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Prep 20 minutesmins
Cook 10 minutesmins
Total 1 dayd30 minutesmins
Sweet, savory, and full of umami flavor, salmon is marinated with a rich miso glaze and then broiled until juicy, flaky perfection. This delicious caramelized miso salmon only needs five ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes in the oven!
Tender, juicy salmon with a smokey caramelized miso glaze that is sweet, savory, and umami-rich in every bite—this beautiful miso salmon recipe is as elegant as it is delicious. Miso salmon is our favorite easy weeknight dinner or date night recipe, and it is also packed with so many health benefits. It is the one Japanese recipe you need to save in your rotation because it is so good!
The hardest part about this recipe is waiting 24 hours for the miso marinade to permeate the salmon, but after that, it only takes less than 10 minutes to broil in the oven. Plus, this Nobu inspired miso salmon recipe is so easy to make and does not come with a premium price tag!
Miso salmon is a Japanese dish that consists of fresh salmon marinated in a white miso, mirin, sake, and sugar marinade and then broiled until perfectly caramelized and charred along the edges. This delicious seafood dish is most commonly served with steamed rice and a side of vegetables for a well-balanced lunch or dinner.
This miso salmon recipe is inspired by Nobu and similar to its famous miso cod. If you are looking for more Nobu-inspired recipes, check out our spicy tuna crispy rice.
Ingredients
You can find all the ingredients for this miso salmon recipe at your local Asian grocery store. Full measurements and links to everything I used are listed in the recipe card below.
Salmon: use fresh, skin on, center cut salmon for the best texture and flavor.
Mirin: a sweet rice wine that adds a complex flavor to the miso salmon marinade.
Sake adds umami and natural sweetness. My go-to sake for cooking is Sho Chiku Bai, which is regular drinking sake without added salt.
White Miso Paste: white miso perfectly pairs with salmon and is the lightest, mildest form of miso.
Brown Sugar: adds a gentle sweetness to the miso salmon marinade.
Substitutions and Additions
Substitutions
Red or Brown Miso: a good alternative to white miso for a deeper miso flavor.
Chinese rice wine: an alternative to sake.
Dry sherry: an alternative to sake.
Additions
Soy Sauce: adds additional salty umami flavor.
Sesame oil: adds a tiny hint of nutty aromatic flavor.
Green onions: add a nice fresh garnish.
Sesame seeds: add a nutty textural garnish.
How to Make Miso Salmon
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to make this miso salmon recipe.
In a small pot, add the mirin and sake and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Lower the heat to low, add the miso paste and brown sugar, and whisk until smooth. Let the marinade cool to room temperature.
Slice the salmon into individual-sized filets. Then, place them in a shallow dish or a sealable bag and pour in the cooled marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours.
Preheat your oven to the broil setting with the wire rack sitting in the center of your oven. Place the salmon on a lightly greased, foil-lined baking tray about 2 inches apart, brush with the marinade, and bring to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Broil for 7-8 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Select fresh salmon. Buy fresh skin-on center-cut salmon with a deep pink color from your trusted local grocery market. Make sure to use filets that are similar in thickness for even cooking.
Marinate for at least 24 hours. The longer the miso glazed salmon marinates in the marinade, the deeper and richer the flavor.
Line the baking sheet with foil. You will need to protect your pan by lining it with foil. Grease the foil with oil to prevent the skin from sticking.
Place your oven rack in the center of the oven. The oven rack should sit about 8-9 inches from the top of the oven.
Bring the salmon to room temperature. Before you broil, take the miso marinated salmon out of the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes. This will allow the salmon to cook more evenly and prevent overcooking.
Cook times may vary. Since the sizes of salmon filets vary drastically, the cook times will also vary. You may need to watch the oven to see if your salmon needs to cook longer.
Storage Instructions
This miso-glazed salmon is best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: bake in the oven, or air fryer at 350°F until warm, or microwave covered with a wet paper towel until warm.
Pairing Suggestions
This miso salmon recipe can be served on its own, with a bowl of steamed rice or with the following pairing suggestions.
The ideal time to marinate is 24 hours, and up to 48 hours is ideal for the miso salmon marinade to permeate the salmon.
What kind of miso do I use for the miso marinated salmon?
I used white miso, which is the mildest type of miso and has a mild, sweet, and nutty flavor. You can also use red or brown miso, which are stronger, saltier, and have a deeper umami flavor, but you may need to adjust the other seasonings to balance the flavor.
How do I know my miso salmon is done cooking?
The miso-glazed salmon is done when the edges have caramelized, the salmon flakes easily with a fork, and the internal temperature is 120-125°F (48-51°C) for medium-rare or 125-135°F (51-57°C) for medium. The USDA recommends 145°F (63°C), which may yield a dry and unsatisfying texture.
Is this miso salmon recipe healthy?
Yes! This miso salmon recipe has only five ingredients and is broiled to perfection. Salmon is an excellent protein source packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for heart health, brain health, and inflammation.
Sweet, savory, and full of umami flavor, salmon is marinated with a rich miso glaze and then broiled until juicy, flaky perfection. This delicious caramelized miso salmon only needs five ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes in the oven!
Simmer the mirin and sake. Add the mirin and sake to a small pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Let it gently simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients. Lower the heat to low, add the miso paste and brown sugar, and whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and bring the marinade to room temperature.
Prepare the salmon. Slice the salmon into individual-sized filets. Then, place them in a shallow dish or a sealable bag and pour in the cooled marinade. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours.
Broil. Preheat your oven to the broil setting with the wire rack in the center. Place the salmon on a lightly greased, foil-lined baking tray about 2 inches apart, brush with the marinade, and bring to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Broil for 8-10 minutes or until slightly charred along the edges.
Serve. Serve immediately with steamed rice and enjoy!
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