Miso Glazed Salmon for Two is one of my favorite easy recipes to cook on busy weeknights. It has only a few ingredients but is big on taste. A simple miso marinade gives it savory-sweet flavor.

low angle shot of the cooked miso glazed salmon on a black plate. The salmon is on a bed of white rice with sliced avocado and sauteed spinach and is garnished with sesame seeds.

My family loves salmon. It’s so meaty and flavorful. All you need alongside are rice and a simple vegetable.

What is miso paste?

Miso paste is an amazing seasoning that can be used in all sorts of recipes. It’s Japanese in origin, but you don’t have to limit its use only to Japanese recipes.

Miso paste is a fermented mixture of soybeans and rice (or barley) and salt. Koji, a type of fungus, initiates the fermentation process. The result is a seasoning paste that is full of umami.

Miso paste adds depth of flavor to marinades, salad dressings, and sauces. I especially love it in this Miso Glazed Salmon recipe.

There are several different types of miso paste and they vary in flavor. Some are very mild, while others are very salty and intense. Generally speaking, the lighter the color of the miso, the milder it is.

Shiro or white miso paste is mild. Red or aka miso paste is more intense. Awasemiso is a combination of white and red miso pastes, with a flavor that falls in between the two.

I keep both white and red miso in my refrigerator and often use a mixture of the two. If you want to buy only one, start with white miso paste.

Look for miso paste in the refrigerator section of an Asian market and some well-stocked supermarkets. You can also buy miso paste online.

Miso paste is a key ingredient in miso soup, obviously, and is also used as a seasoning in Miso Ramen Tare.

What ingredients do you need for miso glazed salmon?

The ingredient list for this salmon recipe is nice and short. It comes from my book 5-Ingredient Cooking for Two!

White miso paste (or use awase miso paste or a combination of white and red or aka miso paste)
Sake (or use a dry white wine)
Sugar
Soy sauce
Salmon fillets

That’s it! I told you this Miso Glazed Salmon recipe is super simple!

A 3-image collage showing the steps to make the dish: Ingredients, making the marinade, marinating the fish.

How do you make it?

Simply mix up the miso marinade ingredients, pour them over the salmon, and let the salmon marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Then bake your salmon in the oven.

The longer you marinate the salmon in the miso sauce, the better. Thirty minutes is a good minimum. And if you can leave it for 2 hours, or even as long as overnight, that’s even better.

Book cover of 5-Ingredient Cooking for Two

How to tell if the salmon is done?

If you’re new to cooking salmon, you might worry about overcooking it. After all, it’s not difficult to cook fish just a little too long. To avoid this, be sure to check your salmon after 8 or 9 minutes.

The best way to tell if your salmon is done is by sticking a fork into the thickest part. If it flakes easily, it is ready to pull out of the oven. The flesh inside should be opaque all the way through, but still moist.

What do you serve with miso glazed salmon?

I like to keep things simple. We usually have this baked fish with steamed white or brown rice. Serve it with a side of refreshing Sunomono or Japanese Cucumber Salad, Sauteed Lotus Root, or Takuan, Japanese Pickled Daikon Radish.

This would make a great meal for a stay-at-home date night. Add a Spicy Cucumber Martini to make it even more special!

Cooking for Two

This recipe comes from my cookbook 5-Ingredient Cooking for Two. The recipe makes the perfect amount for a nice dinner for two, making it a great choice for a Valentine’s Day menu, a romantic dinner with your partner, or really any time you want to make a small amount.

The recipe is easy to double or triple, too, so that you can make enough for the whole family. I usually double it for my family of three and one lucky person gets to have leftover salmon for lunch the next day.

Overhead shot of the cooked miso glazed salmon. There is a black plate with a bed of white rice, the fish on top of the rice with sliced avocado and sauteed spinach on the side. Garnished with sesame seeds.

more japanese recipes you’ll love

If you love Japanese food as much as I do, try my Spicy Miso Ramen, Beef Yakisoba, Shrimp Yakisoba, or Chicken Karaage. For sides and snacks, don’t miss my Onigiri, Yaki Onigiri, Sunomono, Soy Sauce Eggs, Stir-Fried Lotus Root, or Chawanmushi.

For breakfast or brunch, try Japanese Souffle Pancakes with a nice cold Matcha Milk Tea!

If you’re looking for more fish recipes, give this sauteed sea bass a try.