Ginger and salmon are such a versatile and delicious combination – I’ve used them to make light, sautéed salmon and also to make saucy, baked salmon like this Ginger Sesame Baked Salmon. This salmon recipe is a must-try if you like Asian flavors and want to incorporate more of salmon’s health benefits into your diet.

Sesame Ginger Salmon Recipe
I try to serve salmon at least once a week for it’s various health benefits, but it can get boring if you don’t have some delicious salmon recipes in your repertoire (or at least on your Pinterest board).
This sesame ginger salmon recipe is a fun Asian-inspired salmon dish that uses a few standard Asian ingredients that I always have on hand.
If you don’t already have sesame oil in your cupboard, I highly encourage you to pick some up. Not just for this recipe – there are so many delicious recipes that you can use it in! It adds a umami punch to just about anything you add it to.
While I usually have fresh ginger on hand, I also always have ginger paste (just in case that piece of ginger has dried up since I bought it). If you rarely use ginger, it may be a better option for you.
This low carb ginger sesame salmon is a fast, weeknight-friendly baked salmon with a bright soy-lime-ginger glaze that delivers big flavor with minimal prep. The Asian-inspired marinade keeps the salmon tender and moist while sesame oil and aromatics add a rich, restaurant-style finish in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Big flavor, low effort. A simple whisk-and-pour marinade plus hands-off baking gives you a salmon dinner that tastes like takeout with barely any prep work. Perfect for weekend meal prep sessions.
- Healthy and low carb. Salmon, heart-healthy fats and a low-sugar glaze make this a satisfying option for low carb and keto-style eating without feeling like “diet food.”
- Flexible Asian-inspired base. The sesame-ginger-soy profile pairs easily with cauliflower rice, stir-fried veggies or salads, so you can spin it into different meals all week.
Sesame-Ginger Recipe FAQs
Salmon is so easy to overcook. If you think of salmon as anything other than moist and melt-in-your-mouth tender, then chances are you have only ever had overcooked salmon.
Salmon needs to be cooked to a temperature of 145ºF but you also want to avoid cooking the fat out of the fish. That’s what happens when you see little beads of white fat on the surface of the salmon. A little bit of this is okay, but too much and you will have a dry fish. For the first couple of times, use that meat thermometer to help you see when the temperature is just right and pay attention to the appearance of the salmon.
Cooking at a high temperature or searing the salmon first will also “lock in moisture.”
The flesh should still have tension and bounce back when pressed with your finger, and it should flake easily with a fork.
My friend Stacey shares her method for stovetop salmon here, and this recipe can be easily adapted for pan searing. Follow her tips for the best results.
Yes, you can marinate the salmon overnight and then bake just before serving; leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days and are excellent flaked over salads.
Frozen salmon works well; thaw it completely in the refrigerator, pat very dry before marinating, and then bake as directed.
No, fish sauce is optional; it adds extra umami but the recipe still tastes great if you leave it out or replace it with a splash of extra soy sauce.

Ingredients for Soy Ginger Salmon
Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and nutritional info.
- Salmon – choose center-cut fillets with even thickness so they cook at the same rate and stay juicy; wild or farmed both work as long as the flesh looks moist and vibrant
- Olive oil – use a mild olive oil so it does not overpower the sesame and ginger.
- Sesame oil – adds deep, nutty umami, so reach for toasted sesame oil for maximum flavor and use it sparingly because a little goes a long way.
- Fish sauce, optional – brings salty, savory depth.
- Ginger – freshly grated or ginger paste gives a bright, peppery heat and citrusy aroma.
- Garlic – mince it finely so it blends into the marinade and does not burn on the surface while baking.
- Soy Sauce
- Lime – the juice sharpens the flavors and balances the fat of the salmon.
- Green onions
- Maple syrup, optional – a touch of sweetness rounds out the salty and acidic notes.
Tip: taste and adjust the marinade and sauce to your personal preferences.
Easy Swaps and Variations:
- Swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free or soy-light while keeping the same general flavor.
- Use ginger paste instead of fresh ginger for a quicker prep (it keeps longer than fresh, too).
- Replace maple syrup with a low-carb sweetener to reduce carbs further while still getting a glossy glaze. (Sugar-free maple syrups, monk fruit or erythritol syrup are go-to swaps.)
- Spice it up with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the glaze.

How to Make Sesame Ginger Salmon
For the sesame ginger marinade:
Combine olive oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, fish sauce (if using), 1 teaspoon minced ginger and 2 cloves minced garlic.
Place salmon in a shallow container and rub the marinade onto the fish. Marinade for at least 20 minutes, but preferably overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350ºF
Place salmon in a greased casserole dish or cookie sheet and let come to room temperature before baking.
In a small bowl, combine remaining sesame oil, soy sauce, lime juice and maple syrup. Brush over the salmon.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. The salmon should still have a pink-orange color and white fat should not be coming to the surface.
Garnish with sesame seeds and lime slices.

Tips for Success:
- Let the salmon marinate at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight) so the ginger, garlic and sesame flavors can penetrate the fish instead of just sitting on top.
- Bring the marinated salmon to room temperature before baking and cook at 350°F just until it flakes and reaches about 145°F to avoid drying it out.
- Watch for only a few small white fat beads on the surface; if you see a lot of white albumin, the salmon is overcooking and should come out of the oven immediately.
What to Serve with:
- Cauliflower fried rice
- Plain cauliflower rice
- Quick stir-fried green beans or sugar snap peas
- Asian-style slaw with cabbage, carrots and a light sesame dressing
- Steamed or roasted broccoli
- Cucumber salad
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Low Carb Ginger Sesame Salmon
Ginger Sesame Baked Salmon pairs tender salmon with warm ginger and savory sesame flavors in an easy baked dish. It’s a simple way to enjoy Asian-inspired flavors while making salmon a regular part of your weeknight meals. (Perfect for meal-prep and family-friendly dinners.)
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 Tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For the salmon:
- 2lb salmon (or 5 4oz filets)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/2 Tablespoon maple syrup
- Sesame seeds, optional garnish
- Lime slices, optional garnish
Instructions
- For the sesame ginger marinade: Combine olive oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, fish sauce (if using), 1 teaspoon minced ginger and 2 cloves minced garlic.
- Place salmon in a shallow container and rub the marinade onto the fish. Marinade for at least 20 minutes, but preferably overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350ºF
- Place salmon in a greased casserole dish or cookie sheet and let come to room temperature before baking.
- In a small bowl, combine remaining sesame oil, soy sauce, lime juice and maple syrup. Brush over the salmon.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes. The salmon should still have a pink-orange color and white fat should not be coming to the surface.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and lime slices.
Notes
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Casserole dish
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
5Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 566Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 745mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 42g
This ginger sesame salmon recipe is a delicious option for getting more fish into your family’s diet.
For more low carb Asian-inspired recipes, check out our Low Carb Pad Thai Zoodles with Shrimp or our Oven Roasted Butter Chicken.


