Teriyaki Salmon

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This easy Teriyaki Salmon is baked in the oven with a homemade teriyaki sauce and marinade. It comes out perfectly flaky with the most amazing crispy outside.

425 CAL 11g CARBS 26g FAT 35g PROTEIN
1 Comment

Ready from start to finish in just 30 minutes, this healthy and delicious Teriyaki Salmon is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy this dish alongside your favorite vegetable and rice for the ultimate weeknight meal.

This dish is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, salty, and sticky. The homemade teriyaki sauce we throw together to coat the salmon filets packs a serious punch, ensuring incredible flavor in every bite. Even the pickiest of children won’t be able to put their forks down, it’s kid-approved.

Many people think that healthy eating has to mean eating salads or chicken breast and steamed broccoli for every meal, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean boring eating, you can still cook food the whole family will fall in love with.

Whether you’re looking for a new meal prep recipe, cooking dinner for the family, or hosting a dinner party for friends, this recipe for Teriyaki Salmon is sure to be a hit. It also makes delicious teriyaki rice bowls and salmon sushi bowls for meal prep.

Baked salmon in teriyaki sauce with broccoli and green onions on a plate with soy sauce on the side.

Key Ingredients and Swaps

For this flavor-packed recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:

  • Salmon: The star of the show! I prefer to get the fresh wild-caught salmon filets from the grocery store, but you can use any kind you like.
  • Soy sauce: I use low sodium soy sauce in this recipe, as regular soy sauce tends to be a bit of a salt bomb. Coconut aminos is a great gluten-free and lower sodium option as well.
  • Honey: This adds the perfect amount of sweetness to our teriyaki sauce. Maple syrup and brown sugar also work.
  • Rice vinegar: We use this to add a little acidity to the recipe. It’s a nice touch that brightens up the rest of the flavors in the dish.
  • Toasted sesame oil: A must! The sesame oil adds a rich sesame flavor to the sauce. Regular sesame oil and coconut oil also work.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves will yield the best flavor, but you can use garlic powder if you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand.
  • Ginger: Fresh is always best, but ground ginger can be used in a bind.

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Salmon

  • Ready in just 30 minutes
  • Bursting with delicious flavor
  • Made with wholesome ingredients
  • Packed with nutrients
  • Easy to make
  • Great for meal prep like in these Asian Salmon Rice Bowls.
  • Perfect for weeknight dinners

What is Teriyaki Sauce?

Teriyaki sauce originated in Japan and is a popular sauce in Asian cuisine. It traditionally consists of a base of soy sauce, sake, and sugar. Many people have put their own twist on teriyaki sauce over the years. For example, in this recipe we use rice vinegar in place of sake. We also use honey as the sugar source, while others may use brown sugar or maple syrup. No matter how you switch it up, the base flavors always remain the same: salt, acid, and sugar.

This deliciously sticky sauce is commonly used as a glaze or marinade for vegetables and meats like fish, pork, beef, and chicken. The flavor profile is a well-rounded combination of sweet, salty, and savory, with umami flavors that explode in your mouth. You can purchase a bottle of teriyaki sauce at basically any grocery store, but it’s much more fun (and affordable!) to make your own. It only takes a few minutes and in my opinion, it’s much more rewarding.

Serving and Substitution Tips

  • For a plate that is seriously restaurant-worthy, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions just before serving.
  • If you like your food with a little heat, add a bit of sriracha to the marinade before coating your salmon filets.
  • For a gluten-free dish, substitute tamari in place of soy sauce.
  • If you don’t have honey for the marinade, brown sugar or maple syrup can be used in its place.
  • After brushing the salmon filets with the teriyaki marinade, make sure to let them sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in.
  • If you don’t have fresh garlic or ginger at home, you can substitute garlic or ginger powder instead.
  • Keep a close eye on your salmon filets while they’re broiling at the end, as they can burn quickly if you aren’t paying attention.

Side Dish Ideas

For a well-rounded meal, I love pairing this dish with some type of vegetable dish and rice or potato-based dish. It also makes a really delicious Asian Rice Bowl.

This flavorful salmon recipe pairs beautifully with a ton of different side dishes, but these are some of my favorites:

How to Store This Dish

Once cooked, leftovers of this Teriyaki Salmon recipe can be transferred to an airtight bag or container and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

Salmon with teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds, green onions, and broccoli on a white plate with a fork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use farmed or wild salmon?

Wild-caught salmon tends to be more flavorful and nutritious, but it’s typically a bit more expensive. It’s totally up to you! You can use either type of salmon for this recipe. Here is a helpful guide to help you better understand the different types of salmon.

What is teriyaki sauce made of?

Teriyaki sauce is traditionally made with a base of soy sauce, sake or mirin, and sugar. Many people get creative with the specifics depending on the ingredients they have at home. For example, I’ve seen recipes that use honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar as the sweetener for the sauce. Many people also sub out sake or mirin for dry sherry or rice vinegar, like we do in this recipe.

What is a good side dish with salmon?

I like to pair salmon with simple side dishes like cooked vegetables, rice, potatoes, and salads.

What can I use other than salmon?

Homemade teriyaki sauce makes a fantastic marinade for a variety of meats! If you don’t have salmon or simply want to try the sauce out on a different protein, go for chicken, pork, or tofu.

Can this recipe be grilled instead?

Absolutely! After letting the salmon soak in the marinade, you can grill it for 8-12 minutes or until the salmon has reached an internal temperature of 145°F.

Teriyaki baked salmon on a plate with broccoli, green onions, and sesame seeds with a blue napkin.

More Healthy Salmon Recipes:

The Recipe
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Teriyaki Salmon

425 CAL 11g CARBS 26g FAT 35g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 25 Min
1 Comment
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1.5 lbs salmon
  • 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pat the salmon with paper towels to dry. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Salmon filets being patted dry with a paper towel.
2

Mix together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and black pepper to make the teriyaki marinade.

Teriyaki marinade with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey, and rice vinegar in a bowl.
3

Brush the salmon with about half of the teriyaki marinade and let sit for 15 minutes on the counter. Place the salmon on the baking sheet. Cook for 12-14 minutes until it is almost cooked through.

Salmon with teriyaki marinade in a dish with foil.
4

Carefully open the oven and brush the salmon with the remaining marinade.

Salmon baking in foil in the oven.
5

Turn the oven up to broil and cook for 2-3 minutes to brown the top of the salmon. Watch closely since the salmon can quickly burn. Optional: Top with sesame seeds and green onions.

Teriyaki salmon being broiled in the oven on a baking dish with foil.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 6 oz salmon
Amount Per Serving
Calories 425
Calories from Fat 236
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g
40%
Saturated Fat 6g
29%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 94mg
31%
Sodium 500mg
22%
Total Carbohydrate 11g
3%
Dietary Fiber 0g
1%
Sugars 9g
Protein 35g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Teriyaki Salmon
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Stacey
December 8, 2021 - 16:17
Add a Rating:
5
This was delicious, will definitely make again. I think next time, while the salmon bakes, I'll reduce the marinade to pour over once it's finished. Thanks for an easy and quick recipe!
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