Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame Spinach
A quick pan-seared salmon glazed with a sweet and savory honey miso sauce served with lightly sautéed sesame spinach. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs skin on (6 oz each) salmon fillets, white miso paste, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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, skin on (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until smooth to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets with skin on and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until the skin is crisp.
- Step 3: Flip salmon and brush the tops generously with half of the miso glaze. Cook an additional 3 minutes until salmon is just cooked through and glaze is sticky. Remove salmon and keep warm.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp sesame oil and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 6 cups baby spinach and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Toss and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
- Step 5: Serve salmon over a bed of sesame spinach, drizzling remaining miso glaze over the fish and sprinkling 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame Spinach 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 Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame 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 Salmon with Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame 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 Salmon with Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Salmon with Honey Miso Glaze and Sesame Spinach?
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.
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