Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach
Pan-seared salmon fillets glazed with a ginger-soy sauce paired with vibrant spinach sautéed with toasted sesame seeds for a balanced, popular fish entrée. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, soy sauce, grated fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 minced garlic cloves to create the glaze.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat 2 salmon fillets dry and place skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and brush the ginger-soy glaze over the cooked side. Cook another 3-4 minutes, brushing glaze occasionally, until salmon is cooked through and glaze is sticky.
- Step 4: While salmon cooks, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 6 cups baby spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and season with 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss to combine.
- Step 6: Serve the glazed salmon over the sesame spinach with lime wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ginger-Soy Glazed Salmon with Sesame Sautéed Spinach?
Asian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
