If you love salmon as much as I do, you’ve got to try Miso Honey-Glazed Salmon. It’s one of those easy, go-to dinners that’s both healthy and packed with flavour. The honey and miso glaze is super simple to whip up and takes the salmon to a whole new level. Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want something delicious without a lot of effort.

The Harmony of Flavours

Honey and miso are one of those combos that just works. The honey brings a touch of sweetness, and the miso adds this savoury, umami depth. Together, they’re the perfect balance—sweet, rich, and totally delicious. It’s no wonder they pair so well in all kinds of dishes!

The Health Benefits of Salmon and Miso

Salmon isn’t just delicious—it’s loaded with nutrition! It’s high in protein to keep you strong and packed with omega-3s, which are amazing for your heart and brain. Those healthy fats do wonders for keeping your heart healthy and your mind sharp.

And then there’s miso. This fermented gem is full of probiotics that are great for your gut health. Put salmon and miso together, and you’ve got a tasty meal that’s not just full of flavour but also super good for you.

Sous Vide and Pan-Seared Perfection

You can experiment with different cooking techniques. Here are two fantastic methods I usually go for: sous vide followed by pan-searing or simply pan-searing.

1. Sous Vide and Pan-Seared Combo:

Sous vide is a cooking technique that involves sealing the salmon in a vacuum-sealed bag and cooking it in a water bath at a precise temperature. This method ensures that the salmon cooks evenly and retains its moisture, resulting in incredibly tender and succulent fish.

To sous vide your honey miso glazed salmon, simply prepare the salmon fillets and season with some salt and pepper. With half of the glaze or without any of it, vacuum-seal the fillets in a bag. Cook the salmon in a sous vide water bath at around 125°F (52°C) for about 30-45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

After sous vide cooking, remove the salmon from the bag and pat dry with paper towels. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of oil. Carefully place the salmon fillets in the hot skillet, skin side down, and sear for about 1-2 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden brown. Flip the fillets and sear the other side for an additional 1-2 minutes.

You have two options to infuse maximum flavour into your salmon. You can either marinate the salmon fillets with the glaze or half of the glaze in vacuum-sealed bags and sous vide them together before pan-searing, or you can sous-vide the salmon fillets first and then apply the glaze during pan-searing. Personally, I prefer to sous-vide the salmon with part of the glaze to allow for more flavour absorption. Then, during pan-searing, I simply pour the other half of the glaze onto the fillets and cook until caramelized to perfection.

The combination of sous vide cooking and pan-searing creates salmon that’s perfectly cooked and packed with flavour. Plus, the caramelization from the pan-searing adds a delightful crispy texture to the exterior of the fish.

2. Classic Pan-Seared Method:

If you prefer a simpler approach, you can’t go wrong with pan-searing your honey miso glazed salmon. This method is quick, easy, and yields delicious results every time.

To pan-sear your salmon, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of oil. Once the skillet is hot, carefully place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin side down. Cook the salmon for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until the skin is crispy and the flesh is cooked through.

Be sure to spoon some of the honey miso glaze over the salmon as it cooks to infuse it with even more flavor. Once the salmon is done, remove it from the pan and serve it immediately with your favourite side dishes.

Whether you opt for the sous vide and pan-seared combo or stick with the classic pan-seared method, you’re in for a treat with this honey miso glazed salmon recipe. So go ahead, get cooking, and prepare to impress your taste buds!

Ingredients Used:

