Grilled Salmon with Kewpie Mayo Glaze and Zucchini 🐟🔥

We Went to Outdoor World and Somehow Came Home With a Grizzly Bear Salmon Dinner 😂🐻

It all started with my outdoorsman at Outdoor World. If you could see a man's eyes light up like a girl on a shopping spree, this is one of those places. In a world full of temptations, having Outdoor World right next to Costco is one of those things that a man cannot resist. After months of persistent requests to go explore, I finally gave in and said, "Yes". 😂

If you have never been to Outdoor World, it feels more like an attraction than a store. Between the giant aquariums, wildlife displays, and nature everywhere, each location is designed to reflect the natural landscape and habitats of its region. 🌲✨

My favorite part at ours is the breathtaking waterfall. Somehow, despite all the outdoor gear around us, my family can stand there staring at it like we suddenly became wilderness people for the afternoon. 😂🌊

It has become our little secret getaway whenever we want to escape our busy city vibe for a while.

Like a kid at a candy store, it was love at first sight when the coolest Grizzly Bear Slate caught my attention. I have seen a lot of cool slates before, but this one was completely over the top in the best possible way. 🐻

Bingo! What better to make than the Grizzly Bear's favorite food, salmon?

Apparently, a bear's sense of smell is so powerful it can detect an attractive odor from a mile away, which honestly explains why my family suddenly appeared in the kitchen the second the grill started going. 😂🐟

Surprisingly, my partner loved the unique slate so much that we instantly decided to take it home to add to our growing dish collection.

After getting so excited and brainstorming ways to turn the salmon into the Grizzly Bear's favorite version, and okay, our family's favorite too, we landed on an Asian fusion inspired flavor. 💛

My partner fired up the grill while we mixed together our Japanese style marinade with creamy Kewpie mayonnaise for a little sweetness and richness. Then we added zucchini for color and greens. 🥒🔥

After everything was finished, the Grizzly Bear started looking kind of lonely sitting there on the slate by himself, so I grabbed some cut out carrots and cherries and somehow turned the entire plate into a Pac Man game. 🎮🥕🍒

I thought I was decorating one salmon dinner. The kids apparently thought I was launching an entire video game dinner series.

Before they even finished eating, they were already asking what game I was making next. 😂🎮

The salmon turned out so sweet, tender, and rich with Japanese inspired flavor, while the zucchini became smoky, juicy, and ridiculously delicious. Huge success for our first ever video game inspired meal, and now I already want to make more themed dinners for the family. ✨

I hope this recipe will motivate you to create special meals for your family whenever inspiration flows.

Because a meal is never meant to be just food with everyone silently sitting around the dinner table eating. The best meals are the ones people still laugh about later because somehow a Grizzly Bear slate, Pac Man cherries, and a few cut out carrots turned an ordinary dinner into a memory. 💛

I started the day finally giving in to one trip to Outdoor World. Somehow, I ended it with a Grizzly Bear, Pac Man, and two kids already waiting for the sequel. 😂🐻🎮

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Rest Time 4 mins

Total Time 29 mins

Cooking Method: Grill

Cuisine: American

Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: Beginner

Cooking Temp: 400 F

Servings: 2

Calories: 505

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Enjoy our Grilled Kewpie Salmon Delight featuring tender salmon fillets marinated in creamy Kewpie mayo, grilled to perfection alongside vibrant zucchini and yellow squash. Packed with omega-3s, vitamins, and antioxidants, this dish offers a delicious and nutritious twist to your dinner table.

Ingredients

For the Salmon:

12 Ounce Salmon Fillet, cut in half for two servings
2 Tablespoons Kewpie Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Less Sodium Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon Mirin
1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil

For the Zucchini and Yellow Squash:

3 Whole Zucchini, sliced lengthwise
2 Whole Yellow Squash, sliced lengthwise
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Mirin

Instructions

For the Salmon:

