Irresistible Pan-Seared Teriyaki Salmon: Your New Go-To Recipe for a Flavorful Meal

Prepare for an explosion of flavor with this incredible pan-seared teriyaki salmon recipe! Perfectly tender and exquisitely flaky, each bite of salmon is coated in a rich, homemade teriyaki marinade that transforms into a glossy, sticky glaze right on your stovetop. This dish is not just a meal; it’s an experience, bringing the vibrant tastes of Asian-inspired cuisine directly to your dinner table with surprising ease. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this recipe promises a restaurant-quality result that will impress your family and friends. It’s an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough for a special occasion.

Why This Homemade Teriyaki Salmon Recipe Will Be Your Favorite

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In our humble opinion, teriyaki sauce is an absolute game-changer when paired with salmon. This recipe masterfully combines a complex marinade, brimming with mildly sweet, savory, and umami notes, that harmonizes beautifully with the naturally buttery and delicate texture of fresh salmon filets. The result is a dish so utterly delicious, you’ll find yourself craving it again and again. While this stovetop teriyaki salmon requires a two-hour marinating period to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the fish, the minimal hands-on cooking time and the spectacular outcome make it more than worth the wait. It’s a simple step that yields profound flavor differences, transforming ordinary salmon into an extraordinary culinary delight.

If you’re already a fan of the irresistible teriyaki flavor profile, you’ll be thrilled to explore our other beloved recipes like teriyaki chicken or the comforting teriyaki chicken and rice. For this luscious teriyaki salmon, we highly recommend serving it over a generous bed of fluffy rice. The rice acts as a perfect sponge, soaking up every last drop of the exquisite homemade teriyaki sauce. And don’t worry, we won’t judge if you find yourself licking the plate clean – it’s that good!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Teriyaki Salmon

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Gathering your ingredients is the first step towards creating this culinary masterpiece. Below, you’ll find an overview of the key components. For precise measurements, a detailed list, and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive printable recipe card located at the end of this post. Having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you begin will ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience.

Detailed Ingredient Information and Smart Substitution Suggestions

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Understanding each ingredient’s role and knowing your substitution options can elevate your cooking. Here’s a closer look at what goes into our delicious teriyaki salmon:

SALMON: For this recipe, we utilized 2 pounds of high-quality center-cut salmon, expertly divided into four individual filets. Center-cut salmon is often preferred for its uniform thickness, which promotes even cooking and results in beautifully tender and flaky fish. When selecting salmon, look for vibrant color, a fresh ocean scent, and firm flesh. You can opt for skin-on or skin-off filets; the skin, when cooked crisp, adds a delightful texture and can help protect the fish from overcooking. Keep in mind that the cooking duration might need slight adjustments based on the exact thickness of your chosen salmon filets. Wild-caught varieties like Sockeye or Coho offer a bolder flavor, while farmed Atlantic salmon tends to be richer and milder. Both work wonderfully in this recipe, offering a healthy dose of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

HOMEMADE TERIYAKI MARINADE: The heart of this recipe lies in its flavor-packed teriyaki marinade, which is crafted from a harmonious blend of ingredients:

• Soy Sauce: The foundation of our marinade, providing the essential savory and umami base. We recommend using low-sodium soy sauce to better control the saltiness of the dish. For a gluten-free alternative, Tamari is an excellent substitute that maintains a similar flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: A small but mighty ingredient, sesame oil adds a distinct nutty aroma and deep, toasted flavor that is characteristic of authentic Asian cuisine. Use toasted sesame oil for the best results.
• Hoisin Sauce: This thick, fragrant sauce contributes a wonderful sweet and tangy depth, along with a beautiful dark color. It’s often referred to as “Chinese BBQ sauce” and is a staple in many Asian dishes.
• Honey: Honey provides natural sweetness, balancing the savory notes of the soy sauce and hoisin, and helps to create that desired sticky glaze. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as alternatives if you prefer.
• Rice Vinegar: Offering a mild, slightly sweet acidity, rice vinegar brightens the overall flavor of the marinade. Apple cider vinegar can be a suitable substitute if rice vinegar is unavailable, though it will impart a slightly different tang.
• Ginger: Freshly grated ginger infuses the marinade with a pungent, warm, and spicy zing. If fresh ginger isn’t available, a smaller amount of ground ginger (about 1/4 teaspoon per 1/2 tablespoon of fresh) can be used, though fresh is always preferred for its vibrant flavor.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds a robust, aromatic kick. Like ginger, fresh garlic offers the best flavor, but pre-minced garlic or garlic powder (about 1/2 teaspoon per tablespoon of fresh) can be used in a pinch.
• Brown Sugar: This ingredient is key for achieving a caramelized depth and further enhancing the sticky texture of the glaze. Its molasses content adds richness. If you don’t have brown sugar, granulated white sugar can be used, but it might slightly alter the complexity of the sweetness.
• Olive Oil: Used in the marinade to help emulsify the ingredients and coat the salmon, ensuring even flavor distribution and preventing sticking during cooking. Any neutral cooking oil like vegetable or canola oil can also be used.
• Garlic Salt: This blend of salt and garlic powder provides a convenient way to season and add extra garlic flavor simultaneously. If you only have regular salt and garlic powder, adjust quantities accordingly (e.g., 1.5 teaspoons salt + 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder per 2 teaspoons garlic salt).

