10-Minute Miso Salmon (Air Fryer or Oven!)

This epic Miso Salmon recipe delivers an easy dish that’s full of flavor and restaurant-worthy flair. A simple yet lip-smacking miso glaze that’s sweet, savory, and full of umami goodness is the marinade that coats the salmon fillets. Then give the salmon a quick cook in the air fryer or the oven, and pair alongside rice, broccoli, or your favorite side items for a swoon-worthy meal that everyone will love!

I live for a solid + dependable dinner recipe that does not get old. Hbu? Like a good roast chicken, a simple pasta, ground meat tacos, and this salmon recipe. I’m always looking for ways to switch up how I prepare salmon and this baddie is an absolute favorite. Y’all know I love my miso and Asian flavors, and if you didn’t, just peruse the site a little bit. Before I hit you with a river of Thanksgiving/holiday-related recipes, I gotta share this one before the flood, ha!

Dreamy, Easy Miso Salmon 😋

Ain’t no boring salmon going on over here with this one, nah. We’re talking flavor-filled goodness with this miso salmon recipe, friends. Yup, all the flavor with minimal ingredients as well. The main steps are marinating the salmon in umami-forward, fragrant flavors and then cooking. You can cook the salmon in 2 ways: air fryer or oven method and enjoy ya life! Everything is super straightforward and very much low-effort, high-reward…yuh 🙌🏾.

The BBR Community lately has been thoroughly enjoying: Cajun Seafood Boil, my Jamaican Beef Patties, and this Sweet Potato Pound Cake.

Why This Miso Salmon Recipe Works ♡

Here’s the main highlights I love so much about this dish:

1. Simple yet restaurant-worthy flair…This recipe possesses that oh la la vibe that’s perfect for when you want to add a new dish into your rotation. If you love salmon and want a new way to prepare for weeknight dinners or all else, this one is sure to produce that swoon-worthy factor!
2. Flavorrrtown, the best town…The flavors going on here are everything and more, peeps. The marinade is super simple and each ingredient truly makes the salmon pop. The marinade is out of this world good. Literally every time I make this miso salmon, the compliments don’t stop! 💯
3. Quick & easy with versatility…Serve up this miso salmon dish for a family dinner or save it for a special occasion like when entertaining, for a date night-in, or some other nice moment. This recipe is ridiculously easy and can be enjoyed no matter the occasion! If you’re into meal prepping, this one is a phenomenal protein option to make ahead, too.

Ingredients Needed For This Miso Salmon:

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

• White miso paste: The main ingredient! Miso is a fermented soybean paste and a traditional Japanese seasoning that is considered a staple. It has a sweet, salty, umami-loaded profile…more on miso paste, below.
• Soy sauce: A touch of soy sauce to amp up the flavor…low-sodium!
• Brown sugar: A lil brown suga to balance the salty notes.
• Ginger paste: Mmmm, fresh ginger paste adds a lovely fragrant zing.
• Sesame oil: Love toasted sesame oil for a super nutty aroma, but plain works.
• Mirin: A sweet, kinda tangy rice wine condiment.
• White pepper: A nice mild, smooth form of pepper.
• Salmon fillets: I recommend using skinless salmon for this miso salmon recipe because we’ll be marinating it, and you want that flavor to penetrate the fish.
• & sesame seeds + sliced scallions, for serving- optional.

Ingredient Spotlight: Miso!

What is miso? Great question! Miso is a fermented soybean paste and a traditional Japanese seasoning that is considered a staple. It has a pungent, richly flavored taste that is routinely common in a lot of Asian food cultures. You can almost surely find it in many of their soups, sauces, and dressings. Additionally, there are different types of miso as well. There’s white miso (labeled light or mellow miso) and also dark miso (labeled red or brown miso).

