Miso Butter Salmon (10-Minute Prep!)

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This miso butter salmon is a simple yet super flavorful dish, combining buttery richness with a savory miso kick – perfect for those nights when you want something a little extra.

Feeling a little lazy but still want something WOW for dinner? ‘Fast prep yet tasty’ dishes are my favorite! As time goes by, I find myself working smarter, not harder in the kitchen because my days are so full. But, as you know, I’ll never compromise on taste.

So, since my 30s, I’ve been focusing on making more and more quick-prep but flavorful meals, like my Jeyuk Bokkeum (Korean spicy pork), Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken, or Dakbokkeumtang (spicy Korean chicken stew) – each of which requires a maximum of 20 minutes to prep.

What is miso butter?

Miso butter is a delicious blend of creamy butter and savory miso paste, creating a rich, umami-packed spread that’s both slightly salty and super satisfying. It’s like a flavor bomb that you can use in so many ways:

• Top your proteins – spread it over grilled or roasted salmon, chicken, or steak for an extra burst of flavor.
• Boost your veggies – toss it with steamed or roasted veggies to take them to the next level.
• Pasta perfection – melt it into hot pasta for a quick and tasty sauce.
• Bread upgrade – use it as a unique spread for bread or toast.
• Soup secret – stir a dollop into soups for a deeper, more complex flavor.

You can even get creative and mix in extras like lemon juice, sriracha or herbs to suit your taste. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself using miso butter on everything! : )

Ingredients

• salmon fillets – for this recipe, I usually use narrower but thicker salmon fillets rather than larger, flatter ones. If you’re using larger, flatter fillets, you might want to decrease the cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes.

• black pepper
• green onions – garnish the cooked salmon with the green part of green onions. This step is optional.
• sesame seeds – sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the cooked salmon for added texture and flavor. This step is optional.

miso butter

• miso paste – I use white miso paste, but you can also use yellow or red miso paste if you prefer

• unsalted butter – use unsalted butter to avoid making the mixture too salty, as the soy sauce already adds saltiness to the marinade
• honey – honey adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the miso paste.
• soy sauce – adds savory depth and enhances the overall flavor
• garlic – crush the garlic with a garlic press to release more juice and flavor
• ginger – adding ginger to miso butter introduces a fresh, zesty kick that brightens the rich, creamy texture of the butter
• sesame oil – sesame oil enhances the flavor with a nutty aroma
• dried parsley – optional for garnish. You can also use fresh parsley if you prefer

How To Make this miso butter salmon?

1. Prepare the miso butter – In a mixing bowl, combine miso paste, softened butter, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil and parsley. Mix well until you have a smooth, creamy miso butter. Set aside.

2. Preheat the oven – Preheat your oven to 400°F / 200°C.
3. Marinate the salmon – Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season with black pepper. Place the salmon fillets in an oven dish.
4. Spread a generous amount of the miso butter over each salmon fillet. Allow the salmon to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step helps the miso butter firm up, preventing it from melting too quickly during cooking.
5. Bake in the oven – Bake for 10 minutes or until the salmon is cooked to your desired level of doneness and flakes easily with a fork (Note 1).
6. Garnish and serve – Remove the salmon from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish.
7. Serve the miso butter salmon with your choice of sides like steamed rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.

Variations

1. Spicy miso butter – add sriracha or red pepper flakes for a kick.
2. Citrus miso butter – incorporate lemon or lime zest and juice for a tangy twist.
3. Garlic-lemon miso butter – boost garlic and add lemon zest for a zesty flavor
4. Add some herb – mix in fresh herbs like dill or basil for a fresh flavor.

What to serve with this salmon?

Miso butter salmon pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables or sautéed greens. You can also serve it with noodles, pickled vegetables, miso soup, mashed potatoes, or a refreshing cucumber salad for a balanced meal.

How To Store and freeze?

You can store miso butter in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. To freeze, portion and wrap it, then place in a resealable bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Emma’s Tips

• Refrigerate the salmon before cooking – chilling the salmon helps the miso butter firm up, preventing it from melting too quickly during cooking
• Cook in the oven – baking the salmon in the oven takes a bit longer than pan-frying but allows the miso butter to stay mostly on top, whereas pan-frying can cause it to melt away
• Room temperature butter – Make sure the butter is softened to mix smoothly with the miso and other ingredients
• Don’t overcook – keep an eye on the cooking time. Salmon is best when it’s moist and flaky, so avoid overcooking
• Adjust cooking time – thicker fillets will need more time, while thinner ones will cook faster—adjust accordingly

More salmon recipes

• Easy Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl
• Salmon Fried Rice
• Salmon and Spinach Quiche
• Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake

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