Sweet & Savory Salmon Teriyaki
Sweet & Savory Salmon Teriyaki
The Perfect Salmon Teriyaki for Kids’ Lunchboxes!
I often used to make simple salted salmon for my Japanese husband’s bento boxes, but I wanted to try something different with salmon. This Teriyaki Salmon turned out so wonderfully! The sweet and savory sauce makes it a perfect side dish for children too. (●´ω｀●) Give this delightful dish a try!
Ingredients- 200g salmon fillet
- 1/2 leek
- 1-2 tsp grated ginger
- 2 tsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1-2 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp sake (cooking wine)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Starch (cornstarch, potato starch, or all-purpose flour) as needed
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the salmon fillet into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm. Lightly season the salmon pieces with salt and pepper. While you can cook it immediately, letting it marinate for a few minutes will enhance the flavor, much like marinating meat.
Step 2
Lightly coat the seasoned salmon pieces with starch. Dusting with starch will help create a slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy after cooking.
Step 3
Slice the leek into roughly 1-2 cm pieces, including the white part. The white part of the leek adds a pleasant sweetness and aroma when cooked with the teriyaki sauce.
Step 4
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the starch-coated salmon pieces and pan-fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side, until the salmon is cooked through.
Step 5
Once the salmon is nicely browned, push the salmon to one side of the pan and add the sliced leeks. Sauté the leeks until they become slightly translucent and fragrant.
Step 6
Add the grated ginger, mirin, soy sauce, sake, and sugar to the pan. Stir everything together to combine. If you don’t have mirin, you can omit it and add an extra half teaspoon of sugar and a little more sake. Let the sauce simmer and thicken, coating the salmon and leeks, until it becomes glossy. This should take a few minutes over medium-low heat.
Step 7
Your delicious Salmon Teriyaki is ready! The sauce should be slightly thickened and coating the salmon and leeks beautifully. Serve it hot over rice for a delightful meal or pack it in a bento box.
