This Asian salmon is marinated in the aromatic mixture of soy sauce, lemongrass, ginger, garlic and lime with a touch of chilli, then quickly oven baked. Add a flavourful carrot and cucumber slaw and you have yourself a scrumptious dinner or lunch!
If you love this Asian salmon recipe, try our Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy.
Lately we have been on the biggest fish kick and feel so much happier and healthier for it!
What I realised made the biggest difference is the quality of fish we started buying and the variety with which it’s prepared.
This Asian salmon with carrot and cucumber slaw in peanut dressing ticks all the above. Lovely salmon and a brilliantly easy and accessible recipe.
All in all is a winning combination.
What flavours go into Asian salmon?
“Asian” is quite a vague way to describe anything. However, I had little choice but to go with that name since the recipe ingredients come from many places.
This salmon recipe combines the flavours found in many Asian countries’ cuisines but leans more towards Thai with its clever use of lime juice, lemongrass and chillies. If you are a fan of these flavours, feel free to explore our Asian recipe collection for more ideas.
To intensify the flavours I marinated the salmon for 30 minutes before baking it.
The Marinade Recipe
The main ingredients in this salmon marinade are soy sauce, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, lime juice, honey or brown sugar, chopped cilantro and chillies for a bit of heat.
This marinade is absolutely brilliant and works equally well for baked or grilled salmon. It looks like a lot of ingredients but together they produce such complex flavours. No one will ever complain this salmon is bland!
It is also incredibly straightforward. All you have to do is to mix everything together pour over the fish and let it sit in the fridge for half an hour.
Serving Suggestions
The immediate suggestion is white rice. Asian glazed salmon and white rice are a classic combination after all.
But if I can persuade you to go a step further, I would absolutely give this carrot and cucumber slaw a try.
How to make slaw
The slaw recipe was inspired by the Thai Green Papaya Salad I posted a while back. Although I absolutely loved it, both kids and Brad suggested I remake it using more ‘normal’ ingredients like carrots and cucumbers instead of an overpriced and exotic green papaya.
Normal ingredients but a killer peanut dressing flavoured with garlic, chillies, fish sauce, lime juice and tamarind sauce make this slaw to die for. Something you will only experience at a restaurant but so easy to make at home.
For a more authentic look use a mandolin to cut your vegetables into matchsticks but a normal vegetable grater will also work just as well.
This dish is ideal for a light dinner any day of the year and if you are lucky enough to have leftovers it would make the most delicious work lunch!
Favourite salmon recipes:
- Baked Salmon in Rose Cream Sauce
- Salmon en Croute (Salmon in Pastry)
- Chilli Garlic Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli
- Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon
Recipe originally published in 09/2016. Updated in 05/2019
Asian Salmon with Carrot and Cucumber Slaw
Ingredients
For the salmon
- ¼ cup soy sauce or Tamari for gluten-free version
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp chilli paste or 1 red chilli minced
- 4-5 sprigs cilantro chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 250g/8oz salmon divided
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
For the slaw
- 1 cucumber cut in matchsticks
- 1 carrot cut in matchsticks
- 3 radishes cut in matchsticks
- 2-3 spring onions sliced
- ½ red chilli sliced thinly
- 2-3 cilantro sprigs leaves only
- 2 tbsp peanuts crushed
For the dressing
- 1 tbsp dry roasted peanuts
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 chilli minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp Palm sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 65ml/1/4cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp Tamarind sauce optional
Instructions
- Mix soy sauce, lemon grass paste, garlic, ginger, lime juice, chopped cilantro and chilli paste or fresh minced chillies and pour over your salmon.
- Let it marinade for at least for 30 minutes.
- Then brush the marinade off your salmon and glaze it with 2 tablespoons of honey, broil in the oven for 7 minutes in the same pan it was marinading until the top is caramelised and blackened and the salmon flakes up easily with a fork.
- Prepare the dressing by combining peanuts, garlic, minced chilli, salt and palm or brown sugar in a mortar, bash with a pestle until you have a paste and then combine with fish sauce, Tamarind sauce if using and lime juice. Set aside.
- Peel carrots and cut carrots, cucumbers and radishes in matchsticks using a mandolin or a vegetable grater. Slice spring onions and chilli.
- Combine all vegetables in a medium sized bowl and gently toss with the dressing.
- For serving divide the slaw between two plates and sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Top each plate with a piece of salmon. Sprinkle salmon with sesame seeds and more sliced spring onions. Serve immediately.
Linda says
Hi, I am making this today for the first time, Is the marinade I. The bottom of the dish when I put in in the oven, or is it discarded?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
It’s at the bottom of the dish, Linda.
Misa says
Really, really good!
So happy to find a delicious asian salmon salad! Both the marinade and dressing are fab. I could live on those flavours 🙂
Added thinly sliced red peppers as I love them. Both my husband and son thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Thank you for the recipe
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
What a great review! Thank you so much, Misa. I am thrilled your whole family loved this recipe.
Tara says
What kind of chili do I use?
Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says
Fresh red chilli as listed in the ingredients.
Aanika says
This was so incredibly good! My husband and I both loved it and we are going to add it into our favorite recipes! Thank you so much! So glad I happened upon your blog and can’t wait to try more things from you!
vikalinka says
I am so pleased you and your husband loved it, Aanika! Let me know what other recipes you are trying! 🙂
Erin says
I made this just recently (had to omit a thing or two because I didn’t have them on hand) and it turned out absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to make it again. Thanks for sharing it 🙂
vikalinka says
Thank you for such a lovely review, Erin!
Rachael says
I ended up making this two nights in a row for dinner! After my boyfriend and I tried it, we couldn’t not make it for his family. AMAZING. So yum!
vikalinka says
Yes!!! So happy to hear it, Rachael!
Marina says
This recipe looks so good! Couldn’t help but check it out when I saw it on Pinterest😉😋
vikalinka says
Thanks, Marina! 🙂
Samantha says
Is the skin left on the salmon? Or is it skinless? Can’t wait to try this!!
vikalinka says
The skin is left on but you can easily peel it off once it’s cooked, Samantha!
Danielle Pettie says
Just tried this tonight and Garrett and I both loved it! When he sat down to eat he said “oooh gourmet!” I couldn’t find lemon grass paste so I used lemon zest and I don’t like cucumber so I used green apple instead. I had a hard time getting the salmon to blacken without overcooking it… I’ll try a hotter broil next time.
vikalinka says
That’s awesome, Danielle! 🙂 I love the idea of using a green apple, I am sure it adds a ton of flavour and sweetness. Yes, a hot broil and moving the salmon closer to the element should do the trick, it’s the sugar in honey that causes salmon to caramelise and blacken.
Michelle Fowler says
Made it and loved it. The honey on the salmon was so perfect with the acidity in the salad. It’s going in my go-to-recipes for sure!
vikalinka says
I am so glad, Michelle! I was so happy when I first discovered that salad and salmon has always been at the top of my list in any shape or form!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Salmon is on our dinner menu at least once a week, so I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy it! This looks perfect. The salmon looks delicious and love that slaw!
vikalinka says
Thank you, Jennifer! We love salmon here as well but just recently started to branch out more and try different fish, so happy we are doing it! 🙂