Teriyaki Salmon
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Teriyaki Salmon
Teriyaki salmon glazes up glossy and sweet-savory in one skillet. The sauce is a quick simmer of soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and ginger that thickens into a sticky coat while the salmon cooks. This recipe serves four and lands on the table in about 20 minutes. Serve it over steamed rice and spoon the extra sauce on top.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin on
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Directions
- Whisk the soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the salmon skin side up and sear for 3 minutes, until browned.
- Flip the fillets and pour in the sauce. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning sauce over the fish.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1 minute more, until the glaze turns thick and glossy.
- Plate the salmon, spoon the glaze over the top, and finish with green onion and sesame seeds.
Tips and variations
- Sear the salmon first for color, then let it finish in the sauce so the glaze clings.
- Mirin gives teriyaki its signature shine. If you have none, use 1 extra tablespoon brown sugar and a splash of water.
- The cornstarch slurry is what thickens the sauce. Add it at the end, off a hard boil.
- Double the sauce if you like extra to pour over rice and steamed broccoli.
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Common questions
- What is teriyaki sauce made of
- A simple mix of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and aromatics like ginger and garlic, simmered until it thickens into a glaze.
- Can I use store-bought teriyaki sauce
- Yes. Use about 1/2 cup and skip the homemade sauce ingredients, though you may still want the cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
- How do I keep the glaze from burning
- Lower the heat once the sauce goes in. The sugar scorches fast over high heat, so a gentle simmer is safer.
- What should I serve with teriyaki salmon
- Steamed rice and a green vegetable such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy round it out.
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