Sesame Salmon

4.83 from 17 votes
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Sesame salmon served with a cold rice noodle salad. Crunchy cabbage and carrots tossed in a delicious honey-lime dressing. A light, healthy meal loaded with lean fish protein and exotic Asian flavors.

Sesame salmon with rice noodle salad.

Sesame salmon is a new favorite healthy meal at the Gavin House. I’ve started up a tradition to make Monday nights all about salmon, so I am always looking for new recipes to mix things up each week. Why? It’s fast, healthy and versatile.

To make this a quick meal, I use a high-temperature oven broiling method to cook the fish in minutes and give it a nice crust.  The Asian-inspired flavors come together for this sesame salmon recipe by serving it with a crunchy rice noodle salad that will leave you asking for more.

How to broil salmon

I love making my broiled salmon recipe, I know it by heart and can probably make it blindfolded. To switch it up, I’ve added some savory Asian ingredients with fresh flavors. Using the simple broiling technique of dry heat cooking, salmon can be prepared in endless recipe options.

Sesame salmon served on a bed of cold rice noodle salad in a black bowl.

Preparing salmon for broiling

The most efficient way to broil salmon is to cut them into individual filets, about 4 to 6 ounces in size so that the heat has more surface area to cook the sides and top at the same time. It’s up to you if you want to keep the skin on or remove the skin during boiling.

I find that sometimes it’s easier to cook with the salmon skin on to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Always broil on a foil-lined sheet pan that has been greased to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.

Cook time

Typically I would recommend broiling the salmon about 6 to 7 inches away from the heat source, however since I don’t want the seeds to burn on the sesame salmon, it’s cooked in the lower middle of the oven. Keep a careful eye as you get closer to the end of cooking because the high accumulated heat can overcook the fish if not monitored.

Salmon is ready when just opaque in the center and the flesh easily separates. How long to broil salmon depends on the size and thickness of the fish, about 15 minutes per pound (thicker pieces may also need longer cook time). The time it takes to prepare these filets are 8 to 10 minutes since the pieces are cut into smaller portions.

Large salmon filet with black and white sesame seeds on top.

Sesame seeds

To build layers of flavor on the salmon, I drizzle with a honey-lime glaze before broiling. This also helps the white and black sesame seeds stick to the fish for extra flavor and crunchy texture! The sesame seeds are toasted to bring out the rich aromatics from the essential oils in the seeds.

The sesame seeds are finely puréed with soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and olive oil into a savory and pungent dressing for the noodle salad. This way you get the wonderful sesame seed flavor infused throughout each bite.

Rice noodles

I use thin rice noodles for this recipe to keep it on the lighter side. It’s all about bright colors, cooling vegetables and wonderful fresh crunch with each spoonful. Thanks to the triple C trifecta; cucumbers, carrots, and cabbage this combo is a texture champ! The rice noodles provide a light heartiness to the dish, but it’s there to soak up all of the yummy sesame dressing.

More seafood recipes you might like

Recipe Science

What is the difference between broiling and baking?

The fundamental difference in broiling food versus baking is the time it takes to cook and texture of the fish. They are both dry-heat cooking methods. Broiling uses very hot radiant heat from a source above the food which can maintain temperatures of around 550°F. Cooking the salmon pieces in under 10 minutes with more of a caramelized crust if glazed, or spiced crust if using a dry blend. Baking temperatures can range between 170°F to 500°F depending on your settings, which surrounds the food through convection cooking and takes longer for the fish to cook to the interior by conduction, almost double the amount of time depending on the thickness of the fish.

Sesame Salmon with Rice Noodle Salad

Sesame salmon served with a cold rice noodle salad. Crunchy cabbage and carrots tossed in a delicious honey lime dressing.
4.83 from 17 votes
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Entree
Cuisine Asian

Ingredients  

Sesame Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 4 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Rice Noodle Salad

  • 3 ounces rice noodles
  • 1 cup cucumbers, thinly sliced, seeds removed, 4-inch long slices or spiralized
  • 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced or spiralized
  • 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 2 green onions, stalks thinly sliced on a bias for garnish

Salmon

  • kosher salt, as needed
  • black pepper, freshly cracked, as needed
  • 24 ounces salmon fillets, four 6-oz pieces, skin removed
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 teaspoons sesame seeds, for topping (2 tsp black and 2 tsp white seeds)

Instructions 

Sesame Dressing

  • Toast sesame seeds in a small frying pan over medium heat, until light golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  • Blend the toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and olive oil together until thick and creamy, about 1 minute on high setting.
  • Pour into a small container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Rice Noodle Salad

  • In a medium-sized pot, boil noodles uncovered for about 3 minutes, or until tender. Do not over cook. Noodles may become too soft and mushy.
  • Drain immediately and transfer noodles to a colander.
  • Rinse noodles with cool water for a few seconds and allow excess water to drain.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the sliced cucumbers, carrot, red cabbage and cilantro.
  • Add 2 cups of the cooked noodles to the bowl, and gently toss to combine. Set aside while you prepare the salmon.

Salmon

  • Set oven to “broil” and allow to heat while you prepare the salmon.
  • In a small bowl, combine the honey and lime juice together. Set aside.
  • Place the salmon fillets on a large foil-lined baking sheet lightly coated with oil to prevent sticking, and sprinkle fillets with salt and pepper.
  • Drizzle the honey lime sauce over each piece of salmon.
  • Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds, or enough to cover the top of each fillet.
  • Cook in the preheated oven on the lower-middle shelf, for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked, the flesh is flaky but not dry, and the sesame seeds are lightly toasted.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Notes

  • To Serve: Remove the sesame dressing from the refrigerator and stir to combine if needed. Add to the rice noodle mixture and toss until evenly coated. Place equal portions of the rice noodle salad in the center of 4 plates. Top noodle salad with a piece of salmon and garnish with green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serves: 4 servings
Calories 387kcal (19%)Carbohydrates 35g (12%)Protein 37g (74%)Fat 12g (18%)Saturated Fat 1g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 83mg (28%)Sodium 621mg (26%)Potassium 239mg (7%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 19g (21%)Vitamin A 6250IU (125%)Vitamin C 28.9mg (35%)Calcium 40mg (4%)Iron 0.7mg (4%)

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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8 Comments Leave a comment or review

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Thank you, Kelsey! Love hearing that the salmon will be added to your meal rotation. Happy cooking!

  1. Linda P says

    I was excited to find this recipe. I’m even more excited to say how much I enjoyed making this dish. Tastes deeeeelicious! Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you for sharing. Just posted and shared with everybody, LOL!

  2. Alexandra says

    Beautiful recipe! I just made it for dinner and really enjoyed it. Sharing it with everyone I know. Thank you for creating and posting it!

  3. Leslie hoffman says

    I just discovered you! I look forward to many of your recipes, Jessica. I’m going to make this salmon dish for a party this week (my friends all know that I love to experiment on them!). What can be made in advance tomorrow for Thurday party?

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Welcome, Leslie! You can make the dressing, just shake it up really well before serving. You can also chop the vegetables the day before. I would make the noodles and salmon the day of serving.

  4. Mary Beth Einerson says

    Thanks for the inspiration. I had some leftover rice noodles, salmon and all of the rest in my cupboard and fridge. I did make the dressing with a splash of toasted sesame oil instead of the whole seeds but did add the black and white seeds to the top of my poached (didn’t want to turn on the oven) salmon. A lovely mid-summer meal.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      You are so welcome Mary Beth! I love the addition of the toasted sesame oil and poaching the salmon. Thank you for trying the recipe!