A pan seared salmon recipe that’s crispy on the outside and flakey and moist on the inside then finished with a Japanese yuzu garlic butter sauce that’s impossible to resist! Cooked to perfection and ready in under 12 minutes!
This is one of our most popular salmon recipes! It’s a fool-proof way to cook delicious and healthy salmon fillets.
This isn’t a regular salmon recipe, what makes it so tasty is It’s finished with a Japanese style buttery yuzu garlic sauce, that compliments the natural salmon flavors perfectly.
This Japanese salmon recipe cooks up fast and with little fuss so you’ll be making it over and over again!
What is Japanese Style Seared Salmon?
Salmon fillets are seared on a cast iron pan until crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside. It’s drizzled with a Japanese style yuzu garlic butter sauce.
The main ingredients for this dish are most likely already in your pantry especially if you’re familiar with Japanese cooking, so there’s no reason to wait to make this healthy, delicious and gluten-free dish!
What kind of salmon should I use for this recipe?
Fresh or frozen salmon fillets sliced about 1 inch thick with the skin on or off work best for this recipe.
Should I season the salmon before searing?
Season the salmon lightly with salt and pepper before searing for best results.
Does this seared salmon recipe require a marinade?
This seared salmon recipe does not require a marinade. A little salt, pepper and yuzu sauce is all you will need for this amazing dish.
What is yuzu sauce?
Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that is highly fragrant and extremely tart. Fresh yuzu is hard to find which is why we use bottled yuzu found in most Asian grocery stores. If you do not have yuzu, you can also substitute it for lemon juice.
What sides go well with Japanese style seared salmon?
- Miso Soup
- Steamed Vegetables
- Side Salad
- Bowl of Cauliflower Rice with Fresh Lemon Juice
What is the nutrition information for this Japanese seared salmon recipe?
- 328 Calories
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 0g Fiber
- 23g Protein
- 26g Fat
- 92mg Cholesterol
- 380mg Sodium
- 556mg Potassium
- 14mg Calcium
- 1mg Iron
- 425ui Vitamin A
- 1mg Vitamin C
Do you have any tips on making this Japanese style seared salmon recipe?
- Resist the urge to move/flip/check the salmon when searing until at least 2 minutes.
- Don’t overcook salmon to ensure it is moist on the inside.
- Bring the heat up to temp on the pan before searing.
- Use a high temp neutral cooking oil such as safflower, vegetable, peanut or sunflower oil for searing.
- Use a large pan that can hold heat well. Cast iron works best but a frying pan can be used as well.
- Serve with rice of choice or some cauliflower rice for a healthy low carb option.
Do you have any other salmon recipes I can try?
- Teriyaki Salmon Bowl with Cauliflower Rice
- Pan Seared Salmon with Hollandaise Sauce
- Salmon Bacon Chowder
- Salmon Risotto
- Sesame Ginger Salmon Carpaccio
Now, let’s get making this Japanese Style Seared Salmon recipe!
- Prepping Time 8M
- Cook Time 4M
- Total Time 12M
- Net Carb/Serv ~1g
- Servings 2
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1/2 lb Salmon Fillet (we prefer skin on, but up to you)
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp High Temp Neutral Cooking Oil
- 1/2 Stalk Green Onion
Sauce
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Pat down any juice on salmon with a paper towel and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly on both sides of the fillet. Cut into 2 vertical slices about 1 inch width and set aside.
3) Place butter in a small mixing bowl and melt in microwave (about 20-30 seconds but this will vary on your microwave).
4) Grind garlic with a grinder or garlic press and place into melted butter along with Soy Sauce and Yuzu. Mix well and set aside.
5) Cut green onions into thin slices and set aside.
6) Add oil into cast iron pan and place on high heat. Once the oil starts to lightly smoke, reduce heat to medium-high and carefully place salmon fillets into cast iron pan skin down (please note oil will splatter so take precautions). Cover and cook for 2-2.5 minutes (1.5-2 minutes for skinless). Note – when searing, don’t move the meat.
7) After searing one side, carefully flip the salmon to the other side, cover and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Carefully transfer salmon to a serving plate when done. Note – the salmon will be very fragile so make sure to support the bottom.
8) Lightly drizzle garlic butter sauce and sprinkle chopped green onion over salmon.
Hope you enjoy your Japanese Style Seared Salmon!
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Japanese Style Seared Salmon
Ingredients
Salmon
- 1/2 lb Salmon Fillet we prefer skin on, but it's up to you
- 1/8 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp High Temp Neutral Cooking Oil
- 1/2 Stalk Green Onion
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Clove Garlic
- 1/8 tsp Yuzu
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Pat down any juice on salmon with a paper towel and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly on both sides of the fillet. Cut into 2 vertical slices about 1 inch width and set aside.
- Place butter in a small mixing bowl and melt in microwave (about 20-30 seconds but this will vary on your microwave).
- Grind garlic with a grinder or garlic press and place into melted butter along with Soy Sauce and Yuzu. Mix well and set aside.
- Cut green onions into thin slices and set aside.
- Add oil into cast iron pan and place on high heat. Once the oil starts to lightly smoke, reduce heat to medium-high and carefully place salmon fillets into cast iron pan skin down (please note oil will splatter so take precautions). Cover and cook for 2-2.5 minutes (1.5-2 minutes for skinless). Note - when searing, don't move the meat.
- After searing one side, carefully flip the salmon to the other side, cover and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes. Carefully transfer salmon to a serving plate when done. Note - the salmon will be very fragile so make sure to support the bottom.
- Lightly drizzle garlic butter sauce and sprinkle chopped green onion over salmon.
Video
Nutrition
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