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Own Pan-Seared Teriyaki Salmon

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These detailed step-by-step photos and instructions are designed to visually guide you through the process of making this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.

1. **Prepare the Marinade:** In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, and garlic salt. Whisk vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved. This creates a beautifully balanced, aromatic mixture. Carefully pour this flavorful marinade into a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Gently place the salmon filets into the bag, ensuring they are fully submerged and coated by the marinade. Seal the bag, pressing out as much air as possible, and lay it flat. Allow the salmon to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours. You can choose to marinate it at room temperature for a shorter, more intense flavor infusion (ensure it’s not longer than 30 minutes for food safety), or in the refrigerator for the full 2 hours, which is ideal for deeper flavor penetration and tenderness. Marinating is crucial for the salmon to absorb all those wonderful teriyaki flavors.
   
   
2. **Sear the Salmon:** Once marinating is complete, preheat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron or stainless steel works best) over medium heat. A well-heated pan is essential for a beautiful sear. Carefully remove the salmon filets from the zip-top bag, allowing any excess marinade to drip off slightly. Place the filets into the hot skillet, skin-side up. It’s important NOT to discard the remaining marinade, as it will be used to create our delicious glaze!

   EXPERT TIP: The teriyaki marinade, due to its sugar and honey content, can be quite sticky. To prevent the fish filets from adhering to the bottom of the pan and ensure an even sear, gently shift them around with a spatula after about a minute or two of cooking. This small adjustment can make a big difference in preventing sticking and achieving that perfect golden-brown crust. Ensure the pan is adequately oiled before placing the fish.

   

3. **Thicken the Glaze:** While your salmon is beautifully searing, transfer the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and place it over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch to create a smooth slurry – this is your thickening agent. Once the marinade in the saucepan begins to gently simmer, gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the marinade thickens into a glossy, sticky glaze consistency. The cornstarch will cause it to thicken rapidly, so keep an eye on it. Once thickened to your liking, remove the saucepan from the heat.
4. **Glaze and Finish Cooking:** Allow the salmon filets to cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes on the first side, until a beautiful crust forms and the fish begins to turn opaque about halfway up the sides. Then, carefully flip each filet over. Immediately drizzle approximately 1 cup of the freshly thickened teriyaki glaze generously over the cooked side of the salmon filets in the skillet. This will ensure every inch is coated in that irresistible sticky sweetness.
   
   
5. **Simmer and Rest:** Increase the heat under the skillet to medium-high, bringing the glazed sauce to a gentle boil. Once boiling, immediately cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the salmon to simmer, covered, for 1-2 minutes. This brief period of steaming helps to finish cooking the salmon through while infusing it with the glaze. After 1-2 minutes, turn off the heat but leave the pan covered. Let the salmon rest in the covered pan for an additional 3-4 minutes. This resting time is crucial; it allows the residual heat to gently finish cooking the fish to perfection, ensuring it’s incredibly moist and flaky without drying out. The flavors will also meld beautifully.
   

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Teriyaki Salmon Success

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Delicious Serving Suggestions for Your Teriyaki Salmon

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This versatile teriyaki salmon pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, allowing you to create a complete and satisfying meal. For a classic pairing, serve it alongside a generous portion of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even aromatic jasmine or basmati rice, which will beautifully absorb the extra teriyaki glaze. Complement the richness of the salmon with a side of vibrant, crisp-tender steamed or roasted vegetables. Excellent choices include green beans, broccoli florets, asparagus spears, or colorful carrots. To elevate the presentation and add an extra layer of flavor and texture, optionally garnish your finished dish with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. For a lighter meal, consider a fresh, crisp salad with a light vinaigrette.

Explore More Delicious Salmon Recipes

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If you’ve fallen in love with cooking salmon, we have a treasure trove of other fantastic recipes for you to explore. From quick weeknight meals to impressive dishes for entertaining, there’s a salmon recipe for every occasion:

• Homemade Salmon Sauce
• Easy Baked Salmon
• Spicy Blackened Salmon
• Sweet & Savory Maple Soy Salmon
• Bright Dijon Lemon Caper Salmon

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