Pan-Seared Salmon with Miso-Sesame Glaze and Wilted Spinach
Tender salmon fillets pan-seared and brushed with a savory miso-sesame glaze, served atop garlicky wilted spinach for a healthy, flavorful meal. This japanese-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on, tablespoons white miso paste, tablespoons 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 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, skin on
- 3 tablespoons white miso paste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons white miso paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger until smooth and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 3: Place salmon fillets skin side down in the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 4: Flip the salmon and brush the top with half the miso-sesame glaze. Cook an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is just cooked through and glaze is caramelized.
- Step 5: Remove salmon from skillet and keep warm. In the same skillet, add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 6: Add 8 cups fresh spinach and cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still bright green.
- Step 7: Serve the glazed salmon fillets over the wilted spinach, sprinkling 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds on top for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Miso-Sesame Glaze and Wilted 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 Miso-Sesame Glaze and 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 tablespoons white miso paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Miso-Sesame Glaze and 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 Salmon with Miso-Sesame Glaze and 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Salmon with Miso-Sesame Glaze and Wilted 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.
