Need a weeknight dinner that’s fast but feels special? This Soy Sauce Fish is your answer. Salmon fillets are baked with a quick maple-soy glaze for sweet, salty, and savory perfection—plus a little garlic, ginger, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The result: tender, glossy salmon that disappears fast.
It’s simple, uses just a few ingredients, and is easy to customize—try it with other fish, swap honey for maple syrup, or even use the sauce on chicken. This is your new go-to for a meal that looks and tastes impressive with almost no effort.
Why You’ll Love This Soy Sauce Fish Recipe
- Super quick: 10 minutes prep, 15 minutes in the oven. Done.
- Effortless cleanup: Just marinate, bake, and serve. Minimal dishes.
- Crowd-pleaser: The sweet and salty combo makes salmon irresistible.
- Healthy & satisfying: Salmon is loaded with protein, omega-3s, and feels downright fancy.
- Great for meal prep: Tastes just as good the next day!
What Makes This Soy Sauce Fish So Good?
The magic is in the glaze—maple syrup for sweetness, soy sauce for salty umami, and a hit of garlic and ginger. The salmon marinates briefly, bakes up juicy, and gets finished with a sticky, reduced sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for crunch. So simple, so good!
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon fillets: Skinless works best for soaking up all that flavor.
- Light soy sauce: Classic salty, umami base.
- Pure maple syrup: Use the real stuff for the best flavor.
- Fresh ginger: Grated, for a zesty kick.
- Garlic: Minced, for depth and aroma.
- Salt & pepper: To taste.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Optional, for crunch and a little toasty flavor.
Pro tip: Don’t have maple syrup? Swap in honey or brown sugar. Want to use a different fish? Go for it—this sauce works on cod, trout, or even chicken!
For precise amounts, check the recipe card at the end of the post.
How to Make Soy Sauce Fish (Step-by-Step)
- Mix the marinade:
In a bowl, whisk together ¼ cup light soy sauce, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 inch grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
- Marinate the salmon:
Place 4 salmon fillets in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour in half the marinade, making sure the salmon is coated. Reserve the other half of the marinade for later. Marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- Prep for baking:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Bake:
Arrange the marinated salmon on the sheet (discard used marinade). Bake for 10–15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is just cooked through.
- Glaze and finish:
While the salmon bakes, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened. Spoon this sauce over the baked salmon, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve:
Plate it up with your favorite sides—steamed rice, a crisp salad, or roasted veggies. Spoon extra sauce over everything!
Tips for Perfect Soy Sauce Fish
- Don’t over-marinate: 15 minutes is enough! Longer and the fish starts to “cook” in the marinade.
- Watch your bake time: Salmon cooks quickly—keep an eye on it so it stays tender and moist.
- Want a little heat? Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade.
- Leftovers: Store in the fridge up to 2 days. Delicious cold or reheated gently in the microwave.
What to Serve With Soy Sauce Fish
- Steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
- Fresh spinach or cucumber salad
- Roasted asparagus or broccoli
- Crispy smashed potatoes
- A squeeze of fresh lime for a citrusy boost
FAQ
Absolutely! Just thaw completely and pat dry before marinating.
Honey or brown sugar work great.
Yes! Try it with trout, cod, halibut, or even chicken breasts.
It should flake easily with a fork and reach 145°F (62.8°C) internal temperature.
Soy Sauce Fish
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Sweet, savory, and perfectly glazed—this Soy Sauce Fish recipe features salmon baked in a simple maple-soy marinade. Ready in 25 minutes, it’s a weeknight dinner hero that tastes gourmet.
Ingredients
- 4 skinless salmon fillets (about 125g/4oz each)
- ¼ cup light soy sauce
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds, for topping
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Place salmon in a large bag or shallow dish. Add half the marinade, reserving the rest. Marinate for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Arrange salmon on the baking sheet. Discard used marinade.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, until salmon flakes easily.
- Simmer reserved marinade in a saucepan until slightly thickened. Spoon over baked salmon. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot.
Notes
Swap maple syrup for honey or brown sugar. Use cod or trout instead of salmon. Don’t over-marinate—15 minutes is perfect!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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