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    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Healthy Asian Rubbed Salmon

    February 24, 2022 · Published: January 6, 2020 By: Asian Caucasian 16 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    seared salmon filets on a cutting board with lemon slices

    Is your tummy ready for 2020? Here's one of my favorite dishes to prepare this year, my melt-in-your-mouth, seared Norwegian Asian Rubbed Salmon recipe. It's fatty and rich with flavor! It's also super healthy to fulfill your New Year's resolutions!

    seared salmon filets topped with fresh herbs and a lemon slice on a wooden cutting board

    Here's one of my go-to recipes. It's incredibly simple and incredibly good! You don't have to use Norwegian salmon, any salmon (like wild salmon) will do. I just think a fattier salmon is best (don't worry, it's the "good" omega fat).

    If you shop at Whole Foods they always have the Norwegian salmon on hand. Just ask the fishmonger!

    raw salmon filets on top of a wooden board

    Norwegian salmon is fatty and full of healthy Omega 3's!

    Chinese five spice in a black bowl with a spoon full of five spice in the background

    What is Chinese Five Spice:

    Chinese Five Spice is a very common Asian ingredient all five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami. There are five traditional spices in this delightful Asian seasoning:

    • star anise
    • cloves
    • Chinese cinnamon (or regular cinnamon)
    • Sichuan pepper
    • fennel seeds

    This spice is often used by adding it to stew meat or poultry, making it part of a marinade, or as a spice rub when roasting foods.

    HOW TO MAKE ASIAN RUBBED SALMON:

    This is about the easiest recipe on the planet! Only 20 minutes to deliciousness!

    1. Combine all spices in a small glass bowl. Pat the salmon filets with paper towels. Brush the canola oil on both sides of the fish. Generously sprinkle salmon with spice mixture on both sides.
    2. Heat a large cast iron pan or heavy skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil on medium-high to high heat. Place salmon skin side down in the pan. Cook for 4 minutes until nicely seared. Turn fish over and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until fish is light pink.
    3. Garnish with herbs and lemon wedges on the side. Serve with a side of rice if desired.
    seared salmon filets topped with fresh herbs and a lemon slice on a wooden cutting board

    TIPS & TRICKS:

    • Honey powder can be found at specialty spice stores like Penzy's, or on Amazon. You can always just use honey if you can't find this.
    • Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. I guarantee you that this salmon will melt in your mouth, unless you overcook it!
    • I love a crispy salmon skin, but if you're not into fish skin, then pull it off (such a waste!).

    WANT MORE?

    If you like this recipe, you’re going to want these recipes:

    • Red Curry Salmon Kebabs
    • Miso Glazed Salmon
    • Wild Salmon Burgers with Broccoli Slaw
    • Sushi Tacos with Salmon and Tuna

    Update Notes: This post was originally published on February 28, 2017, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step by step instructions and tips in December 2019.

    Print
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    seared salmon filets topped with fresh herbs and a lemon slice on a wooden cutting board

    Asian Rubbed Salmon

    ★★★★★

    5 from 8 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Seared to perfection, this Asian Rubbed Salmon is fatty and full of flavor from the Chinese Five Spice rub! It's melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

    • Total Time: 20 mins
    • Yield: 4 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon Chinese Five-Spice powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon honey powder or teaspoon honey
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
    • 2 tablespoons canola oil
    • Fresh thyme or cilantro for garnish
    • Lemon wedges for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Combine all spices in a small glass bowl. Pat the salmon filets with paper towels. Brush the canola oil on both sides of the fish. Generously sprinkle salmon with spice mixture on both sides.
    2. Heat a large cast iron pan or heavy skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil on medium-high to high heat. Place salmon skin side down in the pan. Cook for 4 minutes until nicely seared. Turn fish over and cook another 2 to 3 minutes until fish is light pink.
    3. Garnish with herbs and lemon wedges on the side. Serve with a side of rice if desired.

    Notes

    • Honey powder can be found at specialty spice stores like Penzy's, or on Amazon. You can always just use honey if you can't find this.
    • Let the salmon rest for 5 minutes before serving. I guarantee you that this salmon will melt in your mouth, unless you overcook it!
    • I love a crispy salmon skin, but if you're not into fish skin, then pull it off (such a waste!).
    • Author: Asian Caucasian
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 10 mins
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stove Top
    • Cuisine: Asian Fusion

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 298
    • Sugar: 1.5 g
    • Sodium: 716.8 mg
    • Fat: 15.1 g
    • Carbohydrates: 3.1 g
    • Protein: 38.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 86.9 mg

    Keywords: grilled salmon, Chinese five spice, grilled salmon rub, simple grilled salmon, seared salmon

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @AsianCaucasianBlog on Instagram and hashtag  #AsianCaucasianEats

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lathiya

      January 26, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      I love fish and the spices used in this recipe sounds great. I have never used chinese five spice powder. Will have to check in my grocery store.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 26, 2020 at 5:23 pm

        It's a unique, very fragrant spice! I think you'll love it!

        Reply
    2. Emily

      January 13, 2020 at 6:34 pm

      You can't go wrong with Chinese five spice- such an amazing combo of flavors and tastes amazing on salmon.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 14, 2020 at 2:41 pm

        The five spice really brightens the flavor in this salmon recipe. So good!

        Reply
    3. Jacque Hastert

      January 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm

      I can't wait to try this! We love all the spices that combined to make this one healthy and delicious dish perfect for any night of the week.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 14, 2020 at 2:41 pm

        I could eat salmon every day, honestly! It's so good and good for you!

        Reply
    4. Jere Cassidy

      January 10, 2020 at 1:25 am

      I just love salmon and love the fact it can be cooked so quickly. I love the spices you have in your rub, all of them are in my cupboard so I need to give this recipe a try.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm

        I think you're going to love it too! Thanks, Jere!

        Reply
    5. Jacqui Debono

      January 08, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      I love salmon, especially how good it is for you. I can't wait to try this version! My kids may eat it this way too.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 08, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        Thanks, Jacqui! This salmon just has overall great flavor from all of the spices!

        Reply
    6. Stine Mari

      January 08, 2020 at 6:08 am

      It's funny (and sad) that I'm Norwegian, living in the fishiest areas of Norway, and I can't stand fish. But my New Year resolutions involve eating more fish as there are so many recipes that look incredible. And this definitely looks fantastic with all the spices so it's first on my list!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 08, 2020 at 10:08 am

        Oh my! Hope you acquire a taste for fish! I simply could not live without it! And, the Norwegian salmon is my all-time favorite.

        Reply
    7. Nancy Block

      January 06, 2020 at 9:25 am

      I’m obsessed with fatty salmon! It’s so good for you and takes so rich. Can’t wait to try your recipe! 😘

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 06, 2020 at 9:26 am

        Me too, Nancy! I try to eat the Norwegian salmon at least once a week. Great health benefits like Omega-3's!

        Reply
    8. Vicki Summers

      November 11, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      I made this recipe last night for my family and they all LOVED it! It was an easy but delicious salmon recipe which I'll definitely make again. Thank you, Lesli!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 11, 2019 at 5:20 pm

        You're so welcome, Vicki! This is a recipe I return to again and again. So glad you liked it!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lesli! Welcome to Asian Caucasian, a healthy-ish food blog born out of a passion for home-cooked, Asian-inspired cuisine. I always cook with market-fresh ingredients and prepare simplistic, healthy Asian recipes so you can throw away those take-out menus! Come share my culinary love of beautiful Asian-fusion food, and get cooking in the kitchen! READ MORE!

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