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This easy Teriyaki Salmon is savory, sweet, slightly tangy and a guaranteed success no matter your skills in the kitchen. Salmon is a tender, flavorful fish, and when it’s paired with the rich flavors of brown sugar, soy, garlic and ginger, it’s sure to impress without you having to spend the whole day cooking.
While you can certainly bake or pan-sear salmon with teriyaki sauce, I prefer to let the air fryer make the process so much easier! Turn this tasty Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon into a full meal, simply toss some rice in the instant pot, sauté some broccoli or serve it with your favorite sides.
If you love salmon, try my Grilled Teriyaki Salmon, Honey Garlic Salmon Bites or Creamy Cajun Salmon.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Recipe
- It’s delicious. The top-notch reason to go for this meal is because it’s bursting with amazing flavors. This easy salmon teriyaki does not disappoint!
- It’s effortless. The second reason (and it’s a pretty close second) for picking a meal is how easy it is. This one’s a lifesaver for those hectic weeknights when you’ve got the whole gang to feed!
- It’s quick. And coming in at number three, is speed! No one wants to spend ages cleaning up after cooking. Handy gadgets like air fryers and instant pots make post-meal cleanup a breeze!
Teriyaki Salmon Ingredients
- Salmon filets: Salmon is the star of this dish. You can use fresh or frozen salmon filets. You may also substitute with other fish like trout or steelhead.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce provides the salty, savory base of the teriyaki sauce. You can use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer or substitute with tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a mild tanginess to the teriyaki sauce. You can substitute with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar in a pinch.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a depth of sweetness and helps to caramelize the sauce. You can substitute with honey, maple syrup, or white sugar for slightly different profiles.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is used for coating the salmon before air frying. You can substitute with vegetable oil, canola oil, or even cooking spray.
- Garlic: Minced garlic provides a rich, aromatic flavor. You can use fresh garlic cloves or garlic powder as a substitute.
- Ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a bright and zesty note to the teriyaki sauce. You can use ground ginger as a milder substitute.
- Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Adjust to taste, or use a low sodium option, if needed. Pay attention if your soy sauce is regular or low sodium as that will affect the saltiness as well.
- Ground black pepper: Pepper adds a subtle hint of spiciness. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for the teriyaki sauce. You can substitute with arrowroot powder or potato starch.
- Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds are used for garnish and add a nutty flavor. You can omit them if you don’t have any, or use other seeds like poppy seeds or chia seeds.
- Chives: Chopped chives add a fresh, onion-like flavor and vibrant green color as a garnish. You can substitute with green onions or skip if you don’t have any on hand.
How To Make Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
- Prepare the equipment. Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees F. Gather bowls.
- Prepare the fish and begin sauce. Use a kitchen towel to pat dry the salmon filets and set them aside.
- Marinate the salmon. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients to prepare the teriyaki sauce: soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon fillets in the bowl and pour approximately 3-4 tablespoons of the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture over them. Allow the salmon to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Finish the sauce. While the salmon is marinating, take the remaining sauce mixture and add a teaspoon of sesame seeds to a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a boil. In a separate bowl, create the cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and one-half tablespoon of water. Add this slurry to the sauce in the saucepan and continue boiling until the mixture thickens. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. Once done, let the teriyaki sauce cool down.
- Cook the salmon. Grease the air fryer basket and place the marinated salmon filets in it. Air fry the salmon for 6-8 minutes. Then, generously brush the salmon with the prepared teriyaki sauce and continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy! Once the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter and apply an additional layer of teriyaki sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds and fresh chives as garnish. Serve the teriyaki salmon alongside vegetables.
Tips To Make Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer
- Just like with an oven, it’s important to preheat your air fryer. This ensures that your salmon cooks evenly and develops a nice crust.
- Before air frying, coat the salmon filets with a little olive oil. This helps to prevent sticking and promotes a crispy exterior. Careful – too much will make the salmon soggy.
- Place the salmon filets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there is some space between them. This allows for even cooking and ensures that they crisp up nicely.
