Crust Salmon In Sweet, Smoky Flavor Using Just One Single Seasoning Packet

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There are so many ways to prepare salmon. If you want to give salmon a spicy kick and an umami boost, drizzle it with chili crisp after searing it in a pan; if you want to make the crispiest salmon you can, coat it with a dry brine before cooking. And if you want your salmon to have a sweet, smoky flavor and a crunchy exterior, try rubbing the meat with one single packet of brown sugar barbecue seasoning. This dry rub combines the sweetness of brown sugar with savory spices and smoky flavors, giving the salmon a flavorful coating that helps build a crisp crust while the meat stays tender and juicy.

The key to pulling off this hack is to treat the seasoning packet as the main source of flavor for the salmon and not just a finishing touch. After patting the fish fillets dry, rub the brown sugar barbecue seasoning over the flesh, gently pressing in the powder so that the spices can seep into the meat. Next, bake the fish in an oven, sear in a pan, or cook on the grill. Regardless of method, once the seasoning hits the heat, the sugar will caramelize as the spices give the fish a deeper, roasted flavor. You'll immediately note the combination of flavors and textures, with the tender meat on the inside offering contrast to the crisp and flaky exterior. 

While it's possible to make brown sugar BBQ seasoning at home, gathering all the ingredients can be challenging if you don't already have them in your pantry and the nearest grocery store doesn't have them in stock. Additionally, buying all the ingredients at once can be pricey — maybe not as expensive as buying overpriced spices individually, but the cost can still add up if you're on a tight budget. To save time, money, and effort, you can always look for brown sugar BBQ seasonings sold in packets online.

There's Kinder's Brown Sugar BBQ Seasoning Blend with Natural Wood Smoke Flavor, available in single 1-ounce packets or in 6- and 15-piece packages at Walmart. Another option is the A.C. Leggings Brown Sugar Sweet BBQ Rub, which comes in 8-ounce packets on Amazon. Buying seasoning in packet form not only allows you to save on the cost of individual ingredients, but also gives you just enough rub for single-prep meals, thereby minimizing waste and excess.

A few things to keep in mind when using seasoning packets for this salmon hack: While you don't need to oil the fish before applying the seasoning mix on the top and sides, you may need to brush some on the skin side to prevent the fish from sticking to your grill or pan. There's also no need to let the fish rest after seasoning, since salmon can readily take on the flavors of the spice rub.