Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions
Tender salmon fillets glazed with a savory miso sauce, served atop wilted sesame spinach and garnished with fresh scallions for an umami-packed meal. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 30 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 370 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 soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 3 sliced thin scallions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until smooth to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and brush each generously with the miso glaze. Let rest for 10 minutes to marinate.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until edges are crispy and golden.
- Step 4: Flip salmon carefully and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and glaze caramelizes. Remove salmon from pan and keep warm.
- Step 5: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6: Add 6 cups baby spinach and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still bright green. Season with black pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Plate sautéed spinach and top with miso-glazed salmon. Garnish with 3 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions?
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 Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions?
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 Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions 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 Miso-Glazed Salmon with Sesame Spinach and Scallions?
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.
