Juicy Bourbon-Kissed Peach Salmon Grill Recipe

Summers burst with flavor when classic peach bourbon salmon hits the grill, creating a mouthwatering dance of sweet and savory notes.

Tender salmon fillets absorb the rich, complex bourbon marinade, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Fresh peaches add a vibrant touch of natural sweetness that complements the robust fish perfectly.

The marinade infuses each bite with deep, caramelized undertones that elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Grilling brings out the salmon’s delicate texture while charring the edges with a tantalizing smoky essence.

Preparing this recipe connects you to the heart of seasonal cooking, blending bold ingredients with simple techniques.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this stunning main course that celebrates summer’s most delicious bounty.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Bourbon Peach Salmon

• Bourbon: Rich, smooth spirit that adds depth and warmth to the sauce, choose a quality bourbon for best flavor.
• Peach Preserves: Brings sweet, fruity essence and natural thickness to the glaze, select a high-quality preserve with chunky peach pieces.
• Soy Sauce: Provides salty umami undertone that balances the sweetness, opt for low-sodium version if watching salt intake.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy complexity and helps emulsify the glaze, select smooth, authentic French-style mustard.
• Honey: Creates natural sweetness and helps caramelize the glaze, use local raw honey for enhanced flavor.
• Garlic: Introduces aromatic sharpness, choose fresh cloves for maximum punch.
• Ginger: Adds subtle spicy warmth, use fresh grated ginger for most vibrant taste.

• Salmon Fillets: Central protein with rich omega-3 content, select fresh, wild-caught salmon for best texture and flavor.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use sea salt for cleaner taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity, freshly ground provides most robust flavor.
• Cooking Oil: Prevents sticking and helps create crispy exterior, choose neutral oil with high smoke point.

• Fresh Thyme: Provides herbal freshness and visual appeal, optional but recommended.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright, clean finish to the dish, adds color and light herbaceous note.

Grill & Glaze Tools for Bourbon Peach Salmon

• Small Saucepan: Essential for creating the rich, flavorful bourbon peach glaze with precision.
• Stovetop Pan or Grill: Perfect for cooking salmon with a nice sear and caramelized exterior.
• Pastry Brush: Ideal for generously applying the glossy glaze over the salmon.
• Cutting Board: Helps prepare and season salmon fillets safely.
• Tongs: Great for flipping salmon and handling hot fish with control.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and glaze ingredient proportions.
• Fork: Useful for checking salmon's doneness and flaking texture.

How to Cook Bourbon Peach Salmon with a Caramelized Finish

• Whip Up the Flavor Bomb

Create a mouthwatering bourbon peach sauce by mixing bourbon, peach preserves, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let it bubble and blend for 5-7 minutes until the sauce transforms into a rich, glossy coating.

• Get the Salmon Ready

Heat up a grill or stovetop pan to medium heat while seasoning the salmon with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Lightly oil the cooking surface to prevent sticking and ensure a perfect sear.

• Sizzle and Caramelize

Lay the salmon fillets on the hot surface, starting with the skin side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the fish becomes flaky and golden. In the final minute of cooking, generously brush the bourbon peach glaze over the salmon, creating a sticky, caramelized exterior that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Plate and Devour

Transfer the glazed salmon to serving plates, drizzling any remaining sauce on top. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor. Prepare for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Tips for a Balanced Bourbon Glaze

• Pat salmon fillets dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy exterior and help the glaze adhere beautifully.
• Swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe completely gluten-free without losing rich flavor complexity.
• Prepare the bourbon peach glaze up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, saving precious cooking time.
• Transform this recipe by substituting salmon with chicken breasts or pork tenderloin for equally delicious results that maintain the same sweet-tangy bourbon glaze profile.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the glaze for a subtle heat that complements the sweet peach and rich bourbon undertones.

Serve Bourbon Peach Salmon with Fresh Sides

• Peachy Summer Picnic Plate: Pack this salmon with crisp mixed greens, grilled asparagus, and fresh corn for a delightful outdoor meal that captures summer's vibrant flavors.
• Southern Comfort Bowl: Serve the salmon over creamy stone-ground grits or rice pilaf, adding a southern twist that complements the bourbon's rich warmth and peach's sweetness.
• Bright Citrus Companion: Pair the dish with a zesty orange-fennel salad or roasted lemon-dressed vegetables to cut through the glaze's richness and add refreshing contrast.
• Elegant Wine Pairing: Choose a light Pinot Noir or unoaked Chardonnay that harmonizes with the salmon's delicate texture and the glaze's complex sweet-tangy profile.

Storage Advice for Leftover Bourbon Glazed Salmon

• Store leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the fish away from other strong-smelling foods to maintain its delicate flavor profile.
• Warm the salmon gently in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes to prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the fish tough and rubbery.
• Wrap individual salmon portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Extra bourbon peach glaze can be stored separately in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Use as a marinade or sauce for other proteins or vegetables.

FAQs

• What flavors does the bourbon peach glaze bring to the salmon?

The bourbon adds a rich, slightly smoky depth while peach preserves contribute a sweet, fruity note. The combination creates a complex, tangy-sweet glaze that enhances the salmon’s natural richness.

• Is this recipe suitable for different types of salmon?

Yes, this recipe works perfectly with various salmon cuts like sockeye, king, or Atlantic salmon. Fresh or even frozen salmon can be used, ensuring the fillets are of similar thickness for even cooking.

• Can I make the glaze ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the bourbon peach glaze up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Simply reheat gently before brushing on the salmon.

• Do I need any special cooking equipment to make this recipe?

No special equipment is required. You can use a standard stovetop pan, grill, or even a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to cook the salmon. The key is maintaining medium heat for perfect cooking.

Grilled Bourbon Peach Salmon Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent bourbon peach salmon blends Southern comfort with Pacific Northwest elegance, marrying sweet peach glaze and rich bourbon notes. Delicate fish meets caramelized fruit, creating a harmonious dish you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz/170 g each)
• ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) bourbon
• ½ cup (170 g/6 oz) peach preserves
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh thyme or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Glaze Preparation: Merge bourbon, peach preserves, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a saucepan, simmering over medium heat until the mixture transforms into a thick, glossy reduction with concentrated flavor intensity.
2. Salmon Seasoning: Thoroughly season salmon fillets with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage across both surfaces.
3. Cooking Surface Setup: Preheat grill or stovetop pan to medium temperature, lightly lubricating with cooking oil to prevent adherence.
4. Initial Salmon Searing: Position fillets skin-side down, allowing undisturbed cooking for 4-5 minutes to develop a crisp exterior and initiate internal cooking process.
5. Finishing Technique: Gently rotate salmon, continuing cooking until fish achieves translucent opaque appearance and can be effortlessly flaked with minimal fork pressure.
6. Glaze Application: During final cooking moments, lavishly brush bourbon peach glaze over salmon, creating a caramelized, sticky exterior that enhances flavor complexity.
7. Plating and Garnish: Transfer glazed salmon to serving plates, embellishing with a drizzle of remaining sauce and a sprinkle of fresh thyme or finely chopped parsley for visual appeal and aromatic enhancement.

Notes

Prevent Sauce Burning: Stir the bourbon peach glaze continuously to avoid scorching and maintain an even, smooth consistency.

Control Salmon Moisture: Cook salmon just until it’s opaque and flakes gently to preserve its delicate, tender texture and prevent dryness.

Optimize Glaze Caramelization: Apply the bourbon peach glaze during the last minute of cooking to achieve a perfect sticky-sweet exterior without burning.

Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow salmon to marinate briefly in a portion of the glaze before cooking to infuse deeper bourbon and peach undertones.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg