Name: Teriyaki Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 tablespoons peeled and minced fresh ginger; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; ⅔ cup less-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons water; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 3 tablespoons mirin ((optional; you can also use 1 ½ teaspoons rice vinegar)); 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets; Toasted sesame seeds ((optional))

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Teriyaki sauce pairs perfectly with the rich flavor and silky texture of fresh salmon, which is the most loved fish in our house (and we’re not alone!). The broiler creates a beautiful glaze on the fish and caramelizes the exterior, protecting the moist, flaky, tender interior of the fish. And you can make your own teriyaki sauce in just 10 minutes with some simple Asian pantry ingredients!

Try pairing this with Japanese Miso Eggplant, Yaki Udon, or Simple Stir-Fried Broccoli.

Teriyaki salmon on green plate with greens and rice.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

This teriyaki sauce comes together in minutes. The ingredients you need (and, in my opinion, should always have on hand!) are:

Garlic – For a little sharp, spicy bite.
Ginger – Also adds heat and that fresh gingery zing.
Vegetable oil – Fat adds flavor, and the oil helps emulsify the sauce.
Soy sauce – Adds the salty taste that is at the core of teriyaki sauce. I like to use less-sodium soy sauce in my teriyaki sauce to cut down the salt a bit.

Salmon filets with teriyaki sauce in red roasting pan.

Brown sugar – For a caramelly sweetness
Cornstarch – To thicken the glaze
Mirin – A low alcohol and slightly sweet rice wine used in Japanese cooking. It can be purchased at supermarkets with a good Asian ingredient inventory, Asian specialty stores, or you can buy mirin online. Sub in sake or half the amount of rice vinegar if you can’t find mirin.

Teriyaki-marinated salmon filet on green plate with sauteed greens and rice.

Teriyaki Salmon: Rich, flaky salmon is a perfect base for that much-loved slightly sweet and salty Japanese glaze.
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How Long to Marinate Salmon?

If you even have 20 minutes for the fish to marinate, that will allow it to absorb great flavor for the marinade. Optimally you will marinate the salmon in the teriyaki sauce for 1 to 2 hours. Don’t marinate the fish for more than 12 hours, or the marinade will start to break down the protein in the fish, and it might make the salmon’s texture mushy.

How to Make Salmon Teriyaki

Make the marinade: Stir together the garlic, ginger, vegetable oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and mirin, if using, in a small bowl.
Marinate the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a bakng sheet, and pour the marinade over the salmon, making sure it coats the fish evenly. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.

Woman pouring teriyaki sauce over salmon filets in red baking pan.

Cook the salmon: Broil the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes until cooked through to your liking.
Serve: Sprinkle over the sesame seeds if using.

Broiled salmon filets with teriyaki sauce in red baking pan.

What Goes Well With Teriyaki Salmon?

Rice, of course! White rice, brown rice, maybe even cilantro lime rice. I also paired it with sautéed Swiss chard for a great pop of color, texture, and nutrition.

You can also try Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw, Chili Crunch Brussels Sprouts, Japanese Cucumber Salad, and Soy Glazed Sugar Snap Peas.