This recipe for miso butter salmon is so special due to its delightful blend of flavors and textures. The umami of the miso paste paired with the creaminess of grass-fed butter create a perfect flavor profile to be paired with a tender, flaky salmon fillet. Beyond this recipe being downright delicious, it’s also packed with health benefits, making it a popular choice for those who want both a tasty and nourishing meal.
Miso butter salmon may look elegant and upscale (and taste that way, too!), but it’s extremely easy to make. Even if you’re not much of a cooking expert, you can create this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen in 15 minutes.
What makes this recipe even more remarkable is its nutritional value. Salmon itself is a great source of protein, high in omega-3 fatty acids, and low in carbs. Miso is also very nutritious — since it’s a fermented condiment, miso may help improve your digestion, gut health, and support probiotics. While you’re enjoying the extraordinary taste of this dish, you are giving your body a major boost.
Here’s everything you need to know about this nourishing, mouth-watering recipe.
Ingredients Needed for Miso Butter Salmon
To create this addictive dish, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients:
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Wild-caught sockeye salmon, coho salmon, or king salmon.
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Cooking oil: for pan-searing the salmon.
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Rich, unsalted grass-fed cow butter: stored at room temperature for easy blending.
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1 to 2 tablespoons of white miso paste: to add that umami flavor to your butter — potentially more if you have a knack for saltier flavors.
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The zest of half a lemon: contributes a zesty brightness to the dish and balances out the creaminess of the butter.
What Sides to Serve with Miso Butter Salmon
We’ve chosen steamed broccoli florets to serve next to our miso butter salmon. Other side pairings that work well with this dish would be cauliflower rice, soba noodles, or a cucumber salad. Anything light and fresh will pair beautifully with this recipe.
How to Cook Salmon with Miso Butter
The first step to creating any salmon dish is selecting a salmon that highlights the flavors of your recipe. For this creamy, umami-packed recipe, Sockeye salmon and coho salmon are the perfect fillet choices due to their leanness, while both lean and rich fillets of king salmon are enhanced by the miso butter. Sockeye salmon has a more rich flavoring, while coho and king maintain a more delicate taste. Any choice is an excellent option for grilling or pan-frying. These fillets will flake off into perfect, tender bites.
After 10 minutes of preparation, your salmon only needs 5 minutes in the pan to finish cooking. Pan-frying your salmon with this recipe will add a crispiness to the exterior of your fish while keeping the inside tender, making it our favorite choice for this luxurious recipe.
Cooking Pro Tips for Miso Butter Recipe
To make this meal truly perfect, we have a list of actions you can take in the kitchen to really elevate your dish — and make your time in the kitchen that much easier.
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Carry-over cooking: Your salmon will always finish cooking on the plate. Leave room for that in your cooking process when checking if your salmon is done while it’s in the pan still.
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Dry your salmon: Patting your salmon dry before seasoning will allow for a better sear and crust to form during your cooking process.
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Prepare in advance: Miso butter can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you have a busy schedule, preparing this in advance can cut your total time in the kitchen in half.