Teriyaki Salmon

In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced ginger, and garlic until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil. Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the salmon.

Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Carefully place salmon fillets skin-side up in the pan (or presentation side down if skinless) and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them. The salmon should develop a beautiful golden-brown crust before flipping. Flip the fillets using a fish spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Reduce heat to medium-low and brush the cooked salmon generously with the teriyaki sauce using a basting brush. Let the sauce caramelize on the fish for 1-2 minutes, creating a beautiful glossy coating. Flip the salmon once more and brush the other side with sauce, allowing it to glaze for another minute. Remove the pan from heat and let the salmon rest for 2 minutes to allow the glaze to set and the fish to finish cooking with residual heat.

Transfer the glazed salmon to a serving platter and drizzle with any remaining teriyaki sauce from the pan. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for color, texture, and authentic flavor. Serve immediately while hot alongside steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete meal. The combination of the perfectly seared salmon with its sweet and savory glaze creates an restaurant-quality dish that's both elegant and satisfying, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions when you want something delicious but quick to prepare.