Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sautéed Spinach
Rich salmon fillets brushed with a savory miso glaze and paired with tender garlic sautéed spinach for a balanced meal. This japanese-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, white miso paste, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 8 cups (about 240g), washed and trimmed fresh spinach
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until smooth to create the glaze.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and brush the top of each with the miso glaze. Let rest for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place salmon on a lined baking sheet, skin-side down, and bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through and glaze is caramelized.
- Step 4: While salmon bakes, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Add 8 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until wilted and tender. Season lightly with salt.
- Step 6: Serve the miso-glazed salmon atop the garlic spinach and sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds for garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sautéed Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with 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 Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with 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 Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sautéed Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sautéed Spinach gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