1
Gather Your Ingredients: Prepare for a culinary adventure by gathering your fresh salmon fillets, vibrant zucchini, and yellow squash, along with creamy Kewpie mayo and a dash of your favorite seasoning. Let's create a flavorful and nutritious grilled dish that's perfect for any occasion!
2
Prepare the Marinade:
Prepare the marinade by combining 2 tablespoons of Kewpie mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well-blended. This flavorful marinade will infuse your salmon with a delicious umami taste, making it perfect for grilling.
3
Prepare the Salmon: Prepare the salmon by placing each fillet on a sheet of aluminum foil and lightly spraying with avocado oil to prevent sticking. Brush the prepared Kewpie mayo marinade evenly over each fillet, ensuring both sides are well-coated. Fold the foil around the salmon to create a sealed packet, locking in the flavors and moisture. This method ensures your salmon stays juicy and flavorful while grilling.
4
Preheat the Grill:
Place the foil-wrapped salmon packets and the marinated zucchini and yellow squash halves on the preheated grill. We enjoy using our Weber Genesis Grill for its consistent heat and spacious grilling area. Grill the salmon packets for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the salmon is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork. Grill the zucchini and squash halves for 5-7 minutes per side until they are tender and have beautiful grill marks. The foil packets ensure your salmon remains moist and flavorful while the vegetables acquire a delightful char.

For the Zucchini and Yellow Squash:

5
Prepare the Zucchini and Yellow Squash: Prepare the zucchini and yellow squash by first slicing them lengthwise into thick strips. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of mirin. Lay the sliced zucchini and yellow squash in a baking dish, then brush the soy sauce and mirin mixture over the vegetables, ensuring they are evenly coated. This will enhance their natural flavors and add a savory touch to your grilled side dish.

Grilling and Presentation:

6
Time to Grill: Place the foil-wrapped salmon packets and the marinated zucchini and yellow squash slices on the preheated grill. Grill the salmon packets for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the salmon is fully cooked and flakes easily with a fork. Grill the zucchini and squash halves for 5-7 minutes per side until they are tender and have beautiful grill marks. The foil packets ensure your salmon remains moist and flavorful while the vegetables acquire a delightful char.
7
Plating:Carefully open the foil packets to reveal the perfectly grilled Kewpie marinated salmon. Arrange the grilled zucchini and yellow squash halves on a serving platter, and place the salmon fillets on top. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs, a sprinkle of black sesame seeds, and a few vibrant cherry tomatoes for a pop of color. Serve immediately and enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors and textures in this nutritious and delicious meal.

Tips for Success:

8
Even Slices:
When preparing the zucchini and yellow squash, slice them evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate. Uniform slices will prevent some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
9
Preheat the Grill:Always preheat your grill to the desired temperature before placing any food on it. This helps achieve a consistent cooking environment and beautiful grill marks.
10
Avoid Overcrowding:
When grilling, avoid overcrowding the grill. Give each piece of salmon and vegetable enough space to cook evenly and prevent steaming instead of grilling.
11
Check for Doneness:
For perfectly cooked salmon, look for it to flake easily with a fork and have an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). For vegetables, they should be tender and have well-defined grill marks.
12
Rest the Salmon:
After grilling, let the salmon rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more flavorful and moist fish.
13
Seal the Foil Packets Well:
Make sure the foil packets are sealed tightly to prevent any marinade or juices from leaking out during grilling. This helps in keeping the salmon moist and infused with flavor.
14
Brush Vegetables with Marinade:
To enhance the flavor of the grilled vegetables, brush them with the remaining marinade or a bit of olive oil before placing them on the grill.
15
Monitor the Grill:
Keep a close eye on the grill to avoid burning. Adjust the heat if necessary, especially when grilling both foil packets and vegetables simultaneously.
16
Use Fresh Herbs:
Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor and a vibrant look to your dish. Add them just before serving to maintain their fresh taste and appearance.
17
Clean Grill Grates:
Ensure your grill grates are clean before use. This prevents food from sticking and makes clean-up easier. A quick brush with a grill brush while the grill is preheating is usually sufficient.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Serving Size 1

Amount Per Serving
Calories 505kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32g50%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Cholesterol 119mg40%
Sodium 247mg11%
Potassium 1350mg39%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 6g
Protein 45g90%

Vitamin A 310 IU
Vitamin C 26 mg
Calcium 46 mg
Iron 2 mg
Vitamin D 570 IU
Vitamin E 2.5 IU
Vitamin K 8 mcg
Thiamin 0.3 mg
Riboflavin 0.5 mg
Niacin 14 mg
Vitamin B6 1 mg
Folate 50 mcg
Vitamin B12 2.8 mcg
Biotin 5 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 1.5 mg
Phosphorus 420 mg
Iodine 40 mcg
Magnesium 70 mg
Zinc 1.5 mg
Selenium 45 mcg
Copper 0.1 mg
Manganese 0.4 mg
Chromium 10 mcg
Molybdenum 0.05 mcg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Nutrition Disclaimer:

The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.