Easy Oven Baked Teriyaki Salmon: Quick, Delicious, and Nutritious!

Let’s dive into salmon! It’s definitely one of our top fish picks. It’s super versatile, really filling, and packed with protein, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids, all of which are great for your heart and brain. However, most people don't cook it at home for various reasons but mostly because they are a bit intimidated by salmon.

Oven Baked Teriyaki SalmonPhoto byThyme of Season

Here is an easy way to prepare salmon at home and you can whip it up with simple ingredients. This oven baked teriyaki salmon is a delicious, easy and nutritious protein ready in no time that your family will totally enjoy!

Ingredients you will need:

4 salmon fillets weighing 6 to 8 ounces each (or 1 1 1/2-pound center-cut side of salmon*)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons soy sauce (you can use low-sodium for less salt content or tamari for gluten free version of this recipe)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Kosher salt to taste
Chopped chives or green onion for garnish
Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions for this Recipe:

1. Place the rack in the center and upper third of your oven and preheat to 400° F.

2. Line a baking dish large enough to hold the salmon in an even layer with aluminum foil (a 9×13-inch baking dish works well; you can also use parchment paper, but only if your paper is broiler safe, you will need to skip the boiling step). Use a paper towel to pat the salmon dry, then arrange the pieces down the center of the baking dish so that they are not touching.

3. In a small bowl or larger liquid measuring cup with a spout, combine the maple syrup, soy sauce, oil, ginger, and black pepper. Drizzle 3/4 all over the top of the salmon. Rub or brush to coat the salmon evenly with the sauce. With a spoon, scoop some of the glaze that collects in the bottom of the pan over the top of the salmon. Reserve the remaining sauce.

4. Bake the salmon for 6 minutes, then with a spoon, baste again with the sauce that’s collected in the pan. Continue baking until the salmon is almost cooked through at the center, about another 5 minutes for 1-inch fillets; if your salmon is thicker or thinner, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

5. Drizzle the reserved glaze over the salmon and place on the upper third rack. Turn the oven to broil and let cook until the salmon reaches 140° F on an instant-read thermometer for medium salmon (or cook all the way to 145°F for well done), about 1 to 2 minutes more.

6. Note that the salmon’s temperature will rise as it rests. When done, salmon should flake easily with a fork.

Let rest a few minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice as desired.

Helpful Recipe Tips

1. Make sure not to overcook the salmon. Use an instant read thermometer to check if it's done at 145 degrees Fahrenheit . We prefer to remove it a bit early and let it finish cooking while resting.

2. Opt for pure maple syrup instead of pancake syrup for the best flavor. If you don't have maple syrup, try making a honey teriyaki salmon.

3. Leave the skin on when cooking salmon. It helps prevent drying out. Plus, it's easy to remove as you eat.

Storing and Reheating Suggestions

Store - It's ideal to enjoy salmon on the day it's prepared. But if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Reheat - Allow the salmon to reach room temperature as you heat a skillet on the stove over medium-low to medium heat. Carefully warm up each portion with a bit of water, covering the skillet. Once the salmon is heated through (which usually takes just a few minutes), it's ready to be served.

Side Note - Reheating salmon could cause it to have a slightly fishier flavor than when you first baked and served it. You should also avoid reheating salmon in the microwave, as this can dry it out and make it smell fishy.

What to Serve with Oven Baked Teriyaki Salmon

You can serve just about any side dish with this teriyaki salmon. You can also make a delicious rice bowl with it too. Here are a few suggestions to enjoy with this dish:

Jasmine Rice with Peas

Miso Lemon Sugarsnap Peas with Pistachios

Cacio e Pepe Risotto