Korean Grilled Salmon with Doenjang
Quick answer
- Total time
- 27 min
- Level
- Easy
- Servings
- 2 servings
- Ingredients
- 8
About this dish
Yeoneo doenjang gui features salmon fillets coated in a sweet and savory doenjang glaze.
Read more
The earthy umami of doenjang pairs with honey to balance the rich fats of the salmon, while lemon juice cuts the oiliness for a clean finish. To prepare the dish, salmon is patted dry with paper towels so the glaze coats the fish evenly. A mixture of doenjang, gochujang, honey, garlic, sesame oil, and lemon juice forms the glaze. Two-thirds of this mixture is brushed onto the salmon to marinate for ten minutes. The fish is cooked skin-side down in a pan over medium-low heat for four minutes. Once turned, the remaining glaze is brushed on, and the salmon is cooked for three to four minutes until the glaze sets and the center is moist. Finely sliced scallions are added before serving.
Ingredients
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Season
Pat 300 g salmon dry thoroughly with paper towels, then cut it into 2 portions.
Press along the skin side as well, because extra surface moisture thins the glaze and keeps it from coating evenly.
- 2Prep
Mix 1.5 tablespoons of doenjang, 0.5 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of honey, garlic, sesame oil, and lemon juice until no doenjang lumps remain.
- 3Season
Brush two-thirds of the glaze thinly over the top and sides of the salmon.
Avoid a thick layer, which can burn before the fish cooks, and marinate for only 10 minutes so the seasoning penetrates lightly.
- 4Control
Preheat a pan or grill over medium-low heat, then place the salmon skin-side down.
Leave it undisturbed for about 4 minutes so the skin firms up and the glaze sets instead of smearing.
- 5Season
Turn the salmon carefully, then brush the remaining glaze thinly over the top.
Cook 3 to 4 minutes more, stopping when the surface looks glossy and the center is still moist, not dry or flaky throughout.
- 6Finish
Turn off the heat and let the salmon sit for 1 minute so the residual heat evens out the doneness.
Top with 1 finely sliced scallion and serve immediately, before the glossy glaze dries on the surface.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Yeoneo-doenjang-gui balances the richness of grilled salmon with a deep doenjang glaze and lemon.
- Finish cue
- Top with 1 finely sliced scallion and serve immediately, before the glossy glaze dries on the surface.
- Avoid this
- Avoid overcooking salmon; stop when the center is still moist.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official cooking and food safety guidance.
This recipe
27min, 8 ingredients
Category median
32min, 8 ingredients
Based on 173 recipes
Use-up ingredient planner
Turn these ingredients into two more meals
The overlap excludes basic seasonings. Open the next recipe and your selected dishes will stay with you.
Korean Gochujang Butter Grilled Salmon
salmon fillet, honey
Soy-Garlic Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti
honey, scallion
Korean Steamed Eggplant Namul
scallion