If you’re anything like me, busy weeknights demand dinner that’s both ridiculously fast and absolutely packed with flavor. I spent ages looking for satisfying keto options that didn’t taste like diet food. That all changed the first time I tasted the deep, savory goodness of miso! I still remember the night I whipped up this Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon for friends right after starting keto. The way that sweet and savory glaze caramelized under the heat? Wow! It instantly became my go-to, teaching me that nutrient-dense meals don’t have to be boring. As The Keto Performance Chef, I promise this recipe is about to become your new favorite quick broiled fish staple. I hope you love this little taste of umami joy as much as my friends did that first night!
If you’re looking for more fast ideas, check out my guide to quick keto dinners!
Why This Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon Recipe Works for You
I get it—your time is precious, but you still want meals that taste amazing and keep you on track. This miso salmon recipe is designed specifically for you! It skips the fussy steps so you can enjoy incredibly bold flavor fast. Honestly, it’s a lifesaver on a busy Tuesday.
- Quick Broiled Fish: Ready in Minutes: Seriously, prep takes just five minutes, and it’s on your plate in under 15 total. That timing is perfect for weeknight satisfaction!
- Japanese Inspired Dinners Made Simple: You get that complex, savory flavor that usually requires long marination times, but we achieve it right under the broiler. It tastes fancy, but it’s ultra-simple.
- Keto-Friendly Flavor Bomb: That deep umami from the miso makes this one of the most satisfying, low-carb meals you’ll ever make. It really cures those cravings!
Essential Ingredients for Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Okay, you know I’m all about keeping things simple, especially when we are talking keto meals that need big flavor, fast. The magic in this miso salmon recipe really comes down to using just a few powerhouse ingredients to create that incredible depth of taste. Trust me, the glaze components look short, but they pack such a punch!
These are the core building blocks for your dinner tonight. If you’re looking for other easy, minimal-ingredient ideas, I have a whole list of my favorite 5-ingredient dinners you should check out!
For the Miso Glaze: Building Umami Rich Meals
This is where we capture that amazing umami! You need to grab your red miso paste first—it’s deeper and richer than the white kind, which is perfect for broiling.
- 2 tablespoons red miso paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (For strict keto folks, this is a tiny amount, but I’ve had success substituting it with a zero-carb liquid sweetener equivalent, just so you know!)
- 2 teaspoons tamari or dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot chili sauce, such as Sriracha (Adjust this to your personal spice preference!)
For the Salmon Fillets
We are using skinless salmon fillets here because we want maximum glaze coverage on top, which is how we get that beautiful crust when we broil. Precision matters for that perfect 8-to-10-minute cook time!
- 4 skinless salmon fillets (About 6 ounces each and aim for them to be roughly 1 1/4 inches thick for the best results)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Miso Salmon Recipe
This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s so fast you’ll find yourself making this miso salmon recipe way more than you intended! Remember, since we are broiling, high heat works quickly to cook the salmon through while caramelizing that gorgeous glaze. The key here is organization; have everything ready to go before you even think about turning the heat on. Less time fussing means more time eating!
Looking for even more super-speedy meals? Check out my guide on dinner ideas ready in under 20 minutes!
Preparing the Broiler and Baking Sheet
First things first, we need to get that heat up! Preheat your broiler to high. This is non-negotiable for achieving that quick crust and perfectly cooked quick broiled fish. Once the broiler is ready, grab your baking sheet. Line it completely with foil or parchment paper. Trust me on the lining—cleanup is basically zero afterward, which is the dream after a long day.
Creating the Perfect Miso Glaze for Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Now, let’s build those layers of flavor in a small bowl. You need to whisk everything together until it’s completely smooth. Pay special attention to that red miso paste. Miso likes to hang out in little clumps, so I always use a little back-and-forth whisking motion until I can’t see any grainy bits left. We want one unified sauce ready to coat that fish!