• White Miso Paste: White miso paste adds depth and savoury richness to the glaze. It contributes a complex umami flavour that enhances the overall taste of the dish. I like using white miso. I find it a more delicate flavour and less salt than darker miso.
• Honey (or Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, etc.): Honey provides sweetness to balance the savoury elements in the glaze. It adds a delightful contrast and helps create a harmonious flavour.
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness, depth of flavour and colour to the glaze. It enhances the savoury umami taste and provides a rich complexity to the dish.
• Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavour to the glaze. It helps balance the sweetness of the honey and enhances the overall brightness of the dish.
• Mirin: Mirin contributes sweetness and depth to the glaze. It adds a subtle complexity and helps round out the flavours of the dish.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil imparts a nutty and aromatic flavour to the glaze. It adds depth and richness, enhancing the overall complexity of the dish.
• Lemon Juice: Lemon juice offers a bright and refreshing acidity to the glaze, balancing the richness of other ingredients. Adjust the amount to your taste preference, keeping in mind its tartness.
• Water (if needed): Water is added to the glaze if it becomes too thick. It helps adjust the consistency of the glaze to achieve the desired texture.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds pungent and savoury notes to the glaze. It enhances the overall flavour and adds depth to the dish.
• Fresh Ginger: Grated fresh ginger adds a spicy and aromatic flavour to the glaze. It provides a subtle heat and complexity that complements the other ingredients.
• Goji Berries (optional): Goji berries add a sweet and tangy flavour to the dish. They provide a burst of brightness and texture, adding interest to the overall presentation.
• Chili Peppers (optional): Chili peppers add heat and spice to the dish. They can be adjusted to taste and provide a fiery kick that complements the other flavours in the glaze.
• Sesame Seeds (for garnish): Sesame seeds add a nutty and crunchy texture to the dish. They provide visual interest and enhance the overall presentation.
• Green Onions (for garnish): Chopped green onions add freshness and colour to the dish. They provide a bright and aromatic flavour that complements the other ingredients in the glaze.

Both miso and soy sauce contain high levels of salt, which can act as a brine that makes meat or fish tender. This happens because they break down the protein in the meat or fish. It helps the meat or fish keep more juice when cooking, so it’s tastier and juicier when you eat it.

Some Serving Suggestions

Perfect Pairings:

Pair your honey miso glazed salmon with some complementary side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Here are a few ideas:

• Steamed Vegetables: Lightly steamed veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or bok choy make a perfect accompaniment to the rich flavours of the salmon. They add a pop of color and freshness to your plate while providing a healthy dose of nutrients.
• Fluffy Rice: Whether it’s jasmine rice, brown rice, or sushi rice, serving your salmon with a side of rice is always a crowd-pleaser. The fluffy texture and mild flavour of rice help balance out the bold flavours of the salmon glaze.

2. Garnishes Galore:

Take your honey miso glazed salmon to the next level with some creative garnishes or toppings. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salmon just before serving for a delightful crunch and nutty flavour. Not only do sesame seeds add visual appeal, but they also complement the Asian-inspired flavours of the dish.
• Chopped Green Onions: A sprinkling of freshly chopped green onions adds a pop of colour and a hint of freshness to your salmon. The mild onion flavour pairs beautifully with the sweet and savoury glaze, enhancing the overall taste experience.

Tips and Variations

Choosing the Best Salmon and Miso:

• Trust Your Senses: When picking out salmon, trust your instincts. Look for fillets that are firm to the touch and have a vibrant colour. As for miso paste, opt for brands that is organic, uses high-quality ingredients and have a rich, savoury aroma.
• Fresh is Best: Whenever possible, go for fresh salmon over frozen. Fresh salmon tends to have a cleaner flavour and a firmer texture. If fresh isn’t an option, high-quality frozen salmon can still produce delicious results.

Get Creative with Customizations:

• Sweet Swaps: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sweeteners in your glaze. If you’re not a fan of honey, try using maple syrup or agave nectar instead, or brown sugar. Each sweetener adds its own unique flavour profile to the dish.
• Add Some Heat: Craving a little spice? Sprinkle some chilli flakes, add some chilli peppers into the sauce or drizzle sriracha sauce over your salmon before baking or grilling. The heat from the chilli will balance out the sweetness of the glaze and add a fiery kick.

Mixing sweet honey with savoury miso creates a flavour that’s both fancy and totally satisfying—from the rich, umami kick of miso to the gentle sweetness of honey. But it’s not just about the taste! We’ve also talked about the amazing health perks of salmon and miso. With salmon’s protein and omega-3s and miso’s probiotics, this dish is a nutritional win that your body will love.

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to roll up your sleeves, fire up the oven (or grill), and give this recipe a try! I’d love to hear how it turns out, so don’t forget to share your thoughts—your feedback always makes my day.

If you enjoyed this recipe, why not check out some of the other tasty dishes on my blog? And feel free to spread the word—share this post with your friends and family, or just tell them about it the old-fashioned way. You might even inspire someone to get in the kitchen and try their own spin on honey miso-glazed salmon!

I have a tofu version so stay tuned for the blog post and recipe!