How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container or wrapped well in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator. The fish should be good for 3 to 4 days, but the longer it's stored, the more likely the flavor and texture will degrade. For best results, enjoy it sooner rather than later and reheat it in the oven at 275°F for about 15 minutes.

What is gochujang, and what makes it spicy?

This popular chili paste from Korea is made with glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, salt and red chile pepper flakes. It is available in Asian markets and online, and it may be found at some grocery stores in the international foods aisle. The paste has five heat levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot.

What can I do with a container of gochujang?

A tub or jar of gochujang can last a long time because you don't need to use much of it. Easy ways to use it up include adding it to meat marinades and dips, soups or stews, stir-fries and vegetable dishes.

Can I replace the spinach with another green vegetable?

Absolutely. We chose spinach because it goes well with broiled salmon and serves as a good base, but you can also use any other greens you prefer. They might take a bit longer to cook, though.

What pairs well with gochujang salmon?

A side of kimchi would go well, as would brown rice , white rice or cauliflower rice . You can always round out the meal with a side salad, too.

Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach

Name: Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons gochujang; 1 tablespoon mirin; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari, divided; 1 tablespoon honey; 1.5 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided; 4 cloves garlic, grated, divided; 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger; 1.25 pounds salmon, preferably wild-caught, cut into 4 portions; 8 cups baby spinach; Sesame seeds & sliced scallions for garnish

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Dairy-Free Heart-Healthy High-Protein Egg-Free Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

This Gochujang-Glazed Salmon with Garlic Spinach recipe gives this omega-3-rich fish a spicy twist. Gochujang brings an earthy heat that pairs perfectly with tangy mirin, toasty sesame oil and sweet honey, while tamari adds a touch of umami. Spicy garlic and warm ginger add even more layers of flavor. The tender glazed salmon sits on a bed of antioxidant-rich spinach that gets a garlicky flavor boost. Keep reading for expert tips, including how to ensure quick and easy cleanup after you eat.

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!

For the best results, remove the salmon from the broiler when its temperature reaches between 125°F-135°F. This is because the temperature of the fish will continue to rise 3 to 5 degrees after removing it from the oven.
Properly cooked salmon should register at 145°F on an instant-read thermometer, and the flesh should easily flake with a fork and be a little translucent.
We prefer the sweet vinegar taste of mirin, but a good substitute is dry sherry or Marsala wine.
Adding ginger to the marinade enhances the flavor and masks any fishiness of the salmon.

Nutrition Notes

Salmon is perhaps best known for its brain- and heart-healthy omega-3 content. But that's not all salmon offers. This fatty fish is also an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12 and minerals—including selenium, iodine and potassium. Salmon is one of the few food sources of vitamin D, a vitamin that works with calcium and other nutrients to build strong bones. Wild-caught salmon even contains the antioxidant astaxanthin, which may help reduce inflammation.
Spinach adds to the antioxidant count in this dish. It also provides a host of other nutrients, including iron, vitamins A, C and K and small amounts of the minerals potassium and magnesium. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin in spinach support healthy vision.
Besides contributing its signature flavor, garlic is also linked to strengthening the immune system and lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Garlic acts as a prebiotic, providing food for your beneficial gut bacteria—which improves the health of your gut.

Gochujang is a Korean red pepper paste. It typically contains Korean red chile flakes, barely malt, sweet/sticky rice flour, fermented soybean powder and salt. Eating spicy foods has been linked to some pretty cool health benefits (pun intended!), including a healthier heart, reduced blood pressure and living longer.

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons gochujang
1 tablespoon mirin
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari, divided
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, grated, divided
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 ¼ pounds salmon, preferably wild-caught, cut into 4 portions
8 cups baby spinach
Sesame seeds & sliced scallions for garnish

Directions

Position a rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.
Whisk gochujang, mirin, 1 tablespoon tamari, honey, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil, 1/4 of the garlic and ginger in a small bowl. Pat salmon dry and place skin-side down on the prepared pan. Brush the salmon with the glaze. Broil until the salmon is just cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the remaining 3 cloves garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and just starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted and the pan is dry, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon tamari.
Serve the salmon over the spinach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers should be placed in an airtight container or wrapped well in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator. The fish should be good for 3 to 4 days, but the longer it's stored, the more likely the flavor and texture will degrade. For best results, enjoy it sooner rather than later and reheat it in the oven at 275°F for about 15 minutes.
What is gochujang, and what makes it spicy?

This popular chili paste from Korea is made with glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, salt and red chile pepper flakes. It is available in Asian markets and online, and it may be found at some grocery stores in the international foods aisle. The paste has five heat levels, ranging from mild to extremely hot.
What can I do with a container of gochujang?

A tub or jar of gochujang can last a long time because you don't need to use much of it. Easy ways to use it up include adding it to meat marinades and dips, soups or stews, stir-fries and vegetable dishes.
Can I replace the spinach with another green vegetable?

Absolutely. We chose spinach because it goes well with broiled salmon and serves as a good base, but you can also use any other greens you prefer. They might take a bit longer to cook, though.
What pairs well with gochujang salmon?

A side of kimchi would go well, as would brown rice, white rice or cauliflower rice. You can always round out the meal with a side salad, too.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

282	Calories
11g	Fat
13g	Carbs
30g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 4 oz. salmon & 3/4 cup spinach
Calories 282
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g	5%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 4g	8%
Protein 30g	60%
Total Fat 11g	14%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 78mg	26%
Sodium 510mg	22%
Potassium 713mg	15%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by

Carrie Myers, M.S.