Elevate weekday meals with these top 5 Asian salmon marinades! Easy recipes to bring Asian-inspired flavours to the dinner table.
Salmon is one of my favourite proteins! hen it comes to seasoning, I’m a huge salt, pepper and olive oil girl – simplicity is best to bring out the delicious salmon. For times for when I crave some variety, these are the top five Asian salmon marinades I would turn to! Best of all, they are all freezer-friendly, especially useful when you come across cheap fresh salmon in bulk.
Why You’ll Love These Asian Salmon Marinades
- Bold Asian flavours in a pinch: Zesty, aromatic, and incredibly versatile. They turn salmon into a canvas for diverse taste experiences, from sweet and tangy to spicy and savoury.
- Quick and easy: Perfect for those busy days when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
What Salmon to Use
Fresh, high-quality salmon fillets or steaks are great, but frozen salmon will work well here too.
In these recipes, I indicated 1 serving of salmon fillet, which should be about 180g to 200g (6-7 oz.) each. For more servings, all you need to do is multiply the measurements. Adjust the cook time according to the thickness of the salmon fillets as well.
What to Marinade Salmon In
Any airtight meal prep containers will work well, otherwise ziplock bags will work too. These are my top options:
- Plastic Containers: Freezer-friendly, lightweight clear plastic containers that are stackable are my top option (I’ve been using my Tupperwares for the longest time for this).
- Glass Containers: They are heavier and a little bit more fragile than plastic containers, but they clean out very easily. I use this especially when working with ingredients that stain easily, such as turmeric powder.
- Casserole/Baking Dish: This is another favourite of mine; when it’s time to cook, I can just pop it straight in the oven.
- Reusable ziplock bags: These are easy to use, flattens to stack and can save a lot of space in your fridge or freezer.
See my Amazon Storefront for a curated list of my recommendations!
Salmon Marinade Components
Here are the key components that make a fantastic salmon marinade:
- Acid: Acidic flavours just pair well with seafood! Citrus juices (like lemon, lime, or orange) or vinegar, or wine tenderise the salmon and add brightness to the seafood flavour profile. They can also help break down the proteins, allowing the marinade to penetrate the fish. Note that too much acid might make the salmon texture mushy instead of flaky when cooked, but the flavours will not be affected at all!
- Salt: Soy sauce, tamari, or even salt itself not only adds saltiness but also helps in flavour absorption and enhances the natural taste of the salmon.
- Oil: Olive oil, sesame oil, or other oils provide richness, help in even coating, and prevent the fish from sticking to the cooking surface.
- Flavour and Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, onions, shallots, herbs, or spices add depth, complexity, and aromatic notes to the marinade.
My Top 5 Asian Salmon Marinades
- Teriyaki Glaze: A classic Japanese-inspired marinade, rich in sweet umami flavours from soy sauce, mirin, and ginger, creating a glossy caramelised finish on salmon.
- Bang Bang Salmon: A fusion of creamy and spicy notes from mayonnaise, sriracha and honey, for tangy and subtle fiery layers to the fish.
- Vietnamese Lemongrass: A vibrant blend of fish sauce, sugar garlic, and fragrant lemongrass, infusing the salmon with refreshing citrusy and herbal hints.
- Sesame Soy Ginger: Featuring soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger and vinegar, it balances savoury, nutty, and tangy notes for an aromatic and well-rounded dish.
- Thai Chili Garlic Lime: Zesty and spicy, this marinade combines lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, offering a refreshing citrus kick with lots of heat to the salmon.
How to Cook Marinated Salmon
The best methods to cook all of these salmon recipes would be by air frying or baking in the oven:
- Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/350°F. Place the marinated salmon on a lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Place the marinated salmon on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Grilling or Pan-Frying can work too, but will take a bit more effort and care.
- Grilling: Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the salmon for about 4-5 minutes per side until it easily flakes with a fork.
- Pan-Searing: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add a bit of oil, and sear the salmon for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked.
Need More Marinade Inspiration? Check out my top 5 Asian Chicken Marinades!
Top 5 Asian Salmon Marinades
Course: Air Fryer, Asian, Dinner, Easy Weeknight, Oven Baked, Recipes, Seafood1
servings10
minutes20
minutesIngredients
- Teriyaki Glazed
1 salmon fillet (about 180g/6oz.)
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tsps brown sugar
1 tsp mirin
1 tsp rice vinegar/apple cider vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
1/4 tsp salt and pepper, to taste
- Bang Bang Salmon
1 salmon fillet (about 180g/6oz.)
1 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp sriracha
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
- Vietnamese Lemongrass Salmon
1 180g/6oz. salmon fillet
1 stalk lemongrass, minced
½ shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp fish sauce
1 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp vegetable oil
- Sesame Soy Ginger
1 180g/6oz. salmon fillet
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
- Thai Chilli Garlic Lime
1 salmon fillet (about 180g/6oz.)
1 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp lime juice
Zest of lime (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Thai bird’s eye chilli, minced
1 tsp vegetable oil
Directions
- Pick a marinade to make. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, except for the salmon fillets. Mix to combine.
- Place chicken to your marinating container of choice. Pour over the marinade and mix to evenly coat.
- Allow to marinade for at least 5 minutes, or overnight. If freezing, store immediately in the freezer.
- Cook salmon according to your favourite cooking methods:
Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/350°F. Place the marinated salmon on a lined air fryer rack and air fry for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Place the marinated salmon on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
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