Begin by placing your heavy-bottomed pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Let the oil heat up for about 2-3 minutes.
Once the oil is hot enough, add the 1/4 cup of popcorn kernels to the pot. Quickly cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.
Every 30 seconds or so, gently shake the pot back and forth to keep the kernels moving and ensure even popping.
When the popping slows down to about 2-3 seconds between pops, remove the pot from the heat. This usually takes 3-5 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid to avoid steam burns. Transfer the popped popcorn to a large bowl. Sprinkle the brown sugar and salt over the top while the popcorn is still hot.
Gently toss the popcorn with the wooden spoon until evenly coated. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
