If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with rich, savory-sweet flavors and perfectly tender fish paired with fluffy rice, this Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a delightful balance of tender salmon glazed in an irresistible teriyaki sauce, all served atop steaming white rice that soaks up those delicious juices. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or impressing friends, this dish is a guaranteed winner that’s simple to prepare yet impressively satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for just a handful of essential ingredients, each playing a crucial role in building that classic teriyaki flavor profile and ensuring your salmon turns out moist, flavorful, and beautifully glazed. You’ll find every element easy to find, which makes pulling this dish together a total breeze!
- 4 salmon fillets: Choose fresh, skin-on fillets for the best texture and flavor.
- 1/2 cup soy sauce: The salty foundation that defines the teriyaki sauce’s bold taste.
- 1/4 cup mirin: A sweet Japanese rice wine that adds mellow sweetness and depth.
- 1/4 cup sake: Enhances umami and tenderizes the salmon for melt-in-your-mouth results.
- 3 tbsp brown sugar: Gives the sauce its signature glossy caramelized glaze.
- 1 tsp grated ginger: Adds a fresh, zingy kick to balance the sweetness.
- 2 cups cooked white rice: Perfectly steamed rice to absorb the sauce and complement the fish.
- Green onions, for garnish: Fresh, crunchy, and giving a pop of color and mild onion flavor.
How to Make Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
Start by whisking together soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and freshly grated ginger in a small bowl. This combination creates that iconic teriyaki sauce—sweet, salty, and with just the right touch of spice from the ginger to brighten the flavors.
Step 2: Marinate the Salmon
Place your salmon fillets into the marinade, letting them soak up all those fantastic flavors for at least 30 minutes. This step is key because it infuses the fish, making every bite rich and juicy while tenderizing the flesh slightly for perfect texture.
Step 3: Cook the Salmon
Heat a skillet over medium heat and carefully lay the marinated salmon fillets skin-side down if your fillets have skin. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly as it caramelizes on the fish. The result should be a beautifully glazed exterior with a tender interior that flakes gently.
Step 4: Plate with Steamed Rice
Serve each salmon fillet over a bed of warm steamed rice. The rice acts like a sponge, soaking up the luscious teriyaki sauce drizzled over the fish, offering a mouthwatering combination of textures and flavors with every forkful.
How to Serve Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Finish off your dish with a sprinkling of finely chopped green onions. Their fresh, mild bite adds a delightful crunch and a burst of color, making the presentation pop and enhancing the overall eating experience.
Side Dishes
Pair this dish with simple steamed or sautéed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy. These greens bring a fresh, vibrant contrast and extra nutrients, keeping the meal balanced and satisfying without overpowering the salmon’s delicate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the salmon teriyaki on a bed of mixed grains or a serving platter with a side of pickled ginger and toasted sesame seeds for texture and a hint of nuttiness. You can also arrange thin cucumber ribbons alongside for a cool, refreshing bite that complements the warm, savory salmon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe, transfer the salmon and rice to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors will deepen overnight, making for an even tastier next-day meal.
Freezing
While you can freeze cooked salmon, it’s best to freeze the cooked salmon and rice separately in airtight freezer-safe containers or bags. Thawed fish sometimes loses a bit of texture, so freezing is ideal only if you plan to consume within 1-2 months.
Reheating
Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. Adding a few drops of water to the rice before reheating helps keep it moist. Be careful not to overcook the salmon during reheating to avoid drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon fillets for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just thaw them thoroughly in the refrigerator before marinating and cooking to ensure even cooking and the best flavor absorption.
What can I substitute for sake if I don’t have it?
If sake isn’t available, dry white wine or a mild rice vinegar diluted slightly with water can work as substitutes, though the flavor profile won’t be exactly the same.
Is it okay to marinate salmon longer than 30 minutes?
Marinating for up to an hour is fine, but avoid going much longer as the acid and salt in the marinade can start to break down the fish’s texture too much, making it mushy.
Can I make the sauce without mirin?
You can omit mirin and add a little extra brown sugar or honey to maintain sweetness, but mirin adds a unique balance that’s worth trying if you can find it.
What kind of rice is best with Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe?
Simple steamed short-grain or medium-grain white rice works best because of its sticky texture, which soaks up the teriyaki sauce beautifully, enhancing every bite.
Final Thoughts
This Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe is truly a classic that’s approachable for any home cook and sure to be adored by everyone around your table. It combines comfort, elegance, and flavor in such a harmonious way that once you make it, you’ll want to make it again and again. So grab your salmon, get that sauce simmering, and enjoy the delicious journey!
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Salmon Teriyaki with Steamed Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Delicious and easy Salmon Teriyaki served over steamed white rice, featuring a savory homemade teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar, garnished with fresh green onions.
Ingredients
For the Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Main Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and grated ginger, mixing well to create a balanced sweet and savory teriyaki sauce.
- Marinate the Salmon: Place the salmon fillets in a shallow dish and pour the teriyaki sauce over them. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes, letting the flavors deeply infuse the fish.
- Cook the Salmon: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Remove the salmon from the marinade and cook each fillet for 3-4 minutes per side until the fish is cooked through and has a nice glaze from the teriyaki sauce.
- Serve: Plate the cooked salmon over steamed white rice. Garnish generously with freshly chopped green onions for a fresh and colorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute white rice with brown rice for added fiber and nutrients.
- Do not discard the marinade; you can simmer it for a few minutes to use as an additional sauce drizzle.
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon to keep it moist and tender.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
