Miso Glazed Salmon – Healthy and Easy
- By Amy Dong
- Published Feb. 13, 2024
- Updated Feb. 27, 2024
This Miso Glazed Salmon recipe is a perfect blend of flavors and a snap to prepare. The marinade is easy to make and gives the fish a wonderful umami flavor. The best part? It takes only 8 minutes to cook it!
In This Article
- VIDEO: WATCH US MAKE THIS RECIPE
- What is Miso?
- Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions And Variations
- Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- How To Prep Ahead
- What To Serve With Miso Glazed Salmon
- Commonly Asked Questions
- Did you make this?
- Miso Glazed Salmon - Healthy and Easy Recipe
- More to cook and eat
VIDEO: WATCH US MAKE THIS RECIPE
What is Miso?
Miso is a nutrient-rich fermented soybean product, traced back to ancient China and made popular later on in Japan. The word “miso” means “fermented” in Japanese and is widely used to bring umami flavor to Asian cooking.
Types of Miso
- White Miso has been fermented for a shorter time than other types of miso, and thus, has a sweeter, milder, and less salty flavor profile than other types of miso. It’s easily adaptable in many recipes.
- Yellow Miso has been fermented longer than white miso, has a richer flavor, and is also a popular flavor addition in recipes.
- Red Miso has been fermented the longest out of these and boasts a more intense, deep flavor. This type of miso is great for braises and marinades.
How to Store Miso
The best way to store miso is keeping it airtight in the fridge. Keep moisture out, and always use a clean utensil to measure out the portion you need each time.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We all want a recipe that’s easy, healthy, and packed with flavor. That’s exactly what this Miso Glazed Salmon is:
- Easy: This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients, making it a breeze to prepare, just like our Easy Baked Salmon.
- Healthy: Salmon is a superfood, rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, this recipe uses white miso paste, well known for its health benefits.
- Flavor-packed: The combination of miso, sugar, Sake, and Mirin creates a flavor combination that’s simply irresistible.
- Quick: With just 8 minutes of broiling time, this is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights.
- Perfectly Cooked: By following our tips, you’ll achieve salmon that’s perfectly browned on the outside and tender on the inside.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Salmon Fillets – The star of our dish, these fillets, when cooked correctly, are tender and flavorful.
- White Miso Paste – This is where our dish gets its distinct umami flavor. It’s packed with bold, salty-sweet flavors.
- Japanese Rice Wine (Sake) and Sweet Rice Wine (Mirin) – These add depth to the marinade, and their sweetness balances the saltiness of the miso paste. We also use Mirin in our Grilled Teriyaki Chicken recipe.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds and Green Onions – These garnishes add a beautiful crunch and a fresh, aromatic finish to our dish.
Substitutions And Variations
This Miso Glazed Salmon recipe is a winner, but there’s always room to make it your own. Here are some tasty variations and substitution ideas:
- Sweetener: If you prefer, substitute the granulated sugar with honey for a touch of natural sweetness. We use honey in our Honey Glazed Salmon for that very reason.
- Gluten-Free: If you need a gluten-free option, ensure the rice wines and the sweet rice wine are gluten-free. Some brands add wheat for fermentation.
- Protein: While salmon is our protein of choice, this miso glaze works beautifully with other fish too. Try it with steelhead trout or a flaky white fish like cod or halibut.
- Spices: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. It pairs beautifully with the sweet and salty flavors.
- Garnishes: Feel free to get creative with your garnishes. Try chopped cilantro or even a squeeze of fresh lemon for a tangy twist.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Towel-dry salmon fillets thoroughly and set aside. Mix miso, sweetener, Sake, Mirin, and pepper until smooth. Dip each salmon fillet into the miso mixture to coat both sides evenly. Place fillets in a large pan, cover, and chill overnight.
- Preheat broiler and set a wire rack on a baking sheet. Line rack with foil and place the salmon fillets on it. Broil the salmon until the top and sides are brown and the center is somewhat firm. Garnish with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
This miso glazed salmon is a perfect make-ahead dish that not only tastes better when marinated overnight but also allows you to do most of the work in advance. Take a look at our favorite prep-ahead tips for this recipe:
- Miso Marinade: The miso glaze for this salmon can be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Simply mix together the miso paste, sugar, Sake, Mirin, and pepper, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just take it out and let it come to room temperature before using.
