Ina Garten’s Bold Asian Grilled Salmon Recipe for Dinner

Her Asian-inspired salmon transforms ordinary seafood into an extraordinary culinary experience that will tantalize your taste buds.

Marinades often define the success of grilled fish, and this particular recipe elevates the protein with bold, complex flavors.

Ina Garten understands how strategic ingredients can dramatically enhance a simple protein’s profile.

Each component brings depth and character to the salmon, creating a harmonious balance between sweet, salty, and umami notes.

The marinade’s carefully selected ingredients work together to infuse the fish with remarkable complexity.

Home cooks appreciate how straightforward techniques can produce restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

This recipe demonstrates that gourmet cooking doesn’t require complicated procedures or expensive equipment.

Prepare to impress dinner guests with a dish that looks sophisticated yet remains wonderfully accessible:

New Twists on the Asian Grilled Salmon Theme

• Citrus Zest Salmon: Enhance the marinade by adding fresh lemon or orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that complements the rich salmon.
• Honey Ginger Glaze: Replace part of the soy sauce with honey and add grated fresh ginger to create a sweet and spicy coating that caramelizes beautifully on the grill.
• Smoky Maple Version: Swap some olive oil with maple syrup and add a dash of smoked paprika to introduce a deep, rich smokiness to the salmon's flavor.
• Herb-Infused Option: Mix in fresh chopped herbs like dill, cilantro, or parsley into the marinade to bring a fresh, green note that lightens the dish's overall taste.

One Last Bite of Grilled Goodness

Grilled salmon becomes a culinary masterpiece through Ina Garten’s artful Asian-inspired technique.

Marinades unlock profound flavor dimensions for simple fish preparations.

Charcoal grilling imparts smoky nuances that elevate this protein-packed dish.

Delicate salmon transforms under precise heat management and strategic seasoning.

Fresh ingredients create remarkable dining experiences with minimal complex steps.

Garten’s approach beckons kitchen adventurers to embrace bold international flavors – spark conversation, share this recipe, and inspire fellow cooking enthusiasts to explore new culinary horizons.

Why Ina Garten’s Asian Grilled Salmon Is So Popular

• Savor Bold Asian-Inspired Flavors: The marinade blends garlic, soy sauce, and mustard, creating a punchy, umami-rich taste profile that transforms ordinary salmon into an extraordinary dish.
• Master Effortless Grilling Technique: This recipe simplifies seafood cooking with straightforward steps, allowing even novice cooks to achieve perfectly grilled salmon with minimal culinary expertise.
• Enjoy Versatile Serving Options: Whether served hot off the grill, at room temperature, or chilled, this salmon adapts to different meal scenarios and preferences, making it ideal for casual dinners or elegant gatherings.
• Experience Quick and Healthy Meal Prep: With just 10 minutes of marinating and roughly 10 minutes of grilling, you'll have a nutritious, protein-packed meal that's ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or weekend entertaining.

Ingredients for This Flavor-Packed Salmon

• Salmon: Fresh, wild-caught salmon with rich flavor and omega-3 benefits, preferably center-cut for even cooking.

• Garlic, Olive Oil, Soy Sauce, Mustard: Classic Asian-inspired flavor combination providing depth, tanginess, and moisture to the salmon.

• Charcoal Briquettes, Cooking Oil: High-heat fuel for perfect grill marks and preventing salmon from sticking to the rack.

How to Grill Salmon the Ina Garten Way

Step 1: Prepare The Grill

Light charcoal briquettes and brush the grilling rack with oil to prevent salmon from sticking. Ensure the grill reaches medium-high heat.

Step 2: Prepare Salmon Pieces

• Slice lengthwise
• Cut crosswise into four equal portions

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Fresh garlic
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Dijon mustard
• Whole grain mustard

Pour half the marinade over salmon and let it marinate for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Grill With Precision

• Skin side down
• Discard original marinade
• Grill for 4-5 minutes
• Flip once using a wide spatula
• Grill additional 4-5 minutes

Step 5: Rest And Finish

Spoon remaining marinade over grilled salmon

Let salmon rest for 10 minutes on a flat plate

Remove skin before serving

Step 6: Serve Deliciously

• Straight from the grill
• At room temperature
• Slightly cooled

Grilling Tips for Asian-Inspired Fish

• Master the Marinade: Let the salmon soak in the Asian-inspired flavors for at least 10 minutes, but don't exceed 30 minutes to prevent the fish from becoming too salty or breaking down.
• Nail the Grill Prep: Thoroughly oil the grill rack before cooking to ensure the delicate salmon doesn't stick and falls apart when you try to flip it.
• Skin-Side Savvy: Grilling the salmon skin-side down helps protect the delicate flesh and creates a wonderfully crispy exterior that adds incredible texture to the dish.
• Rest and Relax: Allowing the grilled salmon to rest for 10 minutes helps the juices redistribute, ensuring each bite is moist, tender, and packed with flavor.
• Temperature Trick: Use a meat thermometer to check that the salmon reaches 145°F at its thickest point, guaranteeing it's perfectly cooked without becoming dry.

Store Leftover Salmon Without Losing Flavor

• Vacuum Sealing: Protect salmon's quality by using a vacuum sealer. Eliminate air exposure completely, preventing freezer burn and preserving delicate flavors and textures. Pack salmon portions individually for easy future meal planning.
• Flash Freezing: Spread salmon pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before final freezing. Separate each piece to prevent sticking and ensure uniform freezing. This technique maintains the salmon's original moisture and prevents clumping.
• Marinade Storage: Reserve a small portion of unused marinade separately in a sealed glass container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, ready for quick flavor enhancement or future marinades. Always keep marinade away from raw fish to prevent cross-contamination.

Ina Garten Asian Grilled Salmon Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Asian Grilled Salmon brings elegant Pacific flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil create a perfect marinade that elevates this classic fish dish, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on (about 3 pounds / 1.36 kilograms)

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic

Oils:

• 6 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare the grill by coating the rack with oil and igniting charcoal briquettes to create a non-stick surface for the salmon.
2. Divide the salmon fillet into four equal portions by first cutting it lengthwise and then crosswise while the grill heats up.
3. Create a flavorful marinade by whisking together minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, low-sodium soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and whole grain mustard in a small mixing bowl.
4. Coat the salmon pieces thoroughly with half of the prepared marinade, allowing them to marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature.
5. Position the salmon fillets on the hot grill, skin side down, discarding the used marinade to prevent cross-contamination.
6. Grill the salmon for 4 to 5 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillet), carefully monitoring the cooking process to prevent overcooking.
7. Flip the salmon once using a wide spatula and continue grilling for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, understanding that the center might remain slightly translucent.
8. Drizzle the reserved marinade over the grilled salmon and transfer the fillets to a clean serving plate, maintaining the skin-side down orientation.
9. Allow the salmon to rest for 10 minutes, which helps the fish complete its cooking process and retain moisture.
10. Serve the salmon at your preferred temperature – hot, room temperature, or slightly chilled, remembering to remove the skin before eating.

Notes

• Catch the freshest wild-caught salmon from local markets or sustainable fisheries for the best flavor and texture.
• Customize the marinade with your favorite herbs like dill, thyme, or rosemary to add personal flair and depth.
• Check salmon’s doneness by gently pressing the thickest part – it should flake easily and appear opaque throughout.
• Select high-quality olive oil with a robust flavor to enhance the marinade’s overall taste profile.
• Master the grill temperature to ensure perfectly cooked salmon without drying out the delicate fish.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg