Description
Gochujang salmon became one of the most-saved recipes on the internet because it delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort — a sticky, sweet-and-spicy glaze made from Korean chili paste that caramelizes under the broiler into something deeply savory and slightly charred. Four ingredients in the glaze, fifteen minutes in the oven, and you have a piece of fish that looks and tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each, skin-on)
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with oil.
- Whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil until smooth.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and place skin-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt.
- Brush a generous layer of the gochujang glaze over the top and sides of each fillet, reserving a tablespoon for finishing.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily — it should still be slightly translucent in the center for the best texture.
- Switch to broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes to caramelize the glaze. Watch carefully — it goes from caramelized to burned quickly.
- Brush with the remaining glaze, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over steamed rice.
Notes
- Gochujang varies in heat between brands — taste yours before mixing the glaze and adjust the maple syrup up if it is very spicy.
- The broiler step is what makes this dish. The glaze needs direct, intense heat to caramelize properly. Skip it and you miss the best part.
- Pull the salmon at 125°F internal for medium — the residual heat will carry it to 130°F, which is perfect for moist, flaky fish.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Korean-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 16
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Protein: 36
- Cholesterol: 80