This Teriyaki Salmon recipe is quick and easy to make any night of the week. It’s a hearty and light meal. The traditional way to cook salmon fillets is on a pan until they are perfectly tender. They are then finished with a real homemade teriyaki sauce.
As a child in Japan, I liked eating different kinds of fish. Salmon was one of the most common types in our home. Its a great source of protein and healthy Omega-3 fatty acids in our diet. Today I’m going to give you a real Japanese Teriyaki Salmon recipe and show you how they make it at home.
The salmon fillets are pan-grilled to achieve a golden-brown exterior while retaining their tender and juicy texture. We then finish it off with a sweet-savory glazed homemade Teriyaki Sauce. It’s easy and absolutely no fuss.
Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that is a kitchen staple in Japan. Its rich fatty texture pairs nicely with a variety of flavors and ingredients. If you’re cooking up some fresh salmon fillets for dinner soon you may be wondering – what should I serve with salmon?
Having a delicious and well-balanced side dish can take your salmon dinner from basic to gourmet. The good news is there are tons of options, whether you’re looking for a starch, veggie, salad or more. Here are 17 delicious side dish ideas to serve with salmon for a Japanese-inspired meal.
Health Benefits of Salmon
Before jumping into the sides, let’s look at why salmon makes such a great dinner choice in the first place. Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat. Some key nutrients and benefits salmon provides includes
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High in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Omega-3s support heart health, brain function, eye health and more.
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Excellent source of protein to support muscle growth and maintenance.
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Rich in B vitamins like niacin, B6 and B12. These support energy levels and metabolism.
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High in potassium, an important electrolyte. Potassium helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
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Loaded with selenium, an antioxidant that protects cells from damage and infection.
With all of these health benefits, it’s clear that salmon is a good food to eat. Now let’s look at all the tasty ways to serve it!.
17 Delicious Side Dishes for Salmon
1. White Rice
In Japanese food, white rice is a classic, simple side dish that goes well with salmon. Steamed white rice is a great way to soak up any sauces or marinades that come with your fish. Japanese rice types with short or medium grains, such as Koshihikari and Calrose, are popular choices.
To make, simply combine rice and water in a rice cooker or pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender. Fluff with a fork before serving. Enjoy it plain or seasoned with a bit of rice vinegar for flavor.
2. Brown Rice
For a fiber-rich alternative, swap out white rice for nutty, chewy brown rice. Brown rice takes a bit longer to cook than white rice, but the extra fiber and nutrients are worth it.
To prepare, combine brown rice and water in a rice cooker or pot. For 1 cup rice use 1 3/4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes until rice is tender.
3. Quinoa
Quinoa is a gluten-free ancient grain that makes a nutritious side. It has a pleasant crunch and can be seasoned simply with olive oil and salt. Or get creative and throw in veggies, herbs or nuts for extra flavor.
To make, combine 1 cup quinoa with 2 cups water or broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until fluffy. Fluff with a fork before serving.
4. Soboro Rice
For a Japanese comfort food side, soboro rice can’t be beat. It’s ground meat seasoned with sake, mirin, soy and ginger then mixed into fluffy rice. Chicken, beef, pork or turkey all work well.
Cook soboro meat first by sautéing minced meat with seasonings. Next, cook rice as usual. Finally, mix soboro into cooked rice and enjoy this flavorful dish!
5. Namul (Korean Veggie Side)
Namul refers to seasoned Korean-style vegetable dishes. Some top choices like soy-glazed spinach, sesame cucumbers and spicy cabbage kimchi pair wonderfully with salmon.
To make, blanch or steam vegetables briefly until crisp-tender. Toss while hot with seasoning mixtures like sesame oil, gochujang, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar and more depending on the recipe.
6. Miso Soup
A warm bowl of miso soup is a comforting companion to salmon. The savory broth is simple yet satisfying.
To make miso soup, bring dashi stock to a simmer. Remove from heat and whisk in miso paste until blended. Add ingredients like tofu, scallions, wakame and mushrooms. Serve piping hot.
7. Edamame
Buttery boiled edamame soybeans make a nutritious and appetizing side dish. They’re high in plant-based protein and fiber.
Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add frozen edamame and boil 5-6 minutes until warmed through. Drain and sprinkle with salt before serving.
8. Sunomono (Cucumber Salad)
A light vinegar-dressed cucumber salad known as sunomono is a refreshing balance to rich salmon. Thinly sliced cucumbers are soaked in a sweet vinegar dressing made with rice vinegar, sugar, salt and sometimes dashi or mirin.
Let cucumber slices soak in the sunomono sauce for at least 15 minutes before serving to infuse them with flavor. Other vegetables like wakame seaweed or tomatoes can also be added.
9. Sauteed Bitter Greens
Bitter leafy greens like broccoli rabe, dandelion greens or mustard greens make a healthy side dish when sautéed with garlic and olive oil. They have an assertive flavor that stands up well to salmon.
Chop greens and garlic. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic briefly until fragrant. Add greens and sauté until wilted and tender. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes or other vegetables caramelizes their natural sugars and gives an irresistible flavor.
Toss chopped veggies in olive oil, salt, pepper and spices like cumin or paprika. Roast at 400°F 30-40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until browned and tender.
11. Veggie Fried Rice
For an easy one-pan meal, make salmon with fried rice piled with vegetables like carrot, peas, bean sprouts, onions and more. Drizzle with soy sauce or tamari for flavor.
Simply sauté veggies in oil, then add day-old cooked rice to the pan and sauté until warmed through. Mix in sesame oil and soy sauce, then serve alongside your salmon.
12. Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, onions and feta cheese makes a refreshing, Mediterranean-inspired pairing. Toss all the veggies and cheese with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper.
The bright, tangy flavors complement rich salmon beautifully. This salad holds up well when dressing is served on the side too.
13. Potato Salad
Creamy potato salads are a beloved side dish around the world. There are endless ways to make them, but a Japanese potato salad has a vinegar-based dressing infused with umami flavor from ingredients like soy sauce, dashi and mirin.
Boil russet or Yukon gold potatoes until tender, then dress while warm with the flavorful sauce so they absorb maximum flavor. Toss in veggies like carrot or cucumber for crunch.
14. Lentils
Beluga, French green or other lentil varieties make hearty plant-based sides for salmon. Lentils are packed with protein, fiber and nutrients.
Simmer dried lentils in broth or water until tender, then season to taste. Sauté with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, spinach and feta for a Mediterranean lentil salad.
15. Farro Salad
Nutty farro grains have a satisfying chewy texture and pair nicely with cucumber, tomato, herbs and a lemon vinaigrette in this fresh farro salad.
Cook farro according to package directions, then toss with diced vegetables, fresh herbs like parsley or mint, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper. Chill before serving.
16. Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Seared garlic butter mushrooms are a savory, simple side dish that’s ready in 15 minutes. Fresh mushrooms like cremini or shiitake are browned in butter and garlic until caramelized and irresistible.
Simply melt butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Add mushroom slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender.
17. Steamed Broccoli
When in doubt, keep it simple with steamed broccoli. The green veggie is nutritious and pairs well with nearly any protein. Steam until crisp-tender and bright green, then toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice.
Steaming retains more nutrients than boiling, so use a steamer basket if possible. Broccoli takes just 5 minutes to steam.
Mix and Match for a Balanced Japanese Meal
Salmon is so versatile, you really can’t go wrong pairing it with any of these healthy sides. For a traditional Japanese meal, mix and match 1 dish each of rice, protein and veggies. Some delicious combos include:
- Teriyaki Glazed Salmon + Steamed Rice + Stir Fry Veggies
- Miso Salmon + Miso Soup +
How to Cut the Salmon into Japanese-Style Fillets
In Japan, the salmon fillet is sliced differently than in the US. You will find the fillet available in diagonal cuts and thinner slices. Each cut is about ½ to ¾ inch (1. 3-2 cm) thick.
If you buy salmon as a whole fish, you can fillet it the Japanese way. It will cook faster and absorb flavors quickly. Check out my tutorial here.
What Makes Authentic Teriyaki Salmon
I saw that most of the online teriyaki salmon recipes are very different from how Japanese people make it at home. Here are the main differences:
- Make your own teriyaki sauce. Not as often can you find “teriyaki sauce” in a bottle in Japan as you can in American grocery stores. Instead, we typically prepare teriyaki sauce from scratch. Each family makes the sauce the way they like it and with the things they have on hand. More on authentic teriyaki sauce below.
- Cut the salmon into Japanese-style fillets. The fillets are thinly sliced, about 1 inch (2. 5 cm) thick, and cut diagonally (see the next section). There is less fat, so they cook faster in a frying pan.
- We do not marinate the salmon. Japanese food tries to bring out the natural flavor of an ingredient without adding too many spices or seasonings.
- Pan-fry the salmon. Cooking in an oven is not very common in Japan. Most of the food is cooked on the stove because, unless you’re a baker, the average Japanese kitchen only has a microwave oven on the counter.
3 Japanese Easy Salmon Recipes
What to eat with salmon?
The crunchy and refreshing texture of okra balance the creamy and buttery salmon for a unique pair. Feel free to prepare it ahead of time, so you can serve it instantly with your salmon. 9. Soba Noodle Salad This Soba Noodle Salad tossed in a honey-soy dressing is exactly what you need to make on repeat, along with salmon.
Is eating salmon beneficial?
Salmon is beneficial for health and is part of a healthy and balanced diet. Salmon has vitamin D, healthy fats, calcium, selenium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein.
Can you eat salted salmon in Japan?
Aside from traditional Japanese breakfast, you may find salted salmon in a bento lunch box or as a filling for Japanese Rice Balls (Onigiri). Salted salmon is so versatile that I also use it in my Salmon Fried Rice, Ochazuke (a simple rice dish in green tea), and Okayu (Rice Porridge) .
How to cook Japanese salted salmon?
Put salted salmon in a mixture of 2 parts sake and 1 part mirin and keep in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Pat dry and ready to cook. Japanese salted salmon is such a delightful dish to enjoy, especially for traditional Japanese breakfast. Make sure you have good-quality Japanese short-grain rice and miso soup to go with this dish. I’ve also served: