This recipe for salmon teriyaki is seared salmon fillets covered with a homemade teriyaki sauce and finished off with sesame seeds. An easy and healthy dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant!
I can’t take credit for this recipe for salmon teriyaki. It’s actually something my mom has been making for years, except she uses a store bought sauce. Salmon is a favorite in my household, one of my  twins requests it all the time. Flaky and tender fish with sweet and savory teriyaki sauce – how could you go wrong? I always order salmon teriyaki when I go to restaurants, so I’m so happy that it’s super simple to make at home.
How Do You Make Salmon Teriyaki?
This recipe starts with the teriyaki sauce – it takes about 5 minutes to make and uses basic ingredients that you probably already have in the house. This teriyaki sauce is great for stir fry too. After you’ve got the sauce made, place the salmon in a pan and sear it on both sides to a golden brown. It’s really worth the extra cooking time to sear the fish; the outside gets crispy and the inside stays tender for an awesome texture contrast. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the salmon, and dinner is served!
This salmon teriyaki is a quick meal to make, it’s ready in about 20 minutes. The teriyaki sauce can be made up to 3 days before you plan to use it. Or you can make a double batch and put some in the freezer for next time.
This recipe is perfect served over steamed rice with a side of broccoli for an easy weeknight dinner,  but is elegant enough to serve to company. The sesame seeds and green onion are the perfect finishing touches that make this dish taste like it came straight out of a Japanese restaurant. I try and use a high quality fresh salmon here, it really makes a difference in the final dish.
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Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Marinated Salmon With Garlic and Herbs
- Salmon Foil Packets
- Honey Garlic Salmon
- Honey Mustard Salmon
- Salmon in Foil with Lemon and Dill
Salmon Teriyaki
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (approximately 4 ounces each)
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- For the teriyaki sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
Instructions
- For the teriyaki sauce: Place the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey and sesame oil in a small pot over medium high heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Turn up heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water until dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture to the sauce and boil for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Set sauce aside.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over high heat. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper to taste. Place the salmon, skin side up in the pan and sear until a golden brown crust forms, about 5 minutes. Turn the salmon and cook for approximately 5 minutes on the other side, or until cooked through.
- Pour the teriyaki sauce over the salmon. Add the sesame seeds and green onions and serve.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on April 24, 2016 and was updated August 29, 2017 with new photos.
raerae says
This was really good! I didn’t have sesame seeds or green onions, so I left those out. I substituted a less than a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger for fresh ginger since I didn’t have that either. (I was too lazy to go to the store but not too lazy to make this great dish!) Since I’m allergic to corn, I used potato starch instead of cornstarch and it worked just fine. Thanks for a great recipe! I can’t imagine how much more delicious it will be next time when I have all the ingredients!
Kim says
My kids loved this recipe. I added the seeds and onions for a garnish and it was amazing with rice and corn. I didn’t have broccoli but I will do both of them next time. I made extra sauce so I can use it on some chicken in a couple of days.
Gg says
I don’t have fresh ginger
Eileen says
What happened to the pineapple salsa that was with this recipe. ? I am so disappointed that part is gone. I originally pinned the recipe with the salsa. I noticed it was updated in 2017. Why was that?
Sara says
Here is the same pineapple salsa, you can absolutely add it back in! https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/pulled-chicken-tacos/
Bea says
This is my favorite thing to make for guests! I serve it with a fruit salsa and quinoa rice side dish.
Faye Finney says
Hello if you take the shortcut and use a bottle of Teriyaki sauce would you still use the same ingredients as if you was making it homemade ? If you take the shortcut n buy the bottle of Teriyaki sauce how would your prepare the sauce then ?
Sara says
If you’re going to use store bought teriyaki sauce, just skip steps 2 and 3 in the recipe!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
Don’t you just love that salmon is so versatile, Sara? I also love that you can prepare it so quickly and it’s such an elegant meal. This is a perfect meld of flavors and looks absolutely scrumptious! I will serve this for dinner guests 🙂
Greg says
What an amazing idea for a salsa. Pineapple salsa would be perfect on Teriyaki salmon.
cheri says
Salmon is my favorite, love how you treated it here. Beautiful dish!!!!
Debbie says
Beautiful salmon dish!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
This is my kind of meal! I love salmon and pineapple and so perfect with the teriyaki sauce 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Your mom has such a good thing going – thanks for sharing it with us! Love the bright, fresh flavors and beautiful color you’ve got int this dish! So perfect for spring and summer, actually, I would love it any time of year!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
Just stunning, pineapple salsa is one of my favorite things in the world, I love it on steak. It looks like you’ve cooked your salmon to perfection!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Salmon rice bowls have been on my list forever! Your recipe and presentation is perfect. Pineapple salsa is amazing on just about anything – but never thought to put it on salmon. Love it! Sharing and pinning 🙂