, and prepare the meal using the step-by-step recipe cards, with assistance as needed.

The cards are easy to use, include pictures, and encourage confidence and independence in the kitchen. They also make an excellent addition to your Montessori continent box for North America.