Miso Butter Salmon with Crispy Rice
Umami-rich miso butter melts over perfectly cooked salmon, served on a bed of rice that is crispy on the bottom and fluffy on top.
Main Dish · Prep 10 min · Cook 15 min · Serves 2 · Easy · By Tina · Published
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, skin-on, about 180g each
- 2 tbsp white miso paste
- 30 g butter, softened
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 2 cups cooked rice, day-old works best
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil, for rice
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
This dish happened by accident. I was trying to use up leftover rice and had some miso paste that needed using. The combination turned out to be one of the best things I have ever made.
Miso and butter together is pure umami magic. Brush it on salmon, broil for 10 minutes, and you get this caramelized, deeply savory glaze that is absolutely addictive. The crispy rice underneath — inspired by tahdig and Korean nurungji — adds this amazing crunchy texture that soaks up all the buttery miso juices.
This is a 25-minute dinner that tastes like you spent an hour. It is elegant enough for a date night but easy enough for a tired Tuesday.
Pro Tips
- Use white miso (shiro) for a milder, sweeter flavor. Red miso works but is more intense.
- For the crispy rice, press cooked rice firmly into an oiled nonstick pan. Do not touch it for 8-10 minutes on medium heat.
- Broil the salmon on high, 6 inches from the element. Watch it like a hawk — miso burns fast.
- Let the salmon rest 2 minutes. It keeps cooking.
Serving
Place crispy rice on the plate, salmon on top, drizzle with any pan juices. Scatter sliced green onions and sesame seeds. A quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar on the side.
More main dish recipes
- Miso Glazed Cod (Easy · 12 min · serves 4)
Caramelized, umami-rich, and utterly elegant. Miso glazed cod is one of those dishes that feels incredibly… - Mississippi Pot Roast (Easy · 480 min · serves 8)
An incredibly tender, tangy, and buttery slow-cooker pot roast made with just five ingredients. This viral… - Moroccan Chickpea Stew (Easy · 30 min · serves 4)
A warm, spiced stew with chickpeas, sweet potato, and a mountain of fresh herbs. This is the one-pot lunch… - Moroccan Lamb Tagine (Medium · 120 min · serves 6)
Aromatic, sweet, and deeply satisfying. This Moroccan tagine fills your kitchen with the most incredible warm… - Mushroom and Thyme Risotto (Medium · 30 min · serves 4)
Creamy, earthy risotto with deeply caramelized mushrooms and fresh thyme. Yes, it requires stirring. Yes, it… - Mushroom Risotto (Medium · 30 min · serves 4)
Creamy, earthy, and pure comfort in a bowl. Good risotto takes patience — but honestly? Those 30 minutes of…