Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with Sesame Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-fried salmon fillets glazed with a sweet and savory orange soy sauce, served atop sesame-infused sautéed spinach. This asian fusion-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (5 oz each) salmon fillets, soy sauce, fresh orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Asian Fusion cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes until edges are crispy. Flip and cook 3 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Pour half of the orange soy glaze over salmon in the skillet and cook another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the salmon.
  4. Step 4: Remove salmon and keep warm. In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 4 cups fresh spinach, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts but remains bright green. Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds over spinach and serve salmon on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with 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 Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with 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 (5 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with 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 Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with Sesame Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Soy-Glazed Orange Salmon with Sesame Spinach?

Asian Fusion 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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