Easy Baked Teriyaki Salmon Recipe for Healthy Weeknight Dinners

Baked Teriyaki Salmon on serving dish

Baked Teriyaki Salmon has a delicious mix of sweet, salty, and acidic flavors that makes it a great dinner that is good for you and filling. The salmon fillets are soft and flaky, and the homemade teriyaki sauce makes them taste great. Every bite has the perfect combination of flavors that will make you want more. This meal is sure to wow, whether you’re making supper on a weeknight or hosting a special event. It’s a tasty and healthy way to eat fish.

I adore how simple and tasty this recipe is. The teriyaki glaze caramelizes while the salmon bakes, giving the fish a shiny look and adding sweet and salty flavor. I recall making this for the first time for a family get-together, and it was such a hit that I now use it for all kinds of events, big and little.

The glazing can be changed in so many ways, which makes it even better. You can change the flavor of the sauce by adding more ginger or garlic, or you can make it sweeter by adding honey or maple syrup. This dish is quite flexible and goes well with steamed rice or roasted vegetables. I can nearly promise that you’ll love Baked Teriyaki Salmon as much as I do. It’s that amazing!

Just Right For

This meal is great for hectic weeknights, making ahead of time, or a healthy dinner that’s easy to cook and full of flavor. It’s great for people who adore salmon or want to add some healthy seafood to their diets.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Glaze that is both sweet and savory

The teriyaki sauce you make at yourself has the perfect mix of sweet and savory tastes that give the salmon depth and umami. The sauce coats the fish just right, making the outside caramelized while letting the salmon’s natural richness shine through. It adds a pleasing and tasty touch to the flavor profile with its sweet tones from honey or brown sugar and savory bite from soy sauce.

A Good Choice for Your Health

If you want to eat healthy without giving up taste, this recipe is a perfect choice. Salmon has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your heart and brain, lower inflammation, and improve your general health. The glaze has very little sugar and salt in it, so the dish is full of nutrients and good for your heart. This makes it a great choice for anyone who want to be more careful about what they eat.

Simple to Make

This baked salmon dish is for you if you don’t have much time but yet want to eat a tasty, homemade supper. It doesn’t take long to make and just takes 20 minutes to bake. You don’t have to worry about intricate methods or ingredients because it’s so easy to brush on the teriyaki glaze and put the salmon in the oven. The salmon is flaky and delicate, and it tastes great.

Tasty

As the salmon bakes, the teriyaki sauce soaks into it properly, making it taste great. Every bite is full of a tasty mix of umami, sweetness, and a savory finish, making each forkful a pleasure to eat. It’s a dish that tastes great all around, making the perfect choice for a tasty meal that doesn’t take much time to make.

How long it takes to get ready and cook

  • Time to get ready: 10 minutes
  • Time to Cook: 15 minutes
  • Time: 25 minutes

There are about 300 calories in each serving, and there are four servings.

Important Nutrients in Each Serving:

  • 22g of protein
  • Carbs: 15g
  • 15g of fat
  • No fiber
  • 25% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin D

Special Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Small saucepan
  • Basting brush or spoon

Things you need

Ingredients for baked teriyaki salmon

Teriyaki Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup of soy sauce (or coconut aminos if you want a gluten-free option)
  • 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, to make it thicker)
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Salmon:

  • 4 salmon fillets (approximately 6 oz each)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 tbsp of sliced green onions (optional)

Highlights of the Ingredients

  • Salmon is a tasty and healthy choice because it is high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D.
  • This homemade teriyaki sauce is created with soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. It has a good mix of sweet and savory flavors.
  • Sesame seeds: These give the salmon a crisp texture and a nutty taste.

How to Do It Step by Step

1. Preparing the Teriyaki Sauce:

Put soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, garlic, black pepper, and cornstarch (if using) in a small pot. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every so often, until the sauce thickens a little. If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer for a couple more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

2. Preparing the Salmon:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it with cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle them with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Brush the salmon thoroughly with the cooled teriyaki sauce, ensuring the fillets are uniformly coated.

Salmon fillets coated with teriyaki sauce on baking sheet

3. Baking the Salmon:

Bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and readily flakes with a fork. The interior temperature should reach 145°F (63°C). Halfway through baking, you can spray the salmon with more teriyaki sauce for an extra layer of flavor.

How to Serve

Serve the baked teriyaki salmon on its own or over a bed of steamed rice, quinoa, or veggies for a complete dinner. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and a drizzle of more teriyaki sauce if preferred. It also combines beautifully with a fresh cucumber salad or steamed broccoli.

Additional Tips

  • For a more strong taste, marinade the salmon in the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before baking.
  • If you don’t have sesame oil, you can use olive oil, but sesame oil gives a unique, nutty flavor to the dish.
  • Add red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce or Sriracha sauce to the salmon before serving to make it a little hotter.

Different Ways to Make the Recipe

Teriyaki with Ginger and Sesame

To make your salmon patties taste even better, add extra grated ginger to the teriyaki sauce. This change adds a spicy, toasty, and fragrant note that goes well with the soy sauce’s natural sweetness. Adding a little sesame oil helps bring out the taste of the sesame even more, making the meal even more full-bodied and vivid. Great for people who want things a little spicy and with more taste.

Version with Less Sodium

For a heart-healthier option, go for low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos to cut down on the sodium level of this recipe. These alternatives have the same flavorful depth that soy sauce offers but with substantially less salt, making it an excellent choice for individuals watching their sodium intake or following a low-sodium diet. It’s a tiny swap that nonetheless provides a rich and tasty product.

Spicy Teriyaki Salmon

Spice things up by adding a tablespoon of Sriracha sauce to your homemade teriyaki sauce. The sweet and savory base of teriyaki will balance out the heat from the Sriracha, providing a great blend of flavors. For an even spicier sensation, feel free to modify the amount of Sriracha to your desire or add more red pepper flakes to the mix. This variation is great for individuals who love a bit heat in their dishes.

Freezing and Storage

  • Salmon: If you have leftover baked teriyaki salmon, store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.
  • Freezing: You may freeze the baked salmon for up to 2 months. Store it in a freezer-safe container and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQ Section

Q: Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
A: Yes, you may use frozen salmon, but make sure to thaw it completely before baking to guarantee equal cooking.

Q: Can I create the teriyaki sauce in advance?
A: Yes, you may prepare the teriyaki sauce up to a week in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Q: Can I use pre-made teriyaki sauce?
A: While homemade is usually preferable, you can use store-bought teriyaki sauce as a shortcut if you’re short on time. Just be aware of the sugar and sodium content in some store-bought kinds.

Conclusion

Served baked teriyaki salmon with vegetables

Baked Teriyaki Salmon is a tasty and healthful recipe that mixes the richness of salmon with the savory-sweet overtones of homemade teriyaki sauce. The sauce soaks into the fish’s natural oils, making a supper that is both filling and healthy. Baked Teriyaki Salmon is a spectacular main course that will wow your guests at dinner time. It has a shiny, caramelized finish.

This meal is not only very easy to make, but it can also be used in many ways. For a balanced and tasty lunch, serve it with steamed rice, sautéed veggies, or a fresh salad. The teriyaki flavor makes the salmon taste even better, and it’s a family favorite for both busy weeknights and special occasions.

Make a fillet today and let the great smells fill your kitchen! Don’t forget to take a picture of your food and post it on Instagram. Tag me so I can join in the fun of your cooking success. Have fun cooking!