Teriyaki Salmon With Green Beans and Rice Alternative

LOW-CARB TERIYAKI SALMON WITH GREEN BEANS AND RICE ALTERNATIVE

Who doesn’t love teriyaki? It’s always a super popular dish at any Japanese restaurant. While we might not think of teriyaki as a simple make-at-home meal, it’s so fast and easy to whip together!

Today, we use It’s Skinny Rice Shape for a guilt-free, low-carb teriyaki salmon with green beans. The bright flavors of this easy recipe are delectable! This low-carb teriyaki salmon is bound to become one of your favorite keto recipes.

THE ORIGINS OF TERIYAKI

Teriyaki is a two-part word. In Japan, the technique of marinating and grilling meat is referred to as yaki. Yaki means “cooked over open heat,” so it can also refer to frying and other hot cooking methods. The word “teri” means the luster or sheen that comes from cooking sugar. When we combine them, we get teriyaki.

The idea of cooking meat and fish over high heat originated in the 17^th century. To add flavor and tenderness, meat and fish were often marinated in rice wine (mirin), soy, and other liquids before cooking.

Flash forward to the 1950s, when Japanese immigrants in Hawaii used local pineapple juice to tenderize meat, thanks to the chemical bromelain within the pineapple enzymes. Pineapple made a sweet, succulent marinade for chicken, fish, pork, beef, and more when combined with soy sauce and mirin.

Eventually, in the 60s and 70s, Seattle became a popular Japanese enclave. Restauranteurs put sweet "teriyaki" dishes on almost every menu. The Washington State Restaurant Association identified over 80 restaurants with “teriyaki” in the name, making it the unofficial signature dish of the city.

Of course, today, teriyaki is a favorite in almost any city in America. Thanks to fast-casual restaurants, the popularity of sushi, and the availability of simple ingredients, you can find teriyaki dishes anywhere. You'll also find teriyaki sauce and marinade at every grocery store.

Now, teriyaki marinades can vary greatly. Some contain aromatics like ginger and red pepper. Some have citrus, like pineapple, lemon, or orange juice. Others stick with a classic combination of soy sauce, sugar, and a splash of rice wine vinegar (or sake). While some folks like to make their own, many opt for the bottled variety's convenience.

Any way you make it, teriyaki is a yummy way to spruce up many foods like teriyaki chicken wings, burgers, or in this case, salmon. While there is some sugar in the sauce, the content is still low enough that it won’t derail most low-carb diets. You can also look for keto teriyaki sauce if you prefer. We thin out our sauce with a little bit of water, so you get the flavors but can still enjoy it guilt-free.

Green beans are another perfect pairing in this delicious dish. While green beans aren’t traditional in Japan, where soybeans and adzuki beans are the primary bean types, they still pair very well with the flavors in Japanese cuisine. Green beans originated in South and Central America and eventually became a North American staple.

Salmon, on the other hand, is popular in Japanese cooking. Pacific salmon is an abundant ocean fish. It's healthy and delicious—full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and plenty of protein. The salmon becomes extra juicy and flaky when marinated, making it ultra craveable. Cooking salmon is easy, and the great flavor is sure to delight your taste buds.

IT’S SKINNY: RICE SHAPE WITHOUT CARBOHYDRATES

The other star of this keto salmon recipe is the It’s Skinny Rice Shape! Now, what would teriyaki salmon with green beans be without the rice shape? Rice makes it feel authentic, restaurant-worthy, and elevated.

But if you're cutting carbs, you probably know that traditional rice is FULL of carbohydrates. You're looking at around 45 grams of carbs for a cup of rice. If you're following the keto diet or a similar plan, that's an entire day's allotment of carbs in one setting!

If you skip the rice entirely, the meal is still pretty good…but we all know that the rice really brings teriyaki together, soaks up the delicious marinade, and makes the dish filling. Fortunately, It’s Skinny Rice Shape solves the rice dilemma deliciously.

A pack of It’s Skinny Rice Shape contains only 9 calories (for the whole pack). It has ZERO net carbs! You can enjoy It’s Skinny Rice Shape or It’s Skinny Pasta without feeling bad about cheating on your diet. It’s Skinny offers the taste and texture of your favorite rice and pasta, but thanks to a (not-so) secret ingredient, it keeps you on track.

