A simple yet delicious recipe for Saba Shioyaki is a perfect addition to your dinner menu due to how easy it is to make.
The crispy skin and burst of flavor will keep the family coming back for more.
Contents
How Did Saba Shioyaki Get Its Name?
The name Saba Shioyaki is a combination of terms from the Japanese.
- Saba means mackerel in Japanese.
- Shio means salt
- Yaki means grilling
So Saba Shioyaki translates to salt grilled mackerel.
If you’re looking for a fish recipe that is reasonably priced, delicious, and only needs a few ingredients to tase amazing, then this is it.
Mackerel or Saba is a popular type of fish for cooking in Japan. The one down side to mackerel is that it does spoil quickly so it is important to use it within a day of purchasing it.
So, it is important to pay attention to the freshness of this fish. You should always ensure you cook or freeze it properly as well.
Is Saba The Same As Mackerel?
On a basic level, yes Saba is a type of mackerel that is found in the seas of Japan. It is just one of many fish that are classified as a mackerel.
Easy Saba Shioyaki Recipe
Saba Shioyaki Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 saba fillets
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Sake or Mirin
Instructions
- Pat fish dry with paper towels
- Lightly brush sake or mirin on the skin of the fish
- Sprinkle salt generously on both the skin and meat of the fish
- Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Dab fish lightly to remove extra liquid that formed after sitting
- Remove excess salt
- Put olive oil on the pan to prevent the fish from sticking
- Place fish skin side down on pan
- Cook for 15-20 minutes or until fish is cooked all the way through
For an extra crispiness factor, you can put your oven on broil for 5 minutes or so.
If you want to make a version that does not have any alcohol, you can remove the sake completely or use Mirin which has a lower alcohol content.
The fish will still be amazing without the sake since it is the salt that is really making most of the magic happen.
Notes
There are so many options for sides that will complement this dish. A few of my favorites include:
- Plain steamed rice (shown here)
- Vegetable mixed brown rice
- Miso soba noodle soup
- Pickled cabbage and carrots
Saba Shioyaki is so simple that anyone can make it. Just a few simple ingredients and a short time in the oven and you have a meal that will make you feel like you are fine dining for the evening.
Ingredients
- 2 saba fillets
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Sake or Mirin
Instructions
- Pat fish dry with paper towels
- Lightly brush sake or mirin on the skin of the fish
- Sprinkle salt generously on both the skin and meat of the fish
- Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Dab fish lightly to remove extra liquid that formed after sitting
- Remove excess salt
- Put olive oil on pan to prevent fish from sticking
- Place fish skin side down on pan
- Cook 15-20 minutes or until fish is cooked all the way through
For an extra crispiness factor you can put your oven on broil for 5 minutes or so.
Additional Notes
If you want to make a version that does not have an alcohol, you can remove the sake completely or use Mirin which has a lower alcohol content.
The fish will still be amazing without the sake since it is the salt that is really making most of the magic happen.
What To Serve With Saba Shioyaki
There are so many options for sides that will complement this dish. A few of my favorites include:
- Plain steamed rice (shown here)
- Vegetable mixed brown rice
- Miso soba noodle soup
- Pickled cabbage and carrots (shown here)
Is Saba Healthy?
Mackerel is a very nutritious fish, rich in protein, iron, and vitamins B1 and B2. Like sardine and tuna, it also contains quite a lot of Omega 3.
Normally in Japan, it is eaten grilled, simmered, or fried.
With mackerel, we often make sushi and sashimi by marinating them in vinegar. But most choose not to eat it raw because of the risk of anisakis.
If you do not have enough experience to cook this fish, I recommend that you do not eat it raw!
Great For Bento Boxes
Whether for your own lunch, or for the kids – this is a great meal for that bento box. Perfect for picnics, afternoons out, or when you need a snack for the road trips.