White miso tends to have a milder flavor with a mellow sweetness to it. While the latter, dark miso, is much more concentrated with a robust, nutty, and saltier flavor profile. I love the use of white miso within the marinade/sauce for this miso salmon. White miso pairs exceptionally well with delicate proteins like salmon, adding a layer of umami-rich flavor, gahhh…👅.

⇢ You can typically find miso paste (in the refrigerated section, often near the tofu) at any Asian grocery market, and also other big box grocers.

How To Make This Recipe:

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

1. Prep the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine the miso paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger,  sesame oil, mirin, and white pepper. Stir the marinade together until well combined and smooth.
2. Marinate salmon. In a shallow glass vessel, add the salmon fillets and cover with the miso marinade. Use your hands to massage the marinade all over the salmon. Cover the dish with an airtight lid and transfer into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Remove the miso salmon from the marinade, and place the salmon fillets into the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry miso salmon for 9-10 minutes.
5. Serve your miso salmon immediately alongside ya favorite side dishes for a complete meal (we love a good steamed broccoli or green bean pairing here!). Garnish miso salmon with sesame seeds and sliced scallions, if desired. Enjoy, boo!

Are You A Miso Fan, Too?!

Don’t miss my Miso Shrimp Scampi, these Miso Ginger Salmon Rice Bowls, and this Braised Pork Belly Miso Ramen for miso-forward scrumptiousness! 🤤

Can I Make This In The Oven?

Yes! Here’s how it’ll go down…For oven method: Place an oven rack in the center position, and then set the oven broiler to high. Line a medium-sized baking sheet with foil (I don’t recommend using parchment paper as it can burn under the broiler). Remove the miso salmon from the marinade, brush off excess, and place the salmon fillets onto the foil-lined baking sheet with a bit of space in between each one. Broil salmon fillets for 8-10 minutes or until salmon is cooked through with easily flaked flesh.

What To Serve With Miso Salmon

Salmon, especially a saucy/glazed salmon, pairs so well with rice…think jasmine rice or any other fragrant rice. Even fried rice would be nice! And of course, steamed broccoli or green beans for a nutritious, wholesome vibe. Other delicious sides you might like:

• Jamaican Rice & Peas (c’mon cross-culture flair!)
• Iceberg Wedge Salad (love a salmon + salad duo)
• Fried Sweet Plantains (the savory & sweet combo, yum)
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes (super comforting + cozy!)

BBR Tips, FAQs, & Recipe Notes:

• Can I make ahead/marinate salmon for longer? Miso paste contains a lot of sodium, and marinating your salmon for an extended period may result in extra salty salmon. I find 2 hours of marination to be the sweet spot. However, use your discretion with that in mind.
• Oven notes on broiling salmon. Doneness with broiling can depend on the thickness/size of your salmon. Thicker/larger fillets may take additional time to cook through. You can check for salmon doneness using a temperature tool. The optimal internal temperature of cooked salmon should reach 145°F. Otherwise, simply check with a fork that the flesh is easily flaking.
• Prevent salmon from burning. It’s normal for a little sear/char to appear on the salmon flesh, but not an overwhelming amount. I haven’t encountered this issue when cooking in an air fryer, but if there is an excess of marinade left on the salmon when broiling, this may happen.
• Why broil salmon instead of baking? Great question! Broiling results in a faster cooking time, and also ensures the salmon sears/browns on the outside but keeps the inside moist and juicy. If you’re not going the air fryer route, broiling is a great alternative.
• Storing & reheating leftover miso salmon. Make sure the cooked salmon has cooled to room temperature, and then place them inside an airtight container. The cooked salmon fillets will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

This Miso Salmon, whew, talk about pure deliciousness that hits like a good nap does when ya need it. Be sure to tag @butterbeready in your BBR recipe creations, I sure love to see it when you do. Until next time! 🤟🏾

More main entree staples we love:

• Fried Cabbage and Sausage
• Jamaican Curry Chicken
• Miso Ginger Soy Salmon Rice Bowls
• Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Cream Sauce
• Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers
• Hibachi Steak Bowls

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