Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This easy miso butter salmon is perfect for you if you’re looking for a weeknight salmon recipe that feels fancy but cooks up fast. This miso butter salmon is about to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
It comes together in just 20 minutes with a handful of pantry staples and the most delicious umami-packed miso butter. Just a quick sear and brush of the sweet and salty miso glaze caramelizes the salmon to perfection.
The magic is in the miso butter – a combo of miso, sesame oil, ginger, and honey that takes this salmon from basic to restaurant-worthy. Even salmon skeptics will devour this butter-basted fish.
If you want an easy way to upgrade your weeknight dinners, you need this miso butter salmon stat. The simple steps deliver gourmet flavors in minimal time. Keep reading for everything you need to know to make this crowd-pleasing salmon at home. Your new go-to salmon recipe packed with umami flavors has arrived.
Miso Butter Salmon Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets (about 6 oz each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
How To Make Miso Butter Salmon
Step 1 – Prepare Salmon: Pat each salmon filet dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Heat Olive Oil: In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
Step 3 – Pan fry the Salmon: Place each salmon fillet skin-side up in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the salmon is golden and crispy. Flip the filets and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Step 4 – Make Miso Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter, miso paste, honey, and garlic and cover with a lid for another 2 minutes.
Miso Butter Salmon Substitutions and Variations
Substitutions
White Miso Paste – You can use either yellow miso paste, which is slightly sweeter and milder, or red miso paste which is on the stronger and saltier side.
Soy Sauce – Good gluten-free alternatives for soy sauce would be tamari sauce and coconut aminos. You can also use low-sodium soy sauce.
Honey – You can substitute honey with maple syrup. If you want a vegan-friendly option, you can opt for the agave nectar which has a similar sweetness to honey.
Green Onions – If you’re looking for alternatives that would still provide the same mild onion flavor, you can use chives or shallots instead.
Sesame Seeds – Use crushed nuts or toasted sunflower seeds to achieve the same nutty flavor.
Ginger – add a tablespoon of grated ginger to the sauce
Rice Vinegar – If you’re looking to add a bit of tanginess to the miso butter sauce but want an alternative to lemon or lime juice, rice vinegar is an excellent choice. It’s milder and slightly sweet, making it a perfect addition without overpowering the dish. Substitute equal parts rice vinegar for any citrus juice called for in variations, or add a tablespoon to the sauce to brighten the flavors.
Variations
Citrus Miso Butter Salmon – Add lemon juice or orange juice/zest to the miso butter sauce for a citrusy kick.
Spicy Miso Butter Salmon – Add a dash of chili flakes, sriracha, or your favorite hot sauce to the miso butter sauce for a spicier flavor. Don’t forget to adjust the spice level to your liking.
Cilantro Lime Miso Butter Salmon – Mix in chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice into the miso sauce to add more flavor.
Sesame Miso Butter Salmon – Add toasted sesame oil or sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salmon dish for that extra layer of nutty flavor.
Teriyaki Glazed Miso Butter Salmon – Mix in a bit of teriyaki sauce to the miso sauce to add a sweet and savory glaze to the dish.
Shiitake Miso Butter Salmon – Incorporate thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms by sautéing them in the skillet just after cooking the salmon and before preparing the miso sauce. The mushrooms will absorb the flavors of the miso butter- yumm!
Equipment
Large frying pan (Oven-Safe)
Measuring Spoons
Knife / Butter Knife and Cutting Board
Fish Spatula / Tongs
How to Store and Reheat Miso Butter Salmon
Storing Miso Butter Salmon
Before storing, make sure to allow the cooked salmon to cool down to room temperature. Afterwards, you can either transfer the salmon to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. Refrigerate and consume within 2-3 days.
Reheating Miso Butter Salmon
There are three methods you can use to reheat the Miso Butter Salmon:
1. Oven Method
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the salmon in an oven-safe dish or on a baking sheet and reheat for about 10-15 minutes. Take note that there is a tendency for the salmon to dry using this method so you need to make sure that you cover the salmon with aluminum foil.
2. Stovetop Method
Over low-medium heat. heat a skillet and add a small amount of oil or butter. Covered with a lid or foil, place the salmon skin side down and reheat for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Microwave Method
Place the salmon on a microwave-safe dish. Covered with a microwave-safe cover or damp paper towel, reheat using medium power for 1-2 minutes per filet.
4. Microwave Method
Place the salmon in the air fryer basket and reheat at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
Miso Butter Salmon Cooking Tips (Top 3 Tips to Success)
1. Use fresh ingredients – particularly the salmon – If possible, opt for wild-caught salmon since it tends to have better flavor and texture. There are different types of miso in your local grocery store or nearby Asian grocery stores so keep in mind to choose good-quality miso paste and fresh garlic and ginger for the miso sauce.
2. Observe proper cooking technique – Cook the salmon in a hot skillet / pan first before baking it in the oven. This ensures the right amount of crispiness on the outside and juiciness on the inside. Make sure that you don’t overcook the salmon since it might become too dry and lose its flavor as well.
3. Balanced Flavors – Make sure the butter sauce has a balanced flavor profile by adjusting the amount of miso paste, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger according to your taste preferences.
Miso Butter Salmon FAQs
What is miso butter made of?
Miso butter is typically made using a combination of unsalted butter and miso paste. You can also add more ingredients to add a deep umami flavor to the miso butter.
What is miso salmon made of?
Miso salmon is made of skin on or skinless salmon filets that are marinated or coated in a mixture containing miso paste, along with additional ingredients to enhance its flavor.
What is miso glaze made of?
Miso glaze is made from a combination of miso paste, sweetener like brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or mirin and other common seasoning and flavoring ingredients.
What tastes good with salmon?
Salmon is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of flavors including citrus, herbs like dill, parsley, and cilantro, garlic, onions, honey, soy sauce, ginger, mustard, sesame, chili, creamy sauces, vegetables like asparagus and broccoli, and grains such as quinoa and rice.
What brings out the flavor of salmon?
To enhance the flavor of the salmon, you can use ingredients like citrus, herbs, garlic, onions, soy sauce, honey, and maple syrup. Cooking methods such as pan frying, grilling, broiling, pan-searing, baking, and marinating also help in bringing out its natural flavor.
What makes salmon taste better?
Salmon tastes better when its cooked properly using fresh ingredients and flavorful seasoning. The cooking methods and ingredients that you use also play a part in enhancing its taste and flavor profile.
Miso Butter Salmon Conclusion
In conclusion, this Easy Miso Butter Salmon offers a quick, delicious, and sophisticated twist on your typical salmon fillet. This recipe is not just another salmon dish; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients like sesame seeds, green onions, and a unique miso butter sauce can elevate salmon fillets from ordinary to extraordinary. Perfect for those seeking to impress their palate with minimal effort, this miso butter salmon is a must-try that is bound to become a beloved addition to weeknight dinner rotation.
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PrintEasy Miso Butter Salmon (Quick Dinner)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
4 salmon filets (about 6 oz each)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons white miso paste
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat each salmon filet dry with paper towels and season them with salt and pepper.
- In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Place each salmon fillet skin-side up in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the salmon is golden and crispy. Flip the filets and cook for an additional minute.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter, miso paste, honey, and garlic.
- Cover skillet with a lid and cook for 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with scallions, sesame seeds, and drizzling extra miso butter on top.
