One Pot Lemon-Dill Miso Butter Salmon Rice

This One Pot Lemon-Dill Miso Butter Salmon Rice makes for an effortlessly complete meal! There’s nothing that beats miso, butter, and salmon. For this one-pot rice, we’re mixing this classic Hokkaido flavor combo with a lemon-dill twist for a bright umami flavor that you’ll crave again and again. This Japanese fusion mixed rice is rich, fun to eat, and incredibly flavorful. Bonus, the leftovers are so easy to pack for tomorrow’s lunch!

Salmon Rice with Herby Lemon Miso Butter

If you’re too lazy for extra dishes, but still want comfy Japanese flavors, make this Miso Butter Salmon Rice. This recipe is my take on a classic Japanese Salmon Mixed Rice, with a bit of a Western twist. This pot of umami, dashi-infused rice is topped with fatty Salmon and mixed mushrooms that have soaked up all that bright, herby miso butter.

This recipe is the classic Hokkaido combination of salmon, miso, and butter. It uses the Japanese Takikomi Gohan 炊き込みご飯 technique, where the rice is cooked in the pot with all the other ingredients. This means the rice soaks up all the goodness directly as it cooks. Of course, you can use these same ingredients for the rice cooker. However, over the stovetop, the rice sometimes gets that slightly crispy layer on bottom, also called “guoba” 鍋巴 in Chinese.

One Pot Salmon Miso Rice Ingredients

Skinless Salmon Filet

Salmon is rich in omega‑3s, high‑quality protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium, which together support heart and brain health, reduce inflammation, and help maintain strong muscles. In this recipe, we’re pan frying in the pot first to release the fat. Once the rice and mