Miso Salmon Recipe

Name: Miso Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs. salmon (about (4) 6 ounces filets); 2 tablespoons white miso paste; 2 tablespoons mirin (see notes for substitutions); 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or substitute with your favorite sweetener); 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce (For paleo, Low FODMAP or gluten-free diets, substitute with liquid aminos or coconut aminos.); 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (if you don't have any on hand, it may be omitted); 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; Toasted sesame seeds and scallions, for serving (optional)

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by Marcie // May 3, 2021

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Make your next salmon dinner extra exciting with this tender, flavorful Miso Salmon recipe! The salmon is marinated in a sweet and savory miso sauce, then broiled to juicy, caramelized perfection. It only takes a few ingredients and it cooks up in minutes!

**This recipe was originally published in May 2014. The recipe has been simplified and the photos have been updated. The text has also been modified to include more information.

I make salmon on a weekly basis. It’s something that everyone in my family agrees on, and I love it because it’s healthy, satisfying and it can handle the boldest of flavors.

My broiled salmon and lemon dijon salmon recipes are in the regular rotation, and while we love them both, it’s nice to change things up. One can never have too many salmon recipes after all!

This Miso Salmon recipe is certainly a delicious way to enjoy my favorite fish. This dish has plenty of Asian flair, which is a wonderful change of pace.

I served it with my creamy coconut rice and topped it with toasted sesame seeds and scallions for a family friendly dinner that everybody loved!

Miso marinated salmon on a platter with sesame seeds and scallions

Why you’ll love this recipe:

It’s tender, juicy and packed with sweet and savory flavor.
This easy miso marinated salmon requires about 15 minutes total of hands-on prep work, with a minimum of one hour marinating time.
Leftovers can be reheated or enjoyed cold atop salads and sandwiches.
You can round out the meal with a simple side of rice and veggies. Quick and easy!

Recipe ingredients

The miso sauce for the salmon is the star of this dish. It requires a few ingredients you may not keep on hand, so let’s talk through them quickly.

Ingredient notes

Salmon. I used a 1 1/2 lb. wild salmon filet and cut it into as evenly sized pieces as possible. Pro tip: For best results, use filets that are the same thickness to ensure that they’re done at the same time. Salmon that is 1/2″ thick will be done after about 5 minutes under the broiler, or up to 1″ thick will be done in 8-10 minutes.
White miso paste. If you’re not familiar with miso paste, it’s a soy bean paste, which you can find in the refrigerated area of the natural foods section in many supermarkets. I used a Hawaiian white miso, which is milder in flavor. Miso adds wonderful umami flavor to this dish, and it keeps in the refrigerator for up to one year because of its high salt content.
Mirin. Mirin is Japanese rice cooking wine, which can be found in the Asian section of your local supermarket. It adds acidity to the marinade, and may be substituted with rice wine vinegar, sake or even fresh orange juice in a pinch.
Soy sauce. I prefer using reduced sodium soy sauce to control the sodium. For paleo, Low FODMAP or gluten-free diets, substitute with liquid aminos or coconut aminos.
Maple syrup. The maple syrup adds a delicious flavor that compliments the miso sauce ingredients, but it may be substituted with the sweetener of your choice.
Sesame oil. This oil adds a delicious sesame flavor, and a little goes a long way. If this ingredient isn’t something that you think you’ll use much, it can certainly be omitted altogether.
Toasted sesame seeds. You can toast them yourself! Simply heat the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium low heat until golden and fragrant, 3-5 minutes.

How to make this recipe

This miso salmon recipe is as easy as whisking together a simple marinade, then allowing the salmon to soak up all its flavor before being broiled to perfection.

Pro tip: Marinate the salmon for a minimum of 1 hour at room temperature for great flavor, or up to 3 hours if you have the time.

Be sure that you line the baking sheet with foil to keep the salmon from sticking. Do not use parchment paper as it will burn under the broiler.

Whisk together the miso paste, mirin, maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil and black pepper in a small bowl.
Place the salmon in an 8×8″ glass baking dish or a zip top bag. Pour in the marinade and coat the salmon well, then cover the dish and marinate for a minimum of one hour at room temperature.
Preheat the broiler. Place the salmon on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
Broil about 6-8″ below the broiler for about 5 minutes for up to 1/2″ thick, or 8-10 minutes for up to 1″ thick, until caramelized and the fat has rendered. All ovens vary, so be sure to keep an eye on the salmon as the marinade can burn easily. If the salmon begins to burn, place on the middle rack of the oven which is further away from the broiler.

Miso salmon on a serving platter with garnishes alongside

FAQs

How long should you broil salmon?

It depends on how thick the salmon filets are. Salmon that is 1/2″ thick is typically done in 5 minutes under the broiler, while up to 1″ is done in about 8-10 minutes.

How can you tell when salmon is done cooking?

It should flake easily with a fork, and the white fat should have rendered from the filet.

How long should you marinate salmon?

This miso marinated salmon can sit in the marinade between 30 minutes to 3 hours.

What is miso sauce made of?

Miso sauce contains just a few ingredients, including white miso paste, maple syrup, mirin, soy sauce and sesame oil. Additional ingredients of freshly grated ginger and fresh orange juice may be added for even more flavor.

Does miso go bad?

Miso paste will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to one year due to its high salt content.

What is mirin?

Mirin is similar to sake, but it’s sweeter and has a lower alcohol content. It’s used to add acidity and sweetness in a variety of dishes.

What can I substitute mirin with?

Mirin adds acidity, therefore it may be substituted with seasoned rice wine vinegar, sake, dry white wine or fresh citrus juice in a pinch.

Recipe notes

Pro tip: Marinate salmon for a minimum of 1 hour for maximum flavor!
Pro tip: For best results, use filets the same thickness to ensure that they’re done at the same time. Salmon that is 1/2″ thick is typically done after 5 minutes under the broiler, while up to 1″ in thickness is done in 8-10 minutes.
Miso paste is a soy bean paste that can be found in the refrigerated area of the natural food sections at most supermarkets. White miso has the mildest flavor and it what I’ve used in this recipe.
For toasted sesame seeds, heat the sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium low heat until golden and fragrant, 3-5 minutes.

Miso marinated salmon on a platter with fork flaking fish

More easy salmon recipes:

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!