Pan-Seared Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted Spinach
A quick pan-seared salmon glazed with savory miso sauce served on a bed of garlicky wilted spinach for a nutritious meal. This japanese-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 22 minutes pairs white miso paste, soy sauce, 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 fillets (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 cups (about 8 oz) fresh spinach
- 3 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp for garnish sesame seeds
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until smooth to create the miso glaze.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and place skin side down in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon fillets and brush the top side generously with the miso glaze. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and the glaze is caramelized and sticky.
- Step 4: While the salmon cooks, in a separate pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add 8 cups fresh spinach and cook, stirring, until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt.
- Step 5: Serve the glazed salmon fillets atop the wilted spinach, garnished with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted 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 white miso paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted 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 Pan-Seared Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted 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 Pan-Seared Miso-Glazed Salmon with Wilted 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.
