Oven Baked Teriyaki Salmon

Oven baked teriyaki salmon is a super easy dinner dish that takes 1 minute to prep and can be made with store-bought or homemade teriyaki sauce. Want to make it yourself? A deliciously simple 10 minute recipe for teriyaki sauce using only honey, mirin and soy sauce is included.

I think teriyaki sauce was how I first fell in love with Asian food, some 25 years ago. With its slight sweetness it's no surprise sweet-toothed-kid-Emmeline liked it. While the sweet tooth has gotten better (although I am eating chocolate while writing this) I still love teriyaki sauce.

A while back I made a super-quick chicken teriyaki stir-fry that has been a big hit with you guys (No wonder! It takes only 15 minutes to make - time to make the teriyaki sauce included). So it was about time for a new take on teriyaki.

If you're looking for a different style of Asian inspired salmon - check out this Firecracker Salmon.

Why this recipe works

Teriyaki sauce and salmon are such a great combo. While baking, the teriyaki glaze kind of melts into the salmon, allowing the flavor to penetrate the fish and spread throughout. The fish comes out buttery and flavor packed, and add that thin layer of sesame seeds and you get a great roasted touch to it all that's worth coming back for. But even better - it's a super delicious dish that takes less than 20 minutes in the oven. With just 1 minute of prep!

Of course, if you make the teriyaki sauce yourself you will need to add 10 minutes to that. But it's perfectly fine to use a store-bought teriyaki sauce as well, if you don't feel like spending the extra time.

So to sum it all up, you should make this recipe because:

• It's quick - 20 minutes from start to finish.
• It's hands off - it's baked in the oven and requires only 1 minute of prep.
• The salmon comes out buttery and filled with flavor from the teriyaki sauce
• Teriyaki sauce adds sweet & salty flavors that melt into the salmon
• Sesame seeds lend a slightly roasted touch, as well as a nice crunch
• It heats up well and makes a great bring-along-lunch

What you need to make this recipe

This recipe requires just three ingredients:

1. Salmon - I prefer a solid piece of fresh salmon with the skin still on, but you do you.
2. Teriyaki sauce - either store-bought or homemade.
3. Sesame seeds - you can skip them, but they do add a nice touch both visually & flavor wise.

Expert tip 1: When you see those big fresh salmon filets on sale - make sure to get one. It might be big, but it freezes incredibly well so just cut it into pieces that are about 500 g or 1 lb (or whatever size is good for your household), place in individual freezer bags and stick them in the freezer. Then on the morning of the day you want to cook salmon, take one out and place in the fridge. It will be nice and thawed just as you get home from work!

Expert tip 2: If you're worried about sugar, make your own teriyaki sauce. Store-bought versions can often be unnecessarily heavy on the sugar. But when you make your own, you know how much you put in there - and of what kind.

When it come to tools there's not much you need there either:

• A baking dish that fits the salmon
• A kitchen brush, or a spoon if you don't have a brush

Expert tip 3: Use a baking dish that's a bit battered already, or that you're not too careful with. Due to the high sugar content the teriyaki sauce tends to burn the bottom quite a bit. I keep a battered baking dish around at all times for this exact purpose.

How to make your own teriyaki sauce

If you are planning on making your own teriyaki sauce, that's where you start. Mix together the ingredients for the sauce in a sauce pan, place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Then let it simmer for about 10 minutes until a bit sticky. That's when it's time to take it off the heat!

For best results, let the teriyaki sauce cool down for at least 10 minutes. This way it will get stickier and sit better on top of the salmon.

How to make baked teriyaki salmon

Now that you have your teriyaki sauce - homemade or store bought - it's time to heat the oven to 200 C/400 F and bring out your baking dish.

Place the salmon skin-side down in the baking dish (1) and then brush half of the teriyaki sauce on top of it (2-3). Top with sesame seeds and then bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes.

Expert tip 4: In 20 minutes your salmon will most likely bake all the way through. If you like it a bit pink and raw in the center, bake it for 15 minutes instead.

Then bring out the salmon (5) and just before serving drizzle with some of the remaining teriyaki sauce (6). Serve the rest on the side as a sauce.

Expert tips summarized

1. Buy big salmon filets when cheap and keep in the freezer.
2. Make your own teriyaki sauce to control the amount of sugar that goes into it.
3. Use a baking dish you're not too careful with in case the teriyaki sauce burns it.
4. For a pink center, bake the salmon for 15 minutes instead.

Frequently asked questions

Can you reheat salmon?

Yes! Salmon reheats really well, and this dish makes a perfect lunch the day after for just that reason.

What can I substitute mirin for?

Mirin is sweet & acidic, so it can be substituted by a sweet white wine, a sweet prosecco or a sweet sherry. Or use dry white wine or even rice vinegar and add ½ teaspoon of sugar for every 1 tablespoon of wine or vinegar.

What type of salmon should I use?

I prefer to use a solid piece of fresh salmon with the skin still on. This way I can place it skin-side down and avoid the meat of the salmon burning. However, you can make this with individual salmon filets - fresh or thawed from frozen - as well.

What to serve with teriyaki salmon

This salmon is packed full of flavor and you won't go wrong serving it with plain rice. But if you're after something a bit more adventurous, may I suggest:

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges - a perfect pairing with sweet cinnamon flavors
• Seasoned Butter Rice - give your rice just 5 more minutes and you have this delicious side dish that's so good you might just forget about the main
• Garlic Roasted Broccoli - if you're staying away from carbs or just want to add some veggies, there's not many things better than this simple garlic roasted broccoli
• Roasted Asparagus from Sweet & Savory Meals - asparagus pairs so well with salmon, and for teriyaki salmon this version with chili flakes and lemon is absolutely perfect
• Fried rice from Went Here 8 This - keeping to the Asian theme, fried rice is a perfect side. I'd make sure to use Japanese soy sauce for the fried rice for the ultimate flavor pairing.

Or check out my complete list to the best dishes to serve alongside salmon - including special recommendations for Teriyaki Salmon.

Other salmon recipes I think you will love

I love salmon and am lucky to live in Sweden were there's always a great selection of fresh, frozen and smoked salmon available for a (mostly) decent price. It's one of those rare foods that are great for you, and also delicious and versatile - no wonder I make it at least once every week!

Some of my favorite salmon recipes are:

• Bacon Wrapped Salmon - salmon is loaded up with garlic butter before being wrapped in bacon slices
• Crispy Furikake Salmon - quick to prep and loaded with salty sea flavors
• Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon - as simple and healthy as this one, but with a different flavor profile
• Salmon Spinach Pasta - a super quick pasta sauce using hot smoked salmon (but you can use cold smoked salmon or fresh salmon as well)
• Salmon Risotto with Leeks - a simple and surprisingly light risotto.
• Salmon Tartare with Smoked Salmon, Rum & Fried Capers - an easy tartare recipe packed full of flavor. The perfect appetizer to show off just a bit!
• Healthy Salmon Tacos - quick to make, full of flavor and topped with a yummy ginger avocado salsa.
• Salmon Pâté - done in just 5 minutes with hot smoked salmon, this is a delicious topping for bread.

Did you try this teriyaki salmon? Let me know what you think! Just leave a comment below, and why not leave a rating as well while you're there?

Enjoy!

Emmeline

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