Have you ever sampled the delicate balance of umami flavors found in a perfect piece of miso glazed salmon? Though it sounds like a dish exclusive to upscale sushi joints, you'll be surprised to learn how easy it is to recreate such exquisite taste in your home kitchen. Stay with me as we traverse the culinary bridges between East and West, nurturing a concoction of flavors that'll transport your taste buds right into the heart of Tokyo. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. A handful of Japanese essential ingredients paired with a quality piece of salmon are all you need...Let's Get Cooking!
Begin by creating the marinade/glaze that brings all the flavor and wonderful aromas of this simple sheet pan baked miso salmon. Combine some brown sugar, soy sauce, white miso paste, and rice wine/sake in a small bowl and mix well. This should create a sweet and salty umami-packed glaze that makes all the difference between boring western-style salmon and this Miso Glazed Salmon!
Once your glaze is ready, liberally brush it all over your salmon fillet creating a nice thick layer. If you are using skin on salmon, simply place the fish skin side down on your tray and apply the glaze to the flesh side only. Otherwise, cover your fillets with the glaze and return the fish to the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to absorb those delicious flavors. Limit this time to no longer than 45 minutes, however, to preserve some of the natural fish flavor we want to shine through as well. The recipe card below was designed for about 4 portions, but I made a double batch, as seen below. Save any remaining glaze for basting later on.
While your salmon soaks up those umami flavors in the fridge, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. When the oven is ready and the fish has had at least 30 minutes to marinate, transfer the sheet pan to the oven and bake the salmon for 9 minutes.
After 9 minutes, remove the salmon from the oven and apply any remaining glaze to the fish. Put it back in and let it bake for an additional 9 minutes. After 18 total minutes, remove the salmon from the oven and set the broiler to high. When the broiler is hot, place the salmon back in the oven for 1 to 2 minutes to finish setting the glaze and create a nice crust of flavor! Ultimately, you are aiming to reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Just as easy as it seemed, voila, you have just made the most delicious Miso Glazed Salmon! You can garnish it with green onions and sesame seeds, or leave it as is for the more picky eaters, but either way no one can deny the flavor sensation and umami bomb that will explode the second this fish hits their taste buds! A half salmon should produce about 4 total fillet portions.
Pair this salmon dish with steamed jasmine or sushi rice for a traditional feel or be daring by trying it on a bed of quinoa or sautéed greens. Remember, a squeeze of fresh lemon post-baking can do wonders to elevate the flavor profile of your dish. Otherwise, just dig in and enjoy!
There's a subtlety to Japanese cooking that's been refined for centuries, and this miso glazed salmon dish is a way of bringing those refining techniques into our modern kitchens. A few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, yet an outcome that's packed with an array of flavorful surprises. Isn't that the hallmark of a simple yet spectacular dish? Enjoy the journey of preparing this fish, but more importantly, savor the flavor explosion it brings. Food is love made edible, so share your culinary love generously by serving this delectable dish to the ones you cherish most...Just Keep Cooking!
MISO GLAZED SALMON
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