Teriyaki Salmon

About Teriyaki

Teriyaki is a distinctive Japanese cooking method that involves grilling or pan-frying ingredients while basting them with a sweet and savory soy-based sauce. This sauce—typically made with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin—caramelizes as it cooks, creating a glossy, amber-colored glaze known as “teri,” meaning "shine" or "luster." That’s exactly where the name teriyaki comes from.

Originally, teriyaki was used primarily to prepare fish. Over time, however, the method was adapted to a wide range of ingredients, including meats and vegetables, resulting in many popular variations. Interestingly, meat-based teriyaki dishes actually became popular through a “reverse import” from the United States.

During the late 1950s, a wave of interest in Japanese culture swept across America. As soy sauce-based recipes were featured in the media, a new style of cooking soy sauce marinades brushed over meat and grilled over open flames—became known as “teriyaki,” especially among barbecue enthusiasts. It quickly became a staple in American home cooking.

This American-style teriyaki eventually made its way back to Japan. In 1973, the first Teriyaki Burger was introduced by a Japanese fast-food chain. Initially, it struggled to gain popularity due to the traditional association of teriyaki with fish. But thanks to word-of-mouth—especially among high school girls—the burger caught on and became a beloved Japanese classic.

In this recipe, we return to teriyaki’s roots with a simple, delicious preparation of teriyaki salmon. Salmon is widely available in the U.S., making it an ideal ingredient for enjoying this traditional Japanese glaze at home.