Description
This Teriyaki Salmon recipe features tender salmon fillets cooked to perfection and coated with a rich, homemade teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, ginger, garlic, and sesame seeds. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Teriyaki Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
Salmon
- 1 pound fresh salmon fillets (cut into 4 fillets)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics and sauce base: Heat one tablespoon of sesame oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Once hot, add the grated garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to release their flavors.
- Add sauce ingredients: Pour in the soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar. Increase the heat to medium-high and let the mixture simmer gently for 2 minutes while stirring often to combine and dissolve the sugar.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and warm water to make a slurry. Add this to the saucepan, whisking continuously for about 30 seconds until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the pan from heat, stir in the sesame seeds, and mix well. Set the teriyaki sauce aside.
- Prepare the salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season them evenly with sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Cook the salmon: Heat the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the salmon skin side up and cook for 2 minutes, then flip so it is skin side down and cook for an additional 6 minutes.
- Glaze and finish cooking: Brush the teriyaki sauce onto the salmon fillets. Continue cooking for about 1 minute or until the salmon easily flakes apart with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, ensuring it is perfectly cooked and flavorful.
Notes
- Use fresh salmon fillets for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Be careful not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
- Serve with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
- You can substitute tamari for soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
