Miso‑Infused Salmon Recipes

Miso lends deep umami to salmon dishes. These recipes showcase the magic of miso in marinades, glazes and broths.

About Miso-Marinated Salmon

Miso-glazed salmon represents the perfect marriage of Japanese culinary tradition and modern cooking, where fermented soybean paste transforms ordinary fish into an umami-rich masterpiece. The miso marinade tenderises the salmon while infusing it with deep, savoury-sweet complexity that caramelises beautifully under high heat. This technique, popularised by renowned restaurants, is surprisingly simple to recreate at home.

Why Use Miso with Salmon?

Umami Depth: Miso's fermented complexity adds layers of savoury flavour that enhance salmon's natural richness without overpowering it.
Natural Tenderiser: The enzymes in miso gently break down proteins, resulting in exceptionally silky, tender fish.
Beautiful Caramelisation: The sugars in miso create a gorgeous golden-brown glaze that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Versatile Flavour Base: Miso pairs beautifully with ginger, sesame, mirin, and sake – creating endless marinade variations.
Authentic Japanese Technique: Master a classic preparation method (miso zuke) that's been perfected over centuries.

Miso Marinade Tips for Success

Choose White Miso for Beginners: Shiro miso is mild and sweet – perfect for first-timers. Yellow (shinshu) is stronger; red (aka) is boldest.
Marinate 2-24 Hours: Minimum 2 hours for flavour penetration; overnight for maximum tenderisation and depth.
Wipe Off Excess: Before cooking, gently scrape off most marinade with a spoon or spatula – thick miso burns easily under high heat.
Add Sweetness: Mix miso with mirin, sake, and a touch of sugar or honey to create the classic glaze balance.
Broil for Best Results: High oven heat (broiler setting) or very hot grill caramelises the glaze in 6-8 minutes without overcooking.
Don't Reuse Marinade: Raw fish contaminates the marinade – discard after use rather than converting to sauce.

Recipes

Miso Glazed Salmon

Rich and savoury miso glaze coats tender salmon fillets that are baked until caramelised.

Easy Salmon Ramen

A comforting bowl of ramen with tender salmon and a savoury miso broth.