What’s that secret ingredient, you ask? It’s another Asian food called konjac. Konjac is a root that looks sort of like a radish, turnip, or potato. It's exceptionally fibrous, containing a special kind of fiber called glucomannan. This fiber keeps you full throughout the day and keeps your blood sugar levels steady.

Unlike traditional rice, there’s no carb coma or carb crash. You’ll feel satisfied but never weighed down. It’s Skinny opens a whole new world of low-carb meal possibilities. (Seriously—check out our recipe section for all kinds of ideas.)

We make It’s Skinny in four awesome varieties. There’s Rice Shape, Spaghetti, Angel Hair, and Fettuccine. All the varieties are delicious (and you can swap them in any of our low carb recipes), but the Rice Shape is particularly nice for this teriyaki salmon bowl.

Order It’s Skinny on our website in a convenient pack. If you’re indecisive, opt for the organic variety pack, which gives you each type. Play around, have fun, and see how you can reinvent low carb cooking your way!

QUESTIONS ABOUT TERIYAKI SALMON

Have questions about this dish? We believe the kitchen is a place for you to experiment and enjoy! You can mix it up and try new techniques and food. Break the rules!

That said, here are a few common questions that come up about this keto salmon recipe.

CAN I USE CHICKEN INSTEAD OF SALMON IN TERIYAKI?

You can use any protein you like in this dish, including chicken! Salmon fillets are very healthy and flavorful, but we get it! It's not for everyone! You could easily swap in a cubed chicken breast or thigh to make your own chicken teriyaki riff.

You could use cubes of tofu if you're seeking a vegetarian variety. Shrimp is always excellent here too. Any white fish, like tilapia, would be a healthy, delicious choice. If you want to go with a heartier protein, you could try chopped pork or beef. Teriyaki sauce will play nicely with almost any protein out there! You can also add sesame seeds for a little extra protein. If you like spice, kick it up with some sriracha sauce or a slice of rice vinegar. Top it with some fresh cilantro, too, if you prefer. No matter what, this easy keto teriyaki salmon is delicious.

NOT A FAN OF GREEN BEANS, CAN I USE A DIFFERENT VEGETABLE?

This salmon teriyaki is delicious with many different vegetables. You could try broccoli, sliced zucchini, brussels sprouts, green or red bell peppers, or cauliflower without drastically changing the carb count. If you have more room to play, you could enjoy it with carrots or snow peas.

Teriyaki salmon is delicious with edamame for an authentic Japanese option. It would also go well with sauteed bok choy, cabbage, or any leafy green like kale or spinach. The green onion and shallots could be swapped with any other onion variety. Use what you have hiding in your fridge. There's really no limit to the variety of veggies you can enjoy in a teriyaki dish—they all taste amazing!

COULD I USE NOODLES INSTEAD OF RICE SHAPE?

Some people prefer teriyaki noodles (check out our Thai Drunken Noodles for a similar flavor profile). You can easily swap out ANY variety of It’s Skinny Pasta with It’s Skinny Rice Shape. The calories and carb counts remain the same—ZERO net carbohydrates and only 9 calories per 2-serving pack.

If it’s your first time cooking with It’s Skinny, don’t worry. It’s so easy to use It’s Skinny products in your meals. Just tear open the package and drain the liquid. You can rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel if you like. Then add the It’s Skinny Rice Shape or Pasta to your dish at the end of cooking. Allow it to heat up for 2-3 minutes, and it’s ready. There’s no boiling water or stress!

HOW TO MAKE TERIYAKI SALMON WITH GREEN BEANS

Teriyaki salmon with green beans is easy to make and delicious. This complete meal comes together fast, so it's a perfect lunch or fast dinner. Salmon has plenty of filling protein. The marinade and green beans bring all kinds of flavor. If you have dietary restrictions, look for a gluten-free soy sauce or low-carb teriyaki sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container (if you have any), and enjoy this healthy recipe for lunch the next day!

WATCH CHEF MICHELE MAKE THIS QUICK AND EASY LOW-CARB TERIYAKI SALMON RECIPE ON YOUTUBE!