This Miso Butter Salmon is sweet, savory, and full of flavor. Slightly charred with a flaky, tender interior, this salmon dish couldn’t be easier to make. I love salmon, especially when it comes to using Asian flavors. Not only is this miso butter salmon insanely delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to prepare. Each salmon fillet is smothered with a miso compound butter, made with fresh ginger, brown sugar, garlic and green onions. This sweet and savory combination pairs perfectly with salmon. You can bake it in the oven and finish it under the broiler or cook it inside the air fryer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Miso butter- This delicious compound butter is made of miso paste, garlic, ginger, brown sugar and scallions. Not only does it season the salmon but naturally bastes the salmon as it cooks. This results in a perfectly cooked piece of salmon.
- Quick and easy- This salmon recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. It’s ready in just 30 minutes.
- Perfect texture- This salmon is slightly charred, yet moist and tender inside.
- Alternative cooking methods- I have tested this recipe inside the oven, as well as inside the air fryer. Both options work great for this recipe!
Ingredient Notes:
- Salmon- Use your favorite type of salmon for this recipe. You can purchase pre-sliced salmon fillets. You will need four 6 oz potions. Feel free to use skin-on or skinless salmon fillets.
- Miso- In this recipe, I use white miso (Shiro Miso). It has a milder and more delicate flavor.
- Butter- Use unsalted butter. I leave it out at room temperature for 1-2 hours to soften.
- Brown sugar- You can use dark or light brown sugar.
- Ginger- Peel the ginger and use a micro plane to grate it.
- Garlic- Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Green onions- I use both the white and green portion. Make sure to use a sharp knife to slice the green onions very thin.
Step By Step Instructions:
STEP 1: Make the compound butter. In a medium-size bowl, combine softened butter, miso paste, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Use a spatula to mash together.
STEP 2: Top the salmon fillets. Equally divide the miso butter on top of each salmon fillet. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread the butter over the entire piece of salmon.
STEP 3: Cook the salmon (oven). Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet or baking dish, add salmon fillets. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and just about done. Then, broil on high for 1-2 minutes until the top of the salmon begins to caramelize.
STEP 4: Cook the salmon (air fryer). Preheat air fryer to 400°. Line air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil. Place salmon fillets inside basket and cook for 9-10 minutes. Do not turn.
STEP 5: Serve salmon. Place cooked salmon onto a platter. Drizzle remaining butter on top of salmon fillets. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and serve with steamed rice and vegetables.
Expert Tips:
When purchasing salmon, look for a wild-caught, high-quality variety. You can keep the skin-on if you prefer, which helps the salmon stay moist.
Make the miso butter in advance and store inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you are ready to use, let it soften at room temperature for 1-2 hours or zap it inside the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Then, spread the butter on top of salmon fillets.
To ensure the salmon cooks evenly, let it come to room temperature on the counter for 15 minutes before cooking.
When broiling the salmon, be sure to check the salmon before the cook time has finished to ensure the fish hasn’t browned too quickly or burned.
FAQ:
Where can I buy miso paste?
Miso paste has become increasingly popular. Most often found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store and is usually found near the tofu. You can also find it in almost all Asian and Japanese markets.
What is miso butter made of?
Miso butter is a type of compound butter, where the miso paste is creamed together with softened butter and other flavorings such as ginger, garlic, brown sugar and green onions.
What goes well with miso salmon?
Serve this miso salmon with steamed rice, quinoa, sautéed veggies or even as a protein for your salad.
Storage and Leftovers:
Place any leftover miso butter salmon inside an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Reheating salmon in the oven is the best overall method to keep it moist and not dry out. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees and reheat for 15 minutes or until warmed through.
More Recipe Suggestions:
Creamy Spinach and Roasted Red Pepper Salmon
Gochujang Noodles with Crumbled Tempeh
Grilled Salmon Skewers with Cilantro Sauce
Grilled Salmon Skewers with Creamy Dill Yogurt Sauce
Miso Butter Salmon
Equipment
- Large Skillet (oven-safe) (I like cast-iron, it goes from stove/oven to table and keeps food warm)
- Air-Fryer (optional method)
Ingredients
- 4 Salmon fillets 6 oz. each
- 6 tbsp Unsalted butter softened
- 3 tbsp White miso paste
- 1 tbsp Brown sugar
- 2 tsp Fresh ginger grated
- 1-2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 tbsp Green onions sliced thin
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, combine softened butter, miso paste, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and green onions. Use a spatula to mash together.
- Equally divide the miso butter on top of each salmon fillet. Use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread the butter over the entire piece of salmon.
- For oven: Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet or baking dish, add salmon fillets. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is opaque and just about done. Then, broil on high for 1-2 minutes until the top of the salmon begins to caramelize.
- For air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°. Line air fryer basket with parchment paper or foil. Place salmon fillets inside basket and cook for 9-10 minutes. Do not turn.
- Place cooked salmon onto a platter. Drizzle remaining butter on top of salmon fillets. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and serve with steamed rice and vegetables.
