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What is the best pair for teriyaki salmon?


Teriyaki salmon is a popular dish that combines the rich, savory flavor of teriyaki sauce with the tender texture of salmon. When pairing teriyaki salmon, the goal is to choose sides that complement the sweet and salty flavors of the teriyaki glaze without overpowering the delicate taste of the salmon. There are many excellent options for side dishes that go well with teriyaki salmon, from classic pairings like rice and vegetables to more creative combinations. Ultimately, the best pairings will come down to personal taste. However, there are some key factors to consider when deciding what makes the ideal match for this flavorful fish dish.

What flavors pair well with teriyaki salmon?

The teriyaki glaze used to coat the salmon is a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, sake, ginger, and sugar. This creates a profile of sweet, salty, umami, and slightly spicy flavors. When choosing a pairing, you’ll want something that balances out the teriyaki rather than competing with it. Here are some flavor profiles that complement teriyaki salmon well:

  • Rice – The lightly sweet, starchy flavor of white or brown rice provides an excellent base for the salmon. Rice soaks up the teriyaki sauce beautifully.
  • Citrus – Bright, acidic flavors from lemon, lime, or orange zest help cut through the richness of the teriyaki.
  • Herbs – Fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, or parsley add a pop of freshness.
  • Vegetables – Crunchy, slightly sweet veggies like bell peppers, bok choy, or snap peas provide texture.
  • Spices – Ginger, sesame, garlic, and chili peppers echo the spices in the teriyaki.
  • Salty – A salty side like soy beans, miso soup, or edamame complements the saltiness of the soy sauce.
  • Creamy – The unctuous texture of avocado, sour cream, or mayonnaise cools down the spice.

Focusing on sides that have one or more of these flavor elements will result in a well-balanced meal where the teriyaki salmon can shine as the star.

Best Vegetable Pairings

Vegetables make a healthy, light pairing option for teriyaki salmon. Crunchy, fresh veggies add great texture contrast and provide nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some of the top vegetable contenders:

Asparagus

Asparagus is a classic pairing with salmon. The crisp spears have a subtle grassy flavor that doesn’t compete with the teriyaki but adds freshness. Asparagus also contains vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate.

Try roasting or grilling the asparagus to add charred flavors that complement the seared salmon. A spritz of lemon right before serving brightens up the taste.

Broccoli

Like asparagus, broccoli has a pleasant bitter taste and firm crunchy texture when raw or lightly cooked. It contains antioxidants like vitamins C and E. Florets or broccoli slaw provide visual appeal and pair nicely when served under or alongside the glazed salmon fillet.

For a more exciting flavor, try charring the broccoli to mellow out the bitterness. Adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds or red pepper flakes also boosts the flavor profile.

Snap Peas

Sweet snap peas are a great way to add color to the plate while complementing the sweetness of the teriyaki. You can serve them raw with a dipping sauce or lightly sauteed to soften them up. Their sweet, crisp taste balances out the strong umami flavors.

For extra flavor, toss the snap peas with a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic or ginger before sauteing. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

Bell Peppers

The sweet, slightly grassy taste of bell peppers makes a refreshing pairing for rich teriyaki salmon. They add crunch and beautiful color. Try thin slices of red, yellow, or orange peppers raw, grilled, or sauteed.

You can also stuff halves of bell pepper with the salmon and teriyaki rice for a creative presentation. Top with sliced green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch.

Best Starch Pairings

Starchy sides are classic pairings with salmon to soak up the teriyaki sauce. They add substance to the dish while complementing the sweet glaze. Here are stellar options:

Rice

You can’t go wrong pairing salmon teriyaki with a bowl of steaming rice. Plain white or brown rice soaks up all the delicious sauce and provides the perfect blank canvas for the flavorful fish.

For a twist, try sushi rice seasoned with rice vinegar and toss with sesame seeds. Or make coconut rice with a splash of coconut milk for more richness. Fried rice or rice pilaf studded with vegetables are also excellent options.

Quinoa

Quinoa provides a high-protein, gluten-free alternative to rice. It has a pleasantly chewy texture and very mild, nutty flavor that won’t compete with the salmon. Toss cooked quinoa with diced mango or pineapple for a fresh, fruity twist.