Glazing and Broiling the Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Place those beautiful salmon fillets right onto your prepared baking sheet. Brush that rich miso glaze evenly across the top portion of each piece. A generous coating is what we want here. Then, slide that tray right under the broiler element. This is the crucial part: watch it like a hawk! Broil it for about 8 to 10 minutes. Don’t walk away. The sugar in the glaze burns fast. When the glaze is bubbly and maybe slightly charred in places, and the salmon flakes easily, it’s done. If you love the technique, you can see how Jacques Pépin approaches it over at The Kitchn!
Expert Tips for Perfect Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
When you’re aiming for maximum flavor impact in minimal time, a few little tricks can separate a good dinner from the absolute best dinner. Since we are using a super-hot broiler, technique matters a ton! I learned these lessons the hard way, especially that first time my glaze turned to black smoke because I dared to look away for one second!
Adjusting Glaze Thickness and Broiler Distance
Your broiler is a powerful tool, but they are all a little different, right? If your broiler sits really close to the rack, the glaze will cook down and start burning much faster—we’re talking 6 minutes instead of 10 minutes fast! If you notice the glaze looking too thick or pasty before it even hits the oven, just shake in a few drops of water or, even better, a couple of extra drops of rice vinegar. That little bit of acid thins it perfectly and brightens the flavor profile, ensuring you get that lovely, slightly sticky coating instead of a hard shell.
Ensuring Even Cooking for the Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Salmon fillets are rarely cut with perfect uniformity, so you often end up with thicker ends and thinner middle sections. This is where you need to think like a chef! If you have one end that is noticeably thicker than the others, try positioning that end slightly closer to the broiler element when you slide the tray in. That seems counterintuitive, but since the thickest part takes the longest to get hot, a little extra radiant heat upfront helps everything finish cooking at the exact same time. It’s all about balancing that beautiful caramelized exterior with a center that flakes perfectly.
Health Benefits of Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
As someone deeply focused on performance and staying keto on busy days, I love that this miso salmon recipe is loaded with goodness that supports my goals! It’s not just about eating clean; it’s about getting serious nutrition from every single bite. This dish is a fantastic powerhouse meal wrapped in a delicious Japanese inspired dinner package.
The salmon, of course, is the star when it comes to heart health. Those rich Omega-3 fatty acids? They are absolutely essential for keeping my energy levels steady and supporting brain function all day long. Eating fatty fish like this regularly makes such a difference when you are trying to maintain a clean, nutrient-dense diet.
And let’s talk about the miso! Miso is a fermented soybean paste, which means it brings fantastic probiotics into the mix. Probiotics are so important for gut health, and frankly, they make you feel great overall. It’s rare to find a quick broiled fish preparation that gives you healthy fats and gut support in one go. That fermented goodness really ramps up the flavor while doing good things for your insides. See? Flavorful eating supporting your health goals!
Serving Suggestions for Your Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Now that you have this intensely flavorful miso salmon recipe sitting hot on the plate, you might be wondering what to serve alongside it. Because the glaze is so rich and packed with umami, we really only need simple, clean sides to balance the whole experience. This makes it an absolute winner for quick nights when you want to enjoy Japanese inspired dinners but don’t have time for complex assembly.
I always lean toward balancing the meal with bright green vegetables. You want something that won’t compete with that amazing miso flavor, but instead, gives your palate a nice little reset between bites of rich salmon.
Keto-Friendly Side Dishes
When sticking to keto, the world of starches is off the table, but trust me, the vegetable world opens up with incredible textures and tastes that pair perfectly with this miso glazed broiled salmon.
- Steamed or blanched broccoli rabe or asparagus tossed lightly with sesame oil. That little bit of bitterness cuts right through the sweetness of the glaze beautifully.
- If you’re craving something creamy, a small bed of cauliflower rice seasoned only with salt and pepper won’t weigh down the meal.
- For something with a little more savory punch—because why not?—my absolute favorite pairing is my Garlic Butter Mushrooms. They soak up any extra glaze drippings on the plate!
- If you want something green and slightly crunchy with some cheese? You cannot go wrong with my Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan. It just brings everything together.
