Easy Teriyaki Salmon

This Easy Teriyaki Salmon recipe is flavorful, tender, and absolutely delicious. The 5-ingredient homemade teriyaki sauce makes this easy meal a family favorite and the whole dish comes together with pan searing in under 45 minutes. Pair it with your favorite side for a healthy and hearty meal the whole family will love.

Remember when I said I would bring more quick and easy dinners? Well, I am true to my word. I know what you need because I need them too, especially on busy weeknights. The reality is as much as we love all the special occasions, most of our meals come during ordinary days when we are often pressed for time.

That’s why I love easy dinners that are quick to whip up. One of the great benefits of making food at home is that almost always they are inherently healthier than takeout. And taste better too. 

So if you haven’t seen these family favorites, check out Sheet Pan Chicken Stir Fry, Sheet Pan Sausage and Acorn Squash, and Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup.

And now we can add this Baked Teriyaki Salmon recipe to our collection of easy dinners. Light and flaky salmon covered in a sweet, salty sauce - this seafood meal will quickly become part of your regular dinner rotation.

The teriyaki sauce is made with pantry staples, so you can whip this up any night of the week. Gently simmer it on the stovetop to create a luxuriously sweet sauce that pairs well with oven-baked salmon.

Baked teriyaki salmon is easy to prepare, deliciously tender, and a gluten-free meal that the whole family will love. 

Easy Teriyaki Salmon Ingredients

This delicious teriyaki salmon recipe comes together with six simple ingredients. The easy teriyaki marinade contains ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. All you need is some wild salmon fillets, and you can get dinner on the table in under 45 minutes - just enough time to cook a pot of white or brown rice and a simple salad for a complete meal.

• Salmon - salmon fillets with the skin are best; for maximum health benefits and if budget allows, use wild-caught salmon; it’s best to have evenly sized salmon fillets for even cooking
• Tamari - this is another term for gluten-free soy sauce and it’s essential that you use tamari if you want this dish to be gluten-free
• Sesame oil 
• Brown sugar - you can also use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey as healthier sweeteners
• Garlic - three minced garlic cloves add fantastic flavor; use fresh garlic for best results but garlic powder will work in a pinch
• Corn starch - this is used to thicken the sauce as you boil it on the stove; you can make a cornstarch slurry or add it directly to the marinade in the saucepan

How to Make Teriyaki Salmon

This easy salmon dish comes together quickly with a small saucepan and a baking dish. The printable recipe is in the recipe card for your convenience.

Step 1.

In a small bowl, whisk tamari, sesame oil, brown sugar, minced garlic, and corn starch. 

Step 2. 

Add salmon fillets to a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Toss to coat the fish well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

Step 3.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Spray a baking dish or sheet pan with cooking spray. My favorite cooking sprays are made with avocado oil, coconut oil, or olive oil.

Step 4.

Transfer the salmon without the marinade onto the prepared pan and bake in the preheated oven for 14-18 minutes or until salmon flakes easily. Don’t overcook the salmon as it will become dry and rubbery.

Step 5.

Pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. It’s important to bring it to a boil before eating since it was used on raw salmon.

Step 6.

Reduce heat to medium and simmer until thickened. The combination of heat, brown sugar, and cornstarch will help the sauce thicken.

Step 7.

Brush the reserved marinade on top of the salmon and serve hot.

Variations

Baked salmon is a very versatile dish. Flaky fish paired with your own homemade teriyaki sauce makes for a wonderfully flavorful salmon. However, there are various ways you can jazz up this easy dinner. Check out these ideas:

• Add heat:  double the garlic and add red pepper flakes for some extra kick
• Fresh ginger: freshly grated ginger and tamari make a great pair and add amazing Asian flavors
• Add acid: to cut some of that umami-flavored tamari sauce, consider adding a splash of lime or lemon juice
• Finish well: don’t forget to garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for a lovely finishing touch

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Food Safety

Cooking salmon typically takes approximately 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. The color will change from translucent to opaque when the salmon has cooked through and should easily flake with a fork. 

The best way to check for the doneness of salmon is to use an instant-read meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the fish. The internal temperature of salmon should be 125 degrees Fahrenheit.  You’ll notice this is lower than FDA recommended because salmon will continue to cook with residual heat. So the temperature will rise even when the salmon has been removed from heat. Cook salmon to a temperature that feels comfortable for you.

Additionally, ensure that you bring the marinade to a boil after removing the raw salmon to avoid food-borne illnesses. 

Helpful Tips

This easy teriyaki salmon recipe is pretty simple on its own. But consider these helpful tips for best results:

• Start with dry fish. For the most flavorful fish, always start with patting it dry with paper towel to remove excess liquid. The marinade will adhere better, yielding a better-tasting salmon overall. 
• Don’t overcook salmon. For thinner salmon fillets, start checking them at the 8-minute mark and look for an opaque salmon color.
• Easy clean-up. Add hot water to the saucepan while it’s still warm to remove the crystallized sugar and cornstarch.

Storage Instructions

Leftover teriyaki salmon can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 

You can gently reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds or enjoy it cold over a bed of greens for an easy lunch salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I let salmon marinate?

Thirty minutes is the ideal length of time for the salmon to marinate in the teriyaki salmon marinade. You don’t want the fish to sit in the marinade longer than 45 minutes as it will start to break down and get mushy due to the salt and sugars in the marinade. 

Do you have to rinse salmon before cooking?

The USDA recommends that you do not rinse seafood before cooking as the bacteria in these raw juices can spread to other foods and surfaces. Furthermore, cooking foods thoroughly will kill any harmful bacteria. 

What is teriyaki sauce made of?

Teriyaki sauce is a wonderful Japanese sauce with bold flavors. It usually contains soy sauce, mirin, sweetener, and aromatics like garlic, ginger, and pepper. Cornstarch is often added as a thickener. Teriyaki sauce is a great way to elevate any protein like salmon, chicken, or pork. 

Serving Suggestions

This salmon teriyaki is a great recipe when you are short on time but need a flavorful, quick, and healthy dinner on the table fast.

All you need is a side of rice and roasted vegetables. Bok choy or green beans make a perfect combination with this juicy salmon. Or this Spring Green Salad with Asparagus would also pair well.

Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a lovely finish and you have a well-balanced complete meal in under 45 minutes.

Easy Teriyaki Salmon Nutrition

It’s no surprise that having a varied diet of different sources of protein is necessary and healthy. Therefore, adding teriyaki salmon to your meal rotation is an easy way to diversify nutrients. 

Salmon is an excellent source of healthy fats and protein. It is packed with numerous vitamins and minerals. According to Healthline, wild salmon is higher in protein and lower in calories than farmed salmon. But if farmed is all that’s accessible to you, it’s still considered a nutritious food.

Need More Healthy Dinner Recipes to Try?

• Gluten Free Salmon Piccata
• Salmon Tostadas
• Sticky Maple Salmon
• Fail Proof Tender London Broil