Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach
Oven-baked salmon fillets glazed with a savory-sweet miso sauce served alongside wilted spinach tossed with toasted sesame seeds. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 25 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 350 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 8 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Step 2: Place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down on a lined baking sheet. Brush each fillet generously with the miso glaze. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through and glaze caramelizes slightly.
- Step 3: While salmon bakes, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 cups fresh spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Transfer spinach to serving plates, sprinkle with 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds, and top each portion with a miso-glazed salmon fillet. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame 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 Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame 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 Sesame 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 Sesame 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.
What goes well with Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach?
Japanese 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple to prepare and the flavors are amazing. My new favorite salmon recipe.
- ★★★★★
The miso glaze is divine! I served it with rice and it was a complete meal.
- ★★★★★
Easy and delicious. My kids even ate the salmon without complaining. Will make again.