Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach Salad
Oven-baked salmon fillets glazed with a savory-sweet miso sauce paired with a refreshing spinach salad dressed in toasted sesame and soy. 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 380 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 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for salad)
- 2 tsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced scallions
- 1 tsp for baking dish vegetable oil
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, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp soy sauce until smooth to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Lightly oil a baking dish with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down and brush each generously with the miso glaze.
- Step 3: Bake salmon for 12-15 minutes until cooked through and glaze is caramelized and slightly bubbly.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, rinse and drain 6 cups fresh baby spinach. In a large bowl, whisk 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
- Step 5: Toss spinach with the dressing, then sprinkle 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions on top.
- Step 6: Serve each salmon fillet alongside a portion of sesame spinach salad while warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach Salad 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 Salad?
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 Salad?
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 Salad 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 Salad?
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.
