Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad
Pan-seared salmon glazed in a savory-sweet sesame soy sauce, paired with a refreshing quick pickled cucumber salad. This asian-inspired seafood ready in about 27 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, soy sauce, honey 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, thinly sliced cucumber
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 2 minced garlic cloves to make the glaze.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 4 salmon fillets and place skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp, then flip and cook 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour the glaze over the salmon in the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, spooning the glaze over the fish until it thickens and coats the salmon.
- Step 4: While salmon cooks, combine 1 medium thinly sliced cucumber with 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a bowl. Toss and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Serve the glazed salmon topped with 2 thinly sliced green onions alongside the pickled cucumber salad.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 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 Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad?
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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad?
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 Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad 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 Sesame-Soy Glazed Salmon with Pickled Cucumber Salad?
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.
