The trick to this recipe lies in the balance of the flavors in the sauce, and there are lots of swaps you can make to personalize this recipe to your liking. For example, the brown sugar can be easily replaced with honey to create a honey miso-glazed salmon, which will add a greater level of sweetness to the recipe.
If you want to add a spicy kick to the glaze, then you can mix in ingredients, such as red chili flakes or sriracha sauce, and taste and adjust the glaze as you go to reach the right level of heat.
You can also use different types of miso for your glaze. Red miso is the preferred option for this dish, with its intense and salty flavor that balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. However, you could also use yellow miso, which is milder, or white miso, which has an even sweeter taste, to vary the profile of the glaze to your liking.
Take the time to pick the best salmon fillets you can find at the fish counter in your local store. Look for a deep pink color and test the firmness of the fish with your finger. If it springs back when you touch it then you know it’s fresh. Take care not to overcook your salmon.
The fillets don’t take long to bake in the oven when up to temperature. We have an entire guide outlining the top tips for baking salmon in the oven to keep it moist and flavorful. Some chefs will bake their salmon in aluminum foil in the oven to help trap the moisture and flavor, which you could opt to do for the first step of cooking, but you’d need to remove the foil before broiling.
We’ve included sesame seeds as a garnish to finish your salmon, but it’s possible to add other ingredients, such as sliced scallions, to introduce bright, fresh flavors to finish the dish.
Glazing Technique and Broiling Tips
For the perfect miso-glazed salmon, aim to bake the fish so it’s still moist on the inside, and broil the top quickly so you achieve that inviting caramelized glaze on top without overcooking. To get that irresistible shine, reserve some of the marinade as suggested in our recipe above.
This is then brushed on top of the salmon before broiling, to help caramelize the outer layer. The easiest way to do this is with a pastry brush to lightly cover the surface of the salmon. For broiling, you don’t need long to get the right texture.
A minute or two will be enough to bring the salmon up to temperature and create a shiny glazed top. To check if the salmon is fully cooked, you can try slipping a spatula in between the skin and the fish and, if the skin comes away easily, then you know the salmon is ready to serve.
Side Dishes to Serve with It
Take inspiration from other Asian dishes when serving miso-glazed salmon. This salmon is irresistible when plated on a bed of brown rice or served with a helping of hot edamame beans to the side.
Or you could add it to the top of your favorite Asian-inspired salad, for a warm element in your dish.