Seriously, the beauty of this dish is its starring role. Keep the sides quiet, focus on fresh textures, and let that incredible umami shine!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Miso Salmon
Even though this miso glazed broiled salmon is so good you’ll be tempted to eat all four fillets yourself, sometimes you have leftovers! Good news: this fish keeps pretty well, but you absolutely need to handle the reheating process correctly, or you’ll end up with dry, sad fish, and we can’t have that after all that flavor work!
Once the salmon has cooled down completely—and this is important, never put warm food straight into the fridge—get it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator. I find that the leftovers stay perfectly good for about two days tops. After that, the texture starts to get a little compromised, even with the glaze.
When it comes time to reheat this quick broiled fish, put the microwave away. I know it’s tempting because it’s fast, but the microwave always turns beautifully broiled fish rubbery. We want to preserve that delicate flake!
Here are my absolute favorite ways to bring this back to life:
- The best method is the air fryer, if you have one! Set it to a low power around 300°F (150°C) for just 3 to 5 minutes. It gently warms the fish and reheats the glaze without cooking it further.
- If you’re using a regular oven, wrap the portion loosely in foil—this traps the steam—and warm it at a low temperature, maybe 325°F (160°C), for about 8 minutes. You’re just looking to warm it through, not cook it more!
Doing it this way means you get that delicious, umami rich meals experience all over again, even on Day Two!
Frequently Asked Questions About Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
It’s funny how often people ask me about swapping ingredients when they make one of my favorite Japanese inspired dinners! This miso salmon recipe is so flexible if you know which rules you can bend. I’ve gathered up the top questions I get asked below so you can feel 100% confident making this delicious dinner tonight.
Can I use white miso instead of red miso in this miso salmon recipe?
Oh, absolutely you can! Red miso is my go-to for that deep umami flavor, but white miso works beautifully too. Just know that white miso paste is generally milder and a touch sweeter than the red kind. If you use white miso, you might want to dial back your maple syrup just a tiny bit, or taste the glaze before you brush it on. It’s still a fantastic option for a quick broiled fish!
What if I don’t have a broiler? Can I bake this quick broiled fish?
Yes, don’t panic if your broiler isn’t cooperating! You can totally bake this. I suggest setting your oven to about 400°F (200°C). Because you are losing the intense direct heat from the broiler, you’ll need a little more time—plan for about 12 to 15 minutes total. You are looking for that same visual cue: the glaze bubbling and the salmon flaking easily when you test a piece in the center. You can find tons more advice just like this on my main recipe index page!
Is this recipe truly keto-friendly if it uses maple syrup?
That’s a super important question, especially since I want all my keto friends eating safely! For most people, the small amount used in this 4-serving recipe is negligible, but for the strictest keto adherence, I highly recommend swapping that tablespoon of maple syrup for a zero-carb liquid sweetener equivalent, like liquid monk fruit drops or liquid stevia. It keeps the texture mostly the same while keeping the carbs out. It’s a tiny tweak, and it keeps this firmly in the world of amazing umami rich meals that support your goals!
Share Your Umami Rich Meals Experience
Now that you’ve made this incredible Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon, I’m dying to know how it turned out for you! Seriously, seeing your results—especially those perfectly caramelized glaze spots—is the best part of my week. This community thrives on sharing these quick wins and flavor discoveries!
Did you try that trick of moving the thicker end closer to the heat source? Or maybe you found the absolutely *perfect* low-carb substitute for the sweetener? Don’t keep those secrets to yourself!
Please take a moment to shoot me a quick rating below. If you have any little tweaks or if you paired it with a side dish that was just divine, leave a comment!
And if you took a picture of your beautiful, flavorful umami rich meals creation, I’d love to see it over on social media! Tag me so I can cheer you on. If you need to reach out with specific questions that aren’t covered here, you can always use my handy contact form.
Thanks so much for trying out this fast, flavor-packed dinner. Happy cooking!

Miso Glazed Broiled Salmon
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the red miso paste, maple syrup, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, and hot chili sauce until the mixture is smooth.
- Place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the miso glaze evenly over the top surface of each salmon fillet.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler. Broil for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. The glaze should bubble and the salmon should flake easily when done.
- Remove the salmon from the broiler and serve immediately.
