Easy Miso Glazed Salmon

Sweet, savory, and full of umami flavoring, this Miso Glazed Salmon recipe is beyond easy to make! The yummy miso marinade is the star of this dish. This flaky salmon cooks up in under 20 minutes!

Look at the glaze on this salmon! The salmon is perfectly cooked, flaky on the inside, and slightly browned and sticky on the outside from the miso glaze.

Serve it over white or brown rice, and a side of my Chinese Garlic Green Beans. The green beans are blistered until tender, and tossed with tons of garlic and a spicy Asian sauce that is out of this world! This popular, restaurant-style side dish takes only 20 minutes to make.

Jump to:

• What is miso glazed salmon made of?
• Other ingredients
• What is miso paste made of?
• Substitutions and variations
• How to make this miso glazed salmon recipe
• What sides to serve with the miso salmon
• Storing leftovers
• Recipe notes
• Want more salmon recipes like this?
• Easy Miso Glazed Salmon

What is miso glazed salmon made of?

This recipe starts with a beautiful piece of salmon (I prefer sustainably farmed Atlantic salmon because of its fatty texture) from a fish market or the fish counter at your local grocery store. Whole Foods always has the best Atlantic salmon, which is actually Norwegian salmon. The fish will literally melt in your mouth!

DID YOU KNOW? Salmon improves your cardiovascular system, brain, eyes, and liver due to a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D, and B12. So, eat up!

TIPS FOR BUYING SALMON: Make sure to buy a really fresh piece of fish. Don't be afraid to smell it first. If it smells fishy, don't buy it! Ask when the salmon came in, and don't buy it if it's been over three days. Sustainably farmed or wild salmon are both good choices here!

Other ingredients

Miso marinade:

There are only a handful of ingredients in this miso marinade. You probably already have most of these on hand in your pantry. Just whisk it all together, so easy!

[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]

• miso paste
• mirin
• low-sodium soy sauce
• rice vinegar
• sesame oil
• fresh ginger
• green onions

What is miso paste made of?

Miso paste is made with fermented soy beans, rice barley, and wheat. It has a rich taste that's salty, savory, earthy, and mildly sweet. There are several types of miso paste, but I used organic white miso paste for its smooth flavor. It's a popular choice in Japan and is perfect for soups, dressings, and marinades for fish.

In addition, regularly consuming probiotic-rich foods, like miso, may reduce the need for infection-fighting antibiotics by up to 33%. (Healthline.com)

Substitutions and variations

• Make this gluten-free. Simply sub out the soy sauce for gluten-free soy sauce, coconut aminos, or tamari.
• Don't like salmon? Other types of fish work perfectly well with this recipe, like halibut, Chilean sea bass, cod, or haddock.
• Want it spicy? Add in a ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes to the marinade.

Whisk together these simple ingredients for the perfect marinade that's sweet and salty and full of deliciousness in every bite! It's that simple! Make sure to reserve some of the marinade for drizzling on top of the fish after cooking.

How to make this miso glazed salmon recipe

Follow these simple steps for a perfectly cooked fish every time!

[*See recipe card for exact instructions.]

5. Remove from the oven. Drizzle the salmon with the reserved marinade, and sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

The miso salmon should be slightly pink and flaky on the inside, and glazed and sticky on the outside. Of course, if you prefer a more well-done piece of fish, you can cook it a few minutes more.

What sides to serve with the miso salmon

• Blistered Chinese Garlic Green Beans
• Baby Bok Choy with Ginger and Garlic
• Jasmine rice, brown rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice.
• Spicy Asian Brussels Sprouts
• Blistered Shishito Peppers

How gorgeous and healthy is this Miso Glazed Salmon?! I served the fish over Jasmine rice (brown rice is also great!). Treat your family to a fantastic meal that will be on repeat for years to come!

Storing leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers (and I highly doubt you will), you can store the salmon in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to three days. Store any leftover sauce in a separate container, and either freeze or refrigerate.

Recipe notes

• I prefer the sustainably farmed Atlantic (Norwegian) salmon, but you can definitely use wild salmon with this recipe.
• You can also grill the salmon on high heat on a grill pan, or on an outdoor grill, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Just watch it carefully to make sure it doesn't burn!
• Any rice would be great with this dish. I used white rice, but brown rice, fried rice, or cauliflower rice would also be fantastic!
• Rice noodles or soba noodles also make a great base for the fish.
• Make sure to reserve some of the marinade to heat and drizzle on top before serving.

Here's another great salmon recipe! These Red Curry Salmon Kebabs are so healthy, easy, and delicious! Mildly spicy and quickly grilled, this salmon recipe is one you'll want to make over and over again!

Want more salmon recipes like this?

If you liked this Miso Glazed Salmon recipe, you’re going to want these salmon recipes too:

• Asian Rubbed Salmon
• Red Curry Salmon Kebabs
• Wild Salmon Burgers with Broccoli Slaw
• Salmon Sushi Bowl
• Salmon Sashimi with Ponzu

Update Notes: This post was originally published on April 21, 2017, but was republished with new images and text changes, like step-by-step instructions, in May 2023.

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