Ginger-Soy Salmon Bites

(6)

These ginger-soy salmon bites are perfectly cooked under the broiler and finished with a sweet ginger glaze. These poppable bites are an ideal appetizer for a get-together with friends, or turn them into a main dish by serving them alongside veggies or as part of a grain bowl.

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
6

Whether you’re looking for an appetizer for a dinner party or a protein to top your salad, these Ginger-Soy Salmon Bites fit the bill. Tender salmon gets hints of sweet acidity from a marinade with mirin and lemon, then is draped in an umami-forward ginger-soy glaze. The sesame oil and sesame seeds add a toasty warmth to these healthy-fat-filled poppable bites. Keep reading for cooking success tips to ensure your salmon bites stay tender and moist.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Marinate the salmon in an airtight container for up to 1 day in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. 
  • Use center-cut salmon to get chunkier, even-sized pieces, which will help prevent it from drying out.
  • Refrigerate the cooked salmon bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • Using mirin in a marinade adds flavor, browning and caramelization due to its sugars. It’s an easy way to get the right coloring without risking a burnt sugar taste.

Nutrition Notes

  • Salmon is a heart-healthy fatty fish loaded with omega-3s and antioxidants. It’s a great source of protein and vitamin B12 and is one of the few food sources of vitamin D. Evidence suggests that eating salmon supports heart health and reduces inflammation. 
  • While soy sauce doesn’t contribute much to the nutritional profile of this dish, it definitely adds that salty, umami flavor. It also adds a hefty dose of sodium, so if you’re watching your sodium intake, choose a reduced-sodium soy sauce or use coconut aminos, which are similar in taste to soy sauce. If you need to avoid gluten, you’ll want to swap the soy sauce out for coconut aminos, Bragg Liquid Aminos or tamari. 
  • Honey is considered an added sugar, but it’s an all-natural sweetener that may have some health benefits—partly because it contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. There is evidence that honey may help alleviate cold symptoms (like a nagging cough) and act as a prebiotic for your beneficial gut bacteria.
  • Besides adding a warm zing to this dish, ginger also brings with it anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to soothe a queasy stomach and reduce arthritis pain.
the ingredients to make the Ginger Soy Salmon Bites

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided

  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon mirin

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 pound center-cut skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

  • 2 teaspoons thinly sliced chives

Directions

  1. Whisk 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, mirin and garlic powder in a medium bowl until smooth. Add salmon pieces; mix until well coated. Set aside to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.

    a step in making the Ginger Soy Salmon Bites

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

  2. Meanwhile, position oven rack 4 inches from heat source; preheat broiler. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.

  3. Arrange the salmon pieces on the prepared pan; discard any remaining marinade. Broil until cooked through and browned around the edges, about 6 minutes.

    a step in making the Ginger Soy Salmon Bites

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

  4. Meanwhile, combine honey, water, ginger and the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbling and slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.

  5. Brush the ginger-soy mixture over the salmon pieces. Transfer the salmon pieces to a platter; sprinkle with sesame seeds and chives.

    a recipe photo of the Ginger-Soy Salmon Bites

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 4 salmon bites

Calories 163, Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 57mg, Carbohydrates 7g, Total sugars 6g, Added sugars 6g, Protein 17g, Fiber 0g, Sodium 259mg, Potassium 279mg

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use a different kind of fish?

    Absolutely. Substitute the salmon with black cod, shrimp or red snapper.

  • What can I serve with salmon bites?

    Some of our favorite pairings include coleslaw, our Easy Cilantro-Lime Rice, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, roasted veggies or a salad.

  • What is the best way to reheat salmon bites?

    While you can reheat salmon bites in an air fryer or oven, the microwave would be the quickest and easiest. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Microwave them on Medium in short intervals, about 1-2 minutes, until they’re heated to your liking.

EatingWell.com, July 2024

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a freelance writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm

Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications, such as Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines, and has edited cookbooks for Dovetail Press and The Taste Curators.

Related Articles