Couscous

Couscous is made from small, toasted durum wheat semolina balls that create a light, fluffy texture perfect for soaking up sauce. Pearled couscous has an especially mild taste. Serve it drizzled with a bit of olive oil and chopped herbs.

Soba Noodles

Japanese soba noodles made from buckwheat flour pair beautifully with teriyaki sauce. They have a soft, resilient texture and earthy, nutty flavor. Cook them al dente and toss with sliced scallions. The noodles sop up excess sauce.

Roasted Sweet Potato

For a lower-carb option, try roasted sweet potato wedges or slices. The natural sweetness complements the teriyaki glaze. Add cinnamon, cumin, or chili powder to spice them up. Roasted potatoes develop a crispy edge and soft interior.

Best Protein Pairings

While vegetables and starches are classic pairings, you can also serve teriyaki salmon with a secondary protein. This adds satisfying heft to make it more of a main dish.

Tofu

Tofu is a plant-based option that takes on the flavor of teriyaki sauce beautifully. Fried or baked tofu cubes add protein without much flavor on their own. They soak up the sauce and add fun texture contrast to the tender salmon.

Chicken

For a surf-and-turf pairing, add some grilled or sauteed chicken alongside the salmon. Chicken breast or thighs only need simple seasoning like salt and pepper to complement, not compete, with the star of the show.

Shrimp

Sauteed shrimp is another stellar pairing option. Shrimp cooks quickly and has a mild, slightly sweet taste. Choose plump shrimp and cook until just pink and opaque. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a squeeze of lime.

Edamame

Edamame is a popular Japanese bar snack made of soybeans. They have a sweet, earthy taste and firm-soft texture when steamed or boiled in the shell. Sprinkle with sea salt before serving. They provide an extra boost of plant-based protein.

Eggs

For breakfast or brunch, pair your teriyaki salmon with fried, poached, or scrambled eggs. The rich creaminess offsets the bold salmon flavors. Soft boiled eggs on top of rice with salmon is also a stellar combo.

Most Popular Pairing Combinations

Now that we’ve covered individual options, here are some of the most popular tried-and-true pairings for teriyaki salmon:

Salmon Teriyaki with Rice and Asparagus

A bed of fluffy white or brown rice with sauteed asparagus spears on the side is a simple classic pairing. The rice soaks up sauce while the asparagus offers crisp, herbal contrast. A squeeze of lemon brightens the plate.

Salmon Teriyaki Bowls

Build a hearty rice bowl with sauteed vegetables like carrots, bell pepper, spinach, and edamame. Top with the salmon and drizzle over extra teriyaki sauce for a satisfying meal in a bowl.

Salmon Teriyaki Bento Box

A Japanese bento box makes a fun, balanced meal. Fill compartments with salmon teriyaki, white rice, pickled vegetables, tamagoyaki rolled omelette, fruit, and a light salad.

Salmon Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps

Use large lettuce leaves like bibb or iceberg as low-carb wrap vessels for the salmon and rice. Top with avocado, radish, cucumber, or other fresh garnishes for crunch.

Salmon Teriyaki Noodle Bowl

Ramen, udon, or soba noodles in broth make an easy one-bowl dinner. Top with teriyaki salmon, boiled egg, seaweed sheets, scallions, and chili oil for flavors that pop.

Salmon Teriyaki Tacos

Warm corn or flour tortillas and fill with flaky salmon, cabbage slaw, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a spritz of lime juice. The creaminess offsets the teriyaki’s saltiness.

Cedar Plank Salmon Teriyaki

For maximum flavor, cook the salmon on a cedar wood plank on the grill or in the oven. Serve with charred lemon halves and your choice of crunchy vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.

Conclusion

Teriyaki salmon deserves accompaniments with flavors that enhance, rather than overwhelm, the dish. Starchy components like rice or quinoa soak up sauce and provide satiating carbs. Fresh, crunchy vegetables add texture and brightness. Creative combinations like salmon teriyaki tacos or lettuce wraps put a fun twist on the classic pairing. At the end of the day, trust your personal preferences to decide what sides make the perfect match for succulent salmon with a sweet and salty teriyaki glaze.