Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A tender, pan-seared salmon fillet glazed with a savory ginger soy sauce, served alongside crisp-tender sautéed bok choy infused with garlic and sesame. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs salmon fillets, fresh ginger, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp honey until combined.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes without moving until the edges are crispy and golden.
  3. Step 3: Flip the salmon and spoon half of the ginger soy mixture over the fillets. Cook for another 3 minutes, basting continuously, until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove salmon from the skillet and tent with foil to keep warm. Lower heat to medium and add 1 tsp sesame oil and 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 halved baby bok choy heads and 1/4 cup water to the skillet. Cover and steam for 3 minutes until bok choy stems are tender but leaves remain bright green.
  6. Step 6: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 1-2 minutes until water evaporates and bok choy edges begin to crisp. Season with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  7. Step 7: Plate salmon fillets topped with remaining ginger soy sauce from the pan, garnish bok choy with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy 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 Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy?

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 Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy 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 Pan-Seared Ginger Soy Salmon with Sautéed Bok Choy?

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.

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