- Salmon cooks relatively quickly in an air fryer. Start with the recommended time in your recipe, but check for doneness a couple of minutes before it’s supposed to be done. You want it to be flaky and opaque but not overcooked.
- If you’re unsure about the doneness of your salmon, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees F.
- Once your salmon is done, sprinkle it with sesame seeds and chopped chives for added flavor and a visually appealing presentation.
- Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful bite.
- Feel free to experiment with additional flavors. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, some crushed red pepper flakes for heat, or even a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
- Teriyaki salmon pairs wonderfully with various sides like steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh salad. Consider these options to create a balanced and satisfying meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can bake or pan-sear the teriyaki salmon if you don’t have an air fryer. Adjust the cooking time and method accordingly, keeping in mind the salmon is done when the internal temperature is 145 degrees F.
Yes, you can use frozen salmon filets for this recipe. The salmon can be thawed ahead of time, but it isn’t necessary. Be aware, it will take a little longer to cook from frozen.
Yes, you can use store-bought teriyaki sauce to save time. Making your own teriyaki sauce from scratch simply allows you to control the ingredients and adjust the flavors to your liking.
Allow any leftover salmon to cool down to room temperature. Wrap the leftover salmon tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It can typically be kept for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes, checking periodically, until it’s heated through.
Fish can be sensitive to freezing and thawing, and the texture and flavor of the fish tend to change during the freezing process. That being said, with careful preparation you could freeze the salmon short-term by wrapping the fish in freezer paper and using freezer bags. Make sure the salmon is completely cooled and squeeze the air out of the bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat per instructions above.
Serve this with rice, noodles, Air Fryer Parmesan Asparagus, Sticky Sesame Cauliflower Bites or Crispy Bang Bang Cauliflower for a spicy kick.
More Teriyaki Recipes
- Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
- Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon Stir Fry
Teriyaki Salmon in air fryer is fresh, flavorful and easy to make in minutes. I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Salmon with Teriyaki Sauce recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
If you try this recipe and liked it, please leave a star rating and comment below. Use my hashtag to share it with me on Instagram so I can see your delicious recreations! Also, follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, 5 oz each
- ¾ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, divided
- 2 teaspoons chives, chopped, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Use a kitchen towel to pat dry the salmon filets and set them aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients to prepare the teriyaki sauce: soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Place the salmon filets in the bowl and pour approximately 3-4 tablespoons of the prepared teriyaki sauce mixture over them. Allow the salmon to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the salmon is marinating, take the remaining sauce mixture and add a teaspoon of sesame seeds to a saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium heat, bringing it to a boil.
- In a separate bowl, create the cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water. Add this slurry to the sauce in the saucepan and continue boiling until the mixture thickens. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. Once done, let the teriyaki sauce cool down.
- Grease the air fryer basket and place the marinated salmon filets in it. Air fry the salmon for 6-8 minutes. Then, generously brush the salmon with the prepared teriyaki sauce and continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes.
- Once the salmon is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter and apply an additional layer of teriyaki sauce on top. Sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds and fresh chives as garnish. Serve the teriyaki salmon alongside vegetables.
Notes
- Just like with an oven, it’s important to preheat your air fryer. This ensures that your salmon cooks evenly and develops a nice crust.
- Before air frying, coat the salmon filets with a little olive oil. This helps to prevent sticking and promotes a crispy exterior. Careful – too much will make the salmon soggy.
- Place the salmon filets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there is some space between them. This allows for even cooking and ensures that they crisp up nicely.
- Salmon cooks relatively quickly in an air fryer. Start with the recommended time in your recipe, but check for doneness a couple of minutes before it’s supposed to be done. You want it to be flaky and opaque but not overcooked.
- If you’re unsure about the doneness of your salmon, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of cooked salmon should reach 145 degrees F.
- Once your salmon is done, sprinkle it with sesame seeds and chopped chives for added flavor and a visually appealing presentation.
- Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful bite.
- Feel free to experiment with additional flavors. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, some crushed red pepper flakes for heat, or even a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.
- Teriyaki salmon pairs wonderfully with various sides like steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a fresh salad. Consider these options to create a balanced and satisfying meal.
