This miso salmon is fresh fish fillets soaked in a flavorful marinade, then broiled to perfection and topped with sesame seeds. A unique and delicious main course option that takes just minutes to put together!

When I’m looking for fresh ways to serve up salmon, I turn to family favorite salmon recipes such as almond crusted salmon, honey glazed salmon, broiled salmon and this flavorful miso salmon. Serve your salmon with a side of sushi rice and watch the rave reviews come in!

A platter of miso salmon fillets topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

My favorite Japanese restaurant serves the best miso salmon, I end up ordering it every time I go! I’ve since learned to make this dish at home, and it’s actually quite simple to prepare.

Miso Salmon Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need salmon fillets, miso paste, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds and green onions.

How Do You Make Miso Salmon?

Start by whisking together a marinade of miso paste, mirin, brown sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce and fresh ginger. Place the salmon in the marinade, and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Preheat the broiler, then place the salmon fillets on a pan. Spoon any remaining marinade over the top of the fish. Broil until the salmon is just cooked through. Add a garnish topping of sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then serve and enjoy.

Salmon fillets with an assortment of ingredient bowls.

Tips For The Perfect Dish

  • I like to use fresh salmon whenever possible as I find the flavor and texture is better than frozen. When it’s available, I choose wild caught king or sockeye salmon. I’ve also made this recipe with Atlantic salmon with good results.
  • This recipe calls for mirin, which is a sweet Japanese rice wine that’s designed for cooking with. You can find mirin in the international foods aisle of most major grocery stores or in local Asian markets. Rice vinegar will work in a pinch, although the flavor is not exactly the same.
  • Line your pan with foil for easy clean up!
  • You don’t need to add any salt to the marinade, as there is plenty of salt in the miso paste and soy sauce.
  • Serve your salmon over steamed rice with a vegetable on the side such as sauteed mushrooms and onions, roasted green beans, grilled broccoli or sauteed cabbage. I typically use sushi grade white or brown rice.
  • This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can reheat any leftovers in the oven in a covered pan at 350 degrees F until warmed through.

Quick Tip

Be careful not to overcook your salmon! Salmon is done when the flesh is opaque and it can be flaked with a fork.

Salmon in a bowl of marinade.

Recipe FAQs

What is miso made of?

Miso is a fermented soybean paste that adds a rich and savory flavor to dishes. It is a commonly used ingredient in Japanese cooking. Miso comes in different varieties and is typically found in tubs in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. My store carries miso in the dairy area. This recipe calls for white miso paste, which is typically quite easy to find and has a smooth, mild flavor.

Is salmon healthy?

Salmon is great addition to any healthy diet because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids thought to help reduce blood pressure, lessen inflammation and help protect against cancer. Salmon is also full of nutrients including protein as well as vitamins A, B and D, selenium, potassium and phosphorus. This combination of nutrients and vitamins is thought to support brain function, immunity and strong bones. So go ahead, enjoy that succulent salmon fillet with zero guilt!

How do you use miso?

Miso can be used to add umami flavor in marinades like this recipe. It’s also great when made into miso soup, and adds a punch of savory flavor to salad dressing, stir fries and noodle dishes.

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Marinated salmon pieces on a sheet pan.

Miso Salmon Flavor Variations

This recipe is great as-is, but you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

  • Fish: While this recipe is typically made with salmon, you can substitute another firm fish such as swordfish, halibut and Chilean sea bass.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to add some quick cooking veggies to the sheet pan such as snow peas, asparagus, zucchini or bell peppers.
  • Flavorings: You can add other ingredients to the sauce such as sriracha and minced garlic or swap out the mirin for sake.
Miso salmon served with rice and green beans.

Miso salmon is a must-try recipe that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. While this dish is easy enough to prepare on a busy weeknight, it’s also elegant enough to serve to company. If you love this recipe, you’ll also want to check out some of my other Asian inspired favorites including beef bulgogi and ahi tuna salad.

More Salmon Recipes To savor

Miso Salmon Video

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

5 from 54 votes

Miso Salmon

AuthorSara Welch
A platter of miso salmon fillets topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
This miso salmon is fresh fish fillets soaked in a flavorful marinade, then broiled to perfection and topped with sesame seeds. A unique and delicious main course option that takes just minutes to put together!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinating Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Asian
Serves 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/4 pounds salmon cut into 4 fillets
  • 3 tablespoons white miso paste
  • 1/4 cup mirin can also use sake
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds black, white or both
  • 2 tablespoons green onions thinly sliced
  • cooking spray

Instructions 

  • Place the miso, mirin, brown sugar, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  • Add the salmon fillets to the bowl and spoon the marinade over the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
  • Preheat the broiler. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the salmon fillets on the sheet pan and spoon any excess marinade over the top.
  • Broil for 8-10 minutes or until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.

Notes

  1. I like to use fresh salmon whenever possible as I find the flavor and texture is better than frozen. When it’s available, I choose wild caught king or sockeye salmon. I’ve also made this recipe with Atlantic salmon with good results.
  2. This recipe calls for mirin, which is a sweet Japanese rice wine that’s designed for cooking with. You can find mirin in the international foods aisle of most major grocery stores or in local Asian markets.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 721mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I could eat bowls of this sauce!! I actually use the red miso paste and it’s a bit saltier but delicious! I add a bit of fresh lemon juice for some brightness. I love the ease of prep and it has turned out beautifully every time! Thanks so much for a GREAT recipe!!

  2. 5 stars
    Yum. Similar to a recipe I’ve been using for years, I will use this one along with my old one for a little variety… Plus I added a little bit of lemon juice and fresh minced garlic. Thank you for some new fresh ideas! Delicious, I did not marinate, I only broiled with a little bit of avocado oil and salt and pepper on the salmon and then added the glaze sauce at the end for just a few more minutes under the broiler.