Furikake Salmon

This easy Furikake Salmon recipe is brimming with savory and umami flavors! Succulent, fatty salmon fillets are seasoned with a rich Kewpie mayo and furikake-based marinade and baked to perfection. The result: moist, flaky, and flavorful fish that’s great for busy weeknights or hosting dinner parties!

• Healthy: Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and provides lean protein. Plus, this recipe is also dairy-free.
• Easy: Furikake-crusted salmon requires just 5 minutes prep and 6 ingredients! Even beginner cooks can whip up this mouthwatering seafood dish!
• Quick: Baked Salmon with Furikake is ready in just 30 minutes! This recipe is ideal for when you need a delicious dinner but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

🧂 Ingredients

• Salmon fillets: Look for bright, glossy, and moist fillet flesh with consistent coloring. A fresh, slightly oceanic scent is a good sign of fresh salmon. Try to opt for boneless fillets of even thickness to help with uniform baking.
• Furikake: This all-purpose Japanese seasoning adds a punch of umami flavor. I usually opt for the variety with sugar for a subtle sweetness that balances out the other flavors. Look for furikake in the international aisle of large grocery stores or Asian food markets - my favorite brand is JFC Nori Komi Furikake.
• Kewpie mayonnaise: Kewpie is Japanese-style mayonnaise that's richer and creamier than regular mayo. It not only helps the furikake adhere to the fish but also keeps it moist during the cooking process. Look for Kewpie in the international aisle of your grocery store. Got extra? Use it in Hawaiian Mac Salad with Tuna or Kimchi Deviled Eggs
• Rice wine vinegar: An essential ingredient to balance the richness of salmon and mayonnaise. Rice wine vinegar adds a subtle tang and sweetness to the dish.
• Soy sauce: Also known as shoyu, this sauce adds depth and umami flavor to the dish without making it overly salty. I recommend low-sodium soy sauce.
• Garlic powder: A hint of garlic enhances the hearty, savory profile of the salmon. I don't recommend using fresh garlic since it'll easily burn in the oven.

• Try a different fish! Arctic char, steelhead trout, or black cod have similar cooking times to salmon.
• If you’re looking for a more affordable option, cooking a whole salmon fillet is a good alternative. Bake the fillet at 375ºF (190ºC) for 12-15 minutes per inch of thickness or until the internal temperature is 125-140ºF, depending on your desired doneness.
• For more flavor, add a touch of miso paste, teriyaki sauce, wasabi, ginger, or sriracha to the mayonnaise dressing.
• To make gluten-free Furikake Salmon, replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• To air fry, preheat air fryer to 375ºF (190ºC) for a few minutes. Prepare the recipe as directed but air fry for 6-10 minutes instead of baking.

STEP ONE: First, preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line a baking sheet with foil. To prevent the salmon fillets from sticking, lightly oil the foil as well and place the fish skin-side down.

Then whisk together Kewpie mayonnaise, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

STEP TWO: Generously spread mayonnaise onto tops of each salmon fillet.

STEP THREE: Then sprinkle furikake on top and gently pat down into mayonnaise.

Bake for 8-15 minutes or until salmon is cooked to your liking. The time will depend on the thickness of your fillets so keep an eye on them. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

• Keep the skin on the salmon: It acts as a barrier to prevent the salmon from becoming dry or overcooked. If you prefer skinless salmon, don’t oil the foil.
• Bring it to room temperature: Start with room-temperature salmon to ensure even cooking throughout the fillet.
• Adjust the cooking time: Consider the thickness and preferred doneness of your fillet since the cooking time will depend on these factors. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness - medium rare is 125ºF (52ºC) and well-done is 145ºF (63ºC).

Baked Furikake Salmon can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! Include it in bowls with seaweed, imitation crab, and veggies. Or make a rice bowl by pairing it with Lemon Basil Rice, coconut rice, or plain steamed rice.

You can also increase the health benefits by adding a side of roasted vegetables. You can't go wrong with roasted asparagus, brussels sprouts, or carrots with green beans.