Gochujang-Glazed Sockeye with Charred Corn

Glossy, spicy-sweet wild sockeye pairs with buttery charred-corn salad and crisp sesame cucumber for a colorful summer dinner worthy of a special night.

Ingredients

  • Fresh Sockeye Salmon Fillet Wild Caught (sustainably sourced)
    12 oz, cut into 2 portions $15.99
  • Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob-Each
    2 ears $0.75
  • Cucumber
    1 cucumber $0.89
  • Green Onions
    2 green onions $1.19
  • Gochujang
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Low-sodium soy sauce
    1 tablespoon
  • Honey
    1 tablespoon
  • Rice vinegar
    2 tablespoons
  • Unsalted butter
    2 tablespoons
  • Toasted sesame oil
    2 teaspoons
  • Neutral cooking oil
    1 teaspoon
  • Toasted sesame seeds
    1 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, about 425°F, with a cooler zone on one side; thoroughly clean and oil the grates.
  2. Whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter. Transfer 1 1/2 tablespoons glaze to a clean serving bowl and reserve the other 4 tablespoons for grilling.
  3. Thinly slice 1 cucumber and 1 green onion, then toss them with 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; refrigerate until serving.
  4. Shuck 2 ears corn and grill for 10–12 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes, until tender and charred. Cut the kernels from the cobs, then toss them with 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 thinly sliced green onion, 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt.
  5. Pat 12 ounces sockeye salmon dry and coat with 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Grill flesh-side down without moving for 1–2 minutes, then carefully flip skin-side down onto the cooler zone. Brush the exposed flesh with 2 tablespoons grilling glaze, cook for 2 minutes, brush with another 2 tablespoons grilling glaze, and continue cooking for 2–4 minutes, until the center reaches 140–142°F.
  6. Rest the 2 cooked portions for 3 minutes and confirm they reach the FDA-recommended 145°F through carryover cooking; if needed, return them to the cooler grill zone briefly. Plate 1 portion with half the charred-corn salad and half the cucumber salad, then spoon 3/4 tablespoon reserved clean glaze over each portion.

Total time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: $16–$20 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 630 calories per serving, with roughly 40 grams protein, 39 grams carbohydrates, and 34 grams fat.

Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling balances the gochujang’s heat and complements the caramelized corn.