- Marinate Overnight: The salmon can be marinated in the miso glaze a day ahead. We recommend marinating the salmon fillets overnight, up to 24 hours, for the best flavor. This is a great way to save time and let the flavors really soak into the salmon.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the miso glazed salmon after it’s been cooked. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat it in the oven or microwave. It’s a great way to have a delicious meal ready to go at a moment’s notice.
What To Serve With Miso Glazed Salmon
Rice
- A simple bowl of steamed white or brown rice is a perfect accompaniment to miso glazed salmon. The rice can soak up the delicious flavors of the salmon and miso glaze, making every bite a treat.
- For a more adventurous rice dish, try our Asian Sticky Rice. It’s packed with flavor and pairs wonderfully with the salmon.
Vegetables
- Healthy, leafy greens like bok choy or gai lan (Chinese broccoli) are perfect for balancing the rich flavors of the salmon. You can stir-fry them, steam them, or even grill them for a tasty side dish.
- Air fryer broccoli is one of our favorite healthy vegetables to pair with salmon.
Salad
- A light, fresh salad can be a great side dish for miso glazed salmon. We recommend a Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad that’ll work beautifully with the flavors in this dish.
- For a heartier salad, try adding some quinoa or couscous. They’ll both complement the salmon nicely and make your meal more filling.
Commonly Asked Questions
What type of salmon should I use for this recipe?
We recommend using 6- to 8-ounce salmon fillets that are approximately 1-inch thick. Make sure to choose fillets of even thickness for even cooking results.
Can I use a different type of miso paste?
Yes, you can. We used white miso paste for a milder flavor and appearance, but any color miso paste can be substituted.
What is the purpose of towel-drying the salmon?
Towel-drying the salmon helps to remove excess moisture, which allows the miso glaze to adhere better to the fish. It also helps the salmon to achieve a nice, caramelized crust when broiled.
How long does miso glazed salmon keep?
Miso glazed salmon can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Miso Glazed Salmon – Healthy and Easy
This Miso Glazed Salmon is exactly what weeknights were made for. It’s healthy, easy, and supremely delish! Using the broiler creates fantastic flavor in a short amount of time.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets salmon, 6- to 8-ounce, approx. 1-inch thickness
- ½ cup white miso paste
- 3 TB granulated sugar
- 3 TB Japanese rice wine, Sake
- 3 TB Japanese sweet rice wine, Mirin
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
- toasted sesame seeds, garnish, or thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- Thoroughly towel-dry salmon fillets to remove excess moisture. Set aside.
- Using a hand-whisk, gently mix together the miso, sugar, Sake, Mirin, and pepper until smooth and fully incorporated. Dip each salmon fillet into miso mixture to evenly coat both sides of each piece of fish. Place salmon fillets in a single layer in 9×13 or other large pan; gently spread remaining miso mixture evenly on top of each fillet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight, up to 24 hours.
- Preheat broiler on high, with rack 8 inches from heat source. Set a wire rack on a large baking sheet. Line wire rack with foil. Gently remove excess miso mixture from fillets (do not rinse) and place fish on foil-lined wire rack. Do not overcrowd the fish (should be at least 1 inch space in between each piece.)
- Broil salmon until browned on top/sides and centers feel somewhat firm upon lightly pressing down with a spatula (roughly 8 minutes, depending on thickness and temp of fish to begin with.) If tops/side brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil and cook until fish is just done (take care not to over-cook.) Garnish as desired. Serve while warm, with white or brown rice.
Notes
- For the best results, make sure to choose salmon fillets of even thickness. This will help the fish cook evenly and prevent some parts from becoming overcooked while others are still underdone.
- Thoroughly towel-dry the salmon before applying the miso glaze. This allows the glaze to stick better and also helps the salmon develop a beautiful caramelized crust when broiled.
- Always try to marinate the salmon overnight, up to 24 hours, before broiling. It’ll ensure you get the most flavorful salmon dish.
- You can substitute sake and mirin with dry sherry and sweet marsala wine, if needed.
- Love a stronger miso flavor? Feel free to use a darker miso paste. We used white miso for a milder flavor, but any color miso paste can be substituted.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 855mg | Potassium: 910mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
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