This Easy Ginger Sesame Salmon is packed with flavor, comes together so easily and is a family favorite! Don’t forget to make extra so you have some to take to work for lunch the next day!!! And the ginger sesame salmon glaze/marinade will become a favorite for sure!!
Ginger Sesame Salmon (+ Glaze)
Everyone in your family will LOVE this super easy weeknight recipe!!! We eat salmon recipes on a weekly basis in our house. Our kiddos love it and it always hits the spot! We normally make our favorite baked salmon recipe, but I was craving a more Asian-inspired salmon recipe. So, I got cooking and this recipe is the result! It has now become a blog favorite and one of the best ways to make salmon!
Looking for another flavorful salmon recipe? Try our Blackened Salmon – so good!
What You Will Need
- orange juice concentrate – a great way to bring some added sweetness without the sugar.
- balsamic vinegar, sesame oil, & fish sauce – a combination of ingredients that bring so many classic flavors!
- coconut aminos – use this to keep it Whole30 compliant or sub with soy sauce.
- lime juice – a touch of acidity to bring out all the great flavors!
- garlic & ginger – more classic flavors that pair so well with fresh salmon.
- fresh salmon fillets – we love picking up fresh salmon from our local grocery store with the skin-on, but you could also use skin-off salmon too.
- extra virgin olive oil – just a splash in the pan to help sear the salmon fillets.
- kosher salt & ground black pepper – simple seasonings that are always a must!
Should I Marinate The Salmon
The sauce recipe in the recipe card below can be used as a marinade or a glaze or both! It is so versatile and seriously PACKED with flavor! To marinate the salmon, just mix up the sauce, and let the salmon marinate for about 15-30 minutes. We highly recommend making a double batch so that you can marinate your salmon and then have plenty leftover for a glaze or drizzling on top at the end!
How To Make Ginger Sesame Salmon
To get things started, you can pat the pieces of salmon dry with clean paper towels.
Now mix together the sauce ingredients and either set aside to use as a glaze or pour over the salmon to marinate for about 15-30 minutes in a shallow baking dish.
Next, bring a large cast iron skillet to a medium-high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and place your salmon fillets in the pan with the skin-side down. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper, brush on some of the glaze, and continue cooking for about 6-8 minutes. Carefully flip the salmon with a spatula and brush on some more glaze to keep the pan from drying out. Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F (use a meat thermometer).
Best Ways to Serve Ginger Sesame Salmon
We love serving this easy salmon recipe with your choice of rice or cauliflower rice and some braised bok choy. If you are looking to keep this recipe Whole30 compliant we recommend cauliflower rice or cilantro lime cauliflower rice. And if that isn’t of concern to you, then you could serve with some Instant Pot jasmine rice! We also love this with some roasted broccolini!
Love Sesame Ginger flavors – try our Sesame Ginger Salad Dressing!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Salmon Recipes You Might Like
Easy Ginger Sesame Salmon (Asian-Inspired)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Easy Ginger Sesame Salmon – A super easy asian-inspired salmon recipe that is packed with flavor!
Ingredients
Glaze/Marinade:
- 1 1/2 teaspoon orange juice concentrate
- 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos (option to sub soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger, grated (or ginger paste)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
- pinch of kosher salt
Salmon:
- (4) 4-6oz salmon fillets (skin on)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make glaze/marinade: Combine ingredients in small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring pan to a medium high heat and let simmer, reducing heat as needed. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Pour over salmon in a shallow baking dish to marinate 15-30 minutes or set aside, if using as a glaze.
- Sear salmon: Pat salmon dry with paper towel. In a large cast iron skillet, drizzle some olive oil around the pan and then sprinkle some salt and pepper (helps keep the skin from sticking) in an even layer. Place salmon fillets, skin side down, in the skillet. Sprinkle the top of the salmon with additional salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes.
- Baste: While the salmon cooks, use a basting brush to apply a layer of glaze (I suggest pouring about a tablespoon or two in a little bowl to keep it separate).
- Flip: Use a fish spatula to carefully flip the salmon.
- Continue cooking: cook without moving the fillets until the center reaches 125 degrees F internal temp, about 6-8 minutes. Option to continue basting as needed.
- Serve: we love serving with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice and Braised Baby Bok Choy, plus an added drizzle of the glaze on top!
Notes
- Whole30/Paleo: make sure you use orange juice concentrate and coconut aminos!
- Glaze/Marinade: The Glaze can also be used as a marinade. If you are marinating your salmon, place salmon in glass container or reusable bag with as much marinade that will allow salmon to be covered. Let sit for 15-30 minutes. Then cook salmon as desired and discard the marinade.
- Oven Method: You can also cook the salmon in the oven: place salmon skin down on a piece of parchment or foil; sprinkle each piece with a little salt and pepper; spoon a little glaze over each piece and then wrap in the foil or parchment; place on baking sheet and bake at 415 for approx. 20 minutes.; once salmon is fully cooked place each piece on plates and spoon additional glaze on top before serving.
- Storage: place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Nutrition info: this was only calculated for the salmon, not the serving suggestion of cauliflower rice and bok choy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 224
- Sugar: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 1628.4 mg
- Fat: 9.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Protein: 22.3 g
- Cholesterol: 50.5 mg
Renée Prevette says
This is so amazing!! Made this for dinner and everyone loved it❤️❤️❤️ It was just as great next day on a salad!!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Renée! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review – I appreciate it!
Tracey Harris says
This Salmon had an excellent flavor – super easy to make and yummy!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Tracey! Thank you so much for the feedback – I appreciate it!
Andrea says
Love how easy and delicious this is!
Erin says
So glad you enjoyed it, Andrea!! and thank you so much for leaving your review + feedback -I really appreciate it!
Sam says
This recipe is amazing. My kids are only OK with fish, but they absolutely love this and ask for seconds. It’s easy, very little clean up, and simple ingredients. Great recipe!
Erin says
Hi Sam! I am so glad you guys enjoyed it! My kiddos love this recipe too 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave feedback! I really appreciate it!