Teriyaki Salmon

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.

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:

• Asian Kale Apple Slaw
• Roasted Bok Choy
• Sauteed Snow Peas
• Grilled Green Beans
• Roasted Asian Broccoli
• Crispy Asian Brussel Sprouts

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.

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.

More Healthy Salmon Recipes:

• Italian Salmon with Tomato Basil Salsa
• Honey Garlic Salmon
• Baked Garlic Lemon Salmon in Foil
• Mustard and Maple Glazed Salmon
• Dill Salmon Burgers