Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice
Flaky salmon glazed in a sweet-savory teriyaki sauce, served over fragrant rice with toasted sesame seeds — a restaurant-worthy weeknight meal. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 32 minutes pairs salmon fillets, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cups rice
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb salmon fillets dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove until combined. Pour half the sauce over salmon, coating both sides, and marinate for 10 minutes while prepping rice.
- Step 2: Cook 2 cups rice according to package directions. While rice cooks, heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining teriyaki sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 3: Add salmon to the skillet skin-side down, spooning excess sauce over it. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until salmon flakes easily with a fork and sauce is bubbly.
- Step 4: Once rice is done, fluff with a fork and stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Plate rice, top with salmon, and drizzle with pan sauce. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and extra sesame seeds.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice take to make?
Total time is about 32 minutes (10 min prep + 22 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 Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice?
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 salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice?
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 Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice 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 Teriyaki Ginger Salmon with Sesame Rice?
Japanese asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.