Pan-Seared Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Fresh salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory ginger soy sauce, pan-seared to a crisp golden finish and topped with toasted sesame seeds. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs 6 oz each, skin on salmon fillets, soy sauce, grated fresh ginger 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 tbsp honey, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp sesame oil until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and place skin-side down in the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip the salmon carefully and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Pour the prepared ginger soy glaze over the salmon and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens and coats the fish.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds 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 Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds?

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 Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds 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 Pan-Seared Salmon with Ginger Soy Glaze and Sesame Seeds?

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.

Related recipes