Easy Pan-Seared Teriyaki Salmon: Flaky, Flavorful & Simple Recipe

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly delicious and easy-to-make pan-seared teriyaki salmon recipe. This dish begins with a vibrant, flavor-packed homemade teriyaki marinade that not only infuses the salmon with its signature sweet and savory notes but also transforms into a glossy, sticky glaze right on top of your perfectly seared fillets. The result is a tender, flaky salmon that melts in your mouth, enveloped in an irresistible sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why This Teriyaki Salmon Recipe is a Must-Try

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Teriyaki sauce and salmon are a match made in culinary heaven. The unique blend of sweet, savory, and umami flavors in a well-crafted teriyaki sauce beautifully complements the rich, buttery taste and delicate texture of salmon. This recipe, specifically, stands out for several reasons:

• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: Our homemade teriyaki marinade is the secret weapon here. It delivers a depth of flavor far superior to most store-bought sauces, creating a symphony of tastes that will keep you coming back for more. The marinade’s balanced sweetness and savory kick are simply irresistible.
• Perfectly Cooked Salmon: Pan-searing is an excellent method for cooking salmon, as it creates a wonderfully crispy skin while keeping the flesh incredibly tender and flaky. The high heat ensures a beautiful crust, locking in moisture and flavor.
• Dual-Purpose Marinade: One of the smartest aspects of this recipe is how the marinade doubles as a sticky, luscious glaze. After infusing the salmon with flavor, it’s reduced and thickened, becoming a glistening, irresistible coating for your fillets. Just ensure it’s properly cooked down for safety and texture.
• Impressive Yet Simple: While the marinating time does require a couple of hours to fully infuse the salmon, the active cooking time on the stovetop is surprisingly quick – making this an ideal dish for entertaining guests or a special weeknight meal without much fuss.
• Healthy and Nutritious: Salmon is renowned for its high content of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart and brain health. It’s also an excellent source of lean protein, making this teriyaki salmon a wholesome choice for any diet.

If you’re a fan of the classic teriyaki flavor, you’ll also adore our teriyaki chicken or teriyaki chicken and rice recipes. Serve this exquisite salmon alongside a bed of fluffy rice to soak up every last drop of the homemade teriyaki sauce – or, as we always say, feel free to lick the plate clean. We certainly won’t judge!

Key Ingredients for this Teriyaki Salmon Recipe

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Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating this delectable dish. Below is a comprehensive list, with detailed information and substitution suggestions to ensure your teriyaki salmon is perfect every time. You’ll find all precise measurements, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

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For the Salmon:

SALMON FILLETS – We recommend using 2 pounds of center-cut salmon, ideally with the skin on, cut into 4 equal fillets. Center-cut fillets are typically thicker and cook more evenly. While skin-on salmon provides a delicious crispy texture, you can use skin-off fillets if preferred; simply adjust cooking times slightly as they might cook faster. Keep in mind that the bake or sear time may vary depending on the thickness of your individual fillets.

• Choosing Salmon: Opt for fresh, vibrant-looking salmon with firm flesh. Wild-caught salmon (like Sockeye or Coho) often has a richer flavor and firmer texture, while farm-raised Atlantic salmon tends to be fattier and more buttery. Both work wonderfully in this recipe.
• Preparation: Patting the salmon fillets dry with paper towels before marinating helps the flavors adhere better and ensures a crispier skin when searing.

For the Homemade Teriyaki Marinade & Glaze:

This marinade is where all the magic happens! It’s a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami, transforming into a beautiful, thick glaze.

• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: The foundation of our teriyaki. Using low sodium allows you to control the saltiness, as many other ingredients also contribute to sodium levels. If you only have regular soy sauce, you might want to slightly reduce the amount of garlic salt.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a distinctive nutty aroma and flavor that is essential to authentic Asian cuisine. We recommend toasted sesame oil for a deeper flavor.
• Hoisin Sauce: A thick, sweet, and tangy Chinese BBQ sauce that provides rich umami depth and a beautiful dark color to the glaze. It truly makes the sauce more complex.
• Honey: Contributes natural sweetness and helps create that desirable sticky texture for the glaze.
• Rice Vinegar: A mild, slightly sweet vinegar that balances the richness of the other ingredients and adds a bright tang. Do not substitute with white vinegar, as its acidity is too strong.
• Chopped Fresh Ginger: Offers a warm, spicy, and aromatic kick. Fresh ginger is highly recommended for the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use about 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
• Minced Fresh Garlic: Another aromatic powerhouse. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, savory base. Granulated garlic (about 1/2 teaspoon) can be used as a last resort, but fresh is always superior.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a molasses-rich sweetness and aids in caramelization, deepening the glaze’s flavor and color. You can substitute with granulated white sugar if necessary, but brown sugar gives a richer profile. Maple syrup can also be used for a slightly different sweet note.
• Olive Oil: Used in the marinade to help emulsify ingredients and carry flavors, as well as in the pan for searing the salmon.
• Garlic Salt: Enhances the garlic flavor while also providing additional seasoning. If you’re sensitive to salt, you can use garlic powder and a pinch of salt separately, adjusting to taste.

For Thickening the Glaze:

• Cornstarch: This is crucial for creating a thick, glossy glaze from the marinade. It’s mixed with water to form a “slurry” before being added to prevent lumps.
• Water: Used to create the cornstarch slurry.

How to Make Pan-Seared Teriyaki Salmon: Step-by-Step Guide

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These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Prepare the Marinade and Marinate Salmon: In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together all the marinade ingredients: low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin, honey, rice vinegar, chopped ginger, minced garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, and garlic salt until well combined. Pour this flavorful mixture into a gallon-sized zip-top bag. Carefully add the salmon fillets to the bag, ensuring each piece is fully coated with 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 for optimal flavor penetration. You can do this at room temperature if you plan to cook within the 2-hour window, or in the refrigerator for longer marinating (up to 4 hours).
   
   
2. Pan-Sear the Salmon: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, carefully remove the salmon fillets from the zip-top bag, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Place the fillets in the hot skillet, skin side up. Do NOT discard the remaining marinade in the bag – it will be used for your glorious glaze! Cook for 4-5 minutes on this side, until the salmon has a nice sear and begins to turn opaque around the edges.

   EXPERT TIP – Teriyaki marinade can be quite sticky due to the sugar and honey content. To prevent the fish from sticking to the pan, you may want to add a tiny bit of extra oil to the pan or gently shift the fish fillets every minute or so during the initial searing. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet or a good quality non-stick pan works best.

   

3. Prepare the Sticky Teriyaki Glaze: While the salmon is searing, pour the reserved marinade from the bag into a small saucepan. Place it over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch to create a smooth slurry. Once the marinade in the saucepan begins to simmer, gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency. This should only take a few minutes. Once thickened, immediately turn off the heat.
4. Glaze the Salmon: After the initial 4-5 minutes of searing, carefully turn the salmon fillets over in the skillet. They should have a beautiful golden-brown crust. Now, generously drizzle about 1 cup of your freshly thickened teriyaki glaze over the top of the fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated. Increase the heat slightly to medium-high and bring the sauce in the pan to a gentle boil. This step helps the glaze adhere and caramelize onto the salmon.
   
   
5. Finish and Rest: Once the glaze is boiling, cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow the salmon to simmer for 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat completely. Keep the pan covered and let the salmon rest for an additional 3-4 minutes. This resting period allows the fish to finish cooking gently in its own residual heat, ensuring it remains incredibly moist and tender.
   

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success

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Delicious Serving Suggestions for 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. Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

• Rice: The classic pairing! Serve your salmon over a bed of fluffy white rice (Jasmine or Basmati are great), brown rice for added fiber, or even a flavorful sushi rice. The rice will beautifully absorb any extra teriyaki glaze, making every bite flavorful.
• Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Complement the rich salmon with fresh, vibrant greens. Excellent choices include steamed broccolini, roasted asparagus, tender green beans, or sweet carrots. A simple stir-fry of mixed vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, bok choy) would also be fantastic.
• Quinoa or Noodles: For a different grain option, consider quinoa for an extra protein boost or a side of udon or soba noodles lightly tossed with a touch of sesame oil.
• Fresh Salad: A crisp, refreshing side salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the salmon and add a pleasant textural contrast.
• Garnishes: Elevate the presentation and add extra layers of flavor with simple garnishes. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds nuttiness and crunch, while thinly sliced green onions (scallions) provide a fresh, mild oniony bite. A dash of red chili flakes can introduce a subtle heat if you enjoy a little spice.

More Irresistible Salmon Recipes to Try

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If you’ve fallen in love with cooking salmon, here are some other fantastic recipes from our collection that you’re sure to enjoy:

• Homemade Salmon Sauce: The perfect accompaniment to any salmon dish.
• Easy Baked Salmon: A simple, hands-off method for perfectly cooked salmon.
• Spicy Blackened Salmon: For those who love a bold, Cajun-inspired flavor.
• Sweet & Savory Maple Soy Salmon: Another delightful glaze option.
• Bright Dijon Lemon Caper Salmon: A tangy and herbaceous alternative.

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