Steamed Salmon with black bean garlic sauce is one of my favorite Chinese-style dishes. This is a very popular homestyle dish that is nut free and anyone can make at home. Steaming is a very gentle cooking method. I also love that it frees up your time and attention to make other dishes at the same time.
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Jump to RecipeSteaming is Nutritious and Easy!
Cooking your dishes via steam is a very healthy and nutritious way to cook. The gentle cooking method typically preserves nutrients and does not require additonal cooking oil. It also makes a delicious and healthy sauce. I save the sauce when I pack leftovers and the sauce turns to a jelly consistency!
Never peek at a steaming dish until at the end because that will release all of the steam. For that reason, I am free to do other things or rest (imagine that!). Afterwards, the steam pot is barely dirty and easy to clean and put away. If you have never tried steaming dishes, I have tips on how to steam your food.
Why I Love Salmon
Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids as well as protein and other beneficial vitamins and minerals. I personally feel better, my eyes are less irritated and joints hurt less when I eat salmon regularly. I try to eat salmon at least once a week. I try different ways of cooking salmon such as baking them with fried onions or even rice crispy cereal!
What is Black Bean Garlic Sauce?
I use Lee Kum Kee’s Black Bean Garlic sauce. The jarred sauce is made from soy sauce, fermented black soy beans, garlic, and other ingredients. It is a convenient alternative for small amounts of sauce needed for a recipe. Otherwise, rinse fermented black soy beans, chop it with garlic, and then add soy sauce and other ingredients.
It’s the same sauce that I use to make Steamed Spare Ribs with Black Bean Sauce Recipe. Black bean garlic sauce is also great in this simple but super tasty chicken stir fry.
How to Select and Steam Salmon Steaks
I buy salmon steaks for this recipe. Salmon steaks are the cross-section of a salmon where the backbone is in the center of the cut. I like center-cut (abdomen) pieces because the belly area has a lot of fat and flavor. Try to select similar sized pieces for even cooking, each piece is approximately 1-pound each and 1-inch thick.
Steam them on medium-high heat for approximately 12 minutes. Add a minute or two of steaming time if the salmon steaks are bigger or thicker. Likewise, reduce the time by 1 minute if the salmon steaks are smaller.
Can you steam other cuts of salmon?
Yes! When I buy a whole or half a salmon, I use an electric knife to cut them into 1-inch steaks. You can steam salmon filets but they will be ready in less time without the backbone. Steam filets for approximately 8-10 minutes for a 1 pound piece. If I buy a filet, I prefer to either bake salmon filets or pan-fry them (recipe coming soon!).
Allergy Aware Steamed Salmon Steaks
The main allergen in this dish is salmon, a fish and one of the top 9 allergens. You can substitute salmon with other types of whole fish or different cuts, depending on availability or freshness.
Steaming fish with black bean garlic sauce is a great way to mask some strong flavors due to preference. Freshness is still very critical, nothing can mask fish that is not fresh!
If you are allergic to soy, wheat, or any of the ingredients in the black bean garlic sauce, you can still make a a variation of this dish by steaming with ginger and scallions just like this recipe for Chinese Style Steamed Fish & Chinese New Year.
This recipe is free of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, and sesame as written.
Steamed Salmon with Black Bean Garlic Sauce, Chinese-Style
Ingredients
- 2 1- pound salmon steaks center cut preferred
- 1 teaspoon black bean garlic sauce
- 1/2 cup scallions chopped
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce optional
Instructions
- Set up a steamer with a large pot that is wide enough for a pie plate, add a steam rack and a approximately 1 inch of water, and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Check that the salmon pieces are free of scales (scrape with a knife and rinse as needed), pat dry. Arrange them in a large pie plate with the bony backs on opposite sides of the plate so that the salmon will cook evenly.
- Spread approximately 1/2 teaspoon of black bean garlic sauce on the top side of the salmon pieces and sprinkle all of the chopped scallions on top.
- When the water in the steamer pot comes to a rolling boil, place the dish on top of the steam rack, and cover the pot. Set a timer for 12 minutes.
- When the timer chimes, use a pot holder to lift the lid carefully and use it to block the steam from yourselff and without dripping any liquid into your dish. Check that the salmon is cooked through near the bone, poke with a fork or chopstick and the flesh should separately easily from the backbone and look cooked. If in doubt, cover and steam for another minute.
- Optional, drizzle with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of soy sauce.
Related Recipes:
I have shared links to other salmon recipes, other steamed fish recipes, and other recipes using black bean garlic throughout this post. Try serving steamed salmon with plain steamed rice. The neutral flavor of plain rice will help you enjoy the flavors and texture of this steamed salmon recipe.
I also like to contrast strong umami flavors with some sweet or neutral tasting vegetables. You will like Napa Cabbage Stir Fry: Easy, Kid Approved, and a Super Food. If stovetop space is limited, use your Instant Pot! I have a recipe for Baby Bok Choy Instant Pot Recipe, Tender Crisp, Chinese-Style.
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