Japanese Marinated Salmon Fillet

Delight your taste buds with this irresistible Japanese Marinated Salmon Fillet, where tender, flaky salmon meets the vibrant flavors of a tangy-sweet marinade. This easy yet elegant recipe combines soy sauce, mirin, sake, honey, fresh ginger, and garlic to create a rich umami-packed glaze that caramelizes beautifully as it cooks. The dish is ready in under 30 minutes of active cooking, making it perfect for weeknights or special occasions. A finishing touch of scallions and toasted sesame seeds adds a burst of freshness and crunch, while serving it alongside steamed rice and vegetables creates a complete, restaurant-quality Japanese-inspired meal. Perfect for seafood lovers, this recipe shines with bold flavors and simple techniques, making it a must-try for your next dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (about 6 oz each) salmon fillets
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 0.25 cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 2 tablespoons sake (optional, can substitute with water)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon (grated) fresh ginger
• 2 cloves (minced) garlic
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (for cooking) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (optional, for garnish) toasted sesame seeds
• 2 stalks (thinly sliced, for garnish) scallions (green onions)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil until the honey is fully dissolved and the marinade is well combined.

Step 2

Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the salmon, ensuring each fillet is evenly coated. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for maximum flavor.

Step 3

After marinating, remove the salmon from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. This will ensure even cooking.

Step 4

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, remove the salmon from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off, and carefully place the fillets skin-side down in the skillet. Reserve the marinade for later.

Step 5

Cook the salmon for 3-4 minutes on the skin side without moving to create a crisp crust. Flip the fillets gently and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until the fillets are just cooked through and flake easily with a fork.

Step 6

While the salmon is cooking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing the marinade to thicken slightly and become a glaze.

Step 7

Remove the salmon from the skillet and plate it. Drizzle the glaze generously over the fillets.

Step 8

Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve immediately with steamed rice and your favorite vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(890.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1754.1

Total Fat 107.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.3g
Cholesterol 272.2mg	0%
Sodium 2859.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 37.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.3g	0%
Total Sugars 27.2g
Protein 149.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 105.0mg	0%
Iron 6.2mg	0%
Potassium 347.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.3%

Protein: 35.0%

Carbs: 8.7%