7-Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon

Seafood • 20 min • Quick

A quick, glossy, sweet-savoury Teriyaki Salmon that cooks in minutes and tastes like your favorite Japanese restaurant. The sauce thickens beautifully without effort, and the whole dish requires only seven simple ingredients.

Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or anyone who wants maximum flavour with minimal work.

Ingredient List

Salmon

• 2 salmon fillets (4–6 oz each)
• 1 tbsp oil (canola, sunflower, or avocado)

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 green onion, finely sliced (optional)

• Steamed jasmine rice or quinoa
• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions
• Lime wedges
• Steamed broccoli or snap peas

1. Make the teriyaki sauce

In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
The honey gives natural thickness without cornstarch.

2. Sear the salmon

Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high.
Place salmon fillets skin-side down (if applicable) and cook 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp at the edges.

3. Flip & glaze

Flip the salmon. Pour the teriyaki sauce around the fillets.
Simmer 2–3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the top as it thickens and becomes sticky.

4. Reduce to glossy perfection

Lower heat and continue reducing until the sauce coats the salmon in a shiny glaze.
Turn off heat before the honey burns.

5. Finish & serve

Top with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Nonstick or stainless-steel skillet
• Small mixing bowl
• Spatula or tongs
• Cutting board + knife

• No honey? Use brown sugar or maple syrup.
• No rice vinegar? Use lemon juice for brightness.
• Chunk salmon instead: Cut salmon into cubes for teriyaki salmon bites (faster cooking).
• Oven option: Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 12 minutes, adding sauce halfway through.
• Vegetarian version: Replace salmon with tofu — press, cube, pan-sear, then glaze.

• Refrigerator: Up to 3 days
• Freezer: Salmon freezes well glazed — up to 2 months
• Reheat: Microwave gently or warm in skillet with a splash of water

• Only 7 ingredients
• Glossy, sweet-savory glaze
• Cooks in 20 minutes
• Healthy, simple weeknight dinner
• Great with rice, quinoa, noodles, or vegetables

You may also enjoy our 15 Min Garlic Butter Salmon, try the 15 Min Soy Ginger Noodles, or go for an 6-Ingredient Creamy Pesto Pasta.