Furikake Salmon

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This furikake salmon recipe is so easy to make and has a lovely earthy, briny topping. This umami-packed salmon dish is going to be your new favorite way to enjoy salmon!

Furikake is a Japanese rice seasoning that usually has some blend of bonito flakes, nori, black and white sesame seeds, and salt.

Because of salmon's rich, buttery flavor, it's a perfect pairing with the brighter flavors of furikake. The kewpie mayo locks in the moisture and adds a really lush flavor as well.

Why You'll Love Salmon with Furikake & Mayo

It's always wonderful when a recipe is super easy to make and has a memorable and intense flavor profile - this recipe is one of those.

This Japanese baked salmon with mayo is deeply flavorful and tastes so rich.

Salmon is an easy fish to cook and works great with a seasoning crust (our everything but the bagel seasoning salmon is similar).

This recipe also saves well in the refrigerator, so you can use it for meal prep or a take to work lunch.

Serve this salmon with a side of white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, a delicious green salad, or some Asian-style green beans.

Ingredients You'll Need

You don't need very many ingredients to make this healthy recipe. Here's what to add to your grocery list:

Fresh Salmon - You'll need 4 salmon fillets (they are usually 4 ounces, but could be as large as 6 ounces per fillet). Good salmon will be blemish-free, dry (not slimy), and a pinkish color. If it smells overly fishy, it's too old - it's okay if it smells briny though.

Kewpie Mayo - You'll need 4 teaspoons of kewpie mayo, a Japanese mayonnaise that is very savory. You can use regular mayonnaise if you can't find Kewpie.

Furikake - You'll need two tablespoons of furikake seasoning, a Japanese seasoning blend. There are many types of blends for furikake at Asian grocery stores, look for one that says it's for topping fish. If you're shopping at Trader Joe's or online, the standard blend you'll find should contain a mix of nori, sesame seeds, and Bonita flakes.

Oil - You'll need two tablespoons of neutral oil like vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil.

How to Make this Recipe

Prep the salmon - Pat the salmon with a paper towel. Spread 1 teaspoon of kewpie mayo on each salmon fillet. Then sprinkle furikake on top of the salmon fillets. You want a layer of furikake across the top of all the salmon filets.

Heat the oil - Heat the oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. If the oil is spitting, reduce to medium heat.

Cook the fish - Place salmon skin side down in the pan and let it cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 130 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer or the flesh has cooked about halfway up. Flip the salmon fillets over onto the furikake side and cook for 1 minute or until the internal temperature is 140 on an instant-read thermometer.

A note on salmon doneness - Removing the salmon at 140 degrees F will stop it from overcooking. Salmon is down when it reaches an internal temperature of 145, but when you remove any protein from the heat it will continue to cook for a few minutes.

Allow the salmon to rest on a plate or cutting board for 3 to 5 minutes before serving and you'll have flaky, perfectly cooked salmon.

Optional - use a little lemon juice, low-sodium soy sauce, wasabi paste, a little sesame oil, or avocado slices for topping.

More Salmon Recipes to Try

Love salmon? So do we! Check out some of our favorite salmon recipes.

• Sheet Pan Salmon Recipe - an easy salmon dinner with green beans and radishes
• Juniper Berries Salmon - an exciting flavor blend with limes and juniper
• Spinach Feta Stuffed Salmon - a delightful stuffed salmon recipe that's a family favorite

Also, be sure to check out our favorite sides dishes for salmon recipes. It'll give you some great ideas for veggie side dishes and salads that pair well with salmon.

Tips for Making this Recipe

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Cooking Tips - Salmon is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. Pulling it off the heat when it hits 140 F will allow it to hit that temperature while it rests without drying out or overcooking.

Specialty Ingredients - You can find kewpie mayo at most grocery stores, but you can get it online from Amazon if it's not available. You can make your own furikake blend or buy it from an Asian grocery store or Trader Joe's.

Recommended Tools - I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer when cooking fish or meat. It's so easy to see if something is done cooking!

Storing Tips - The cooked salmon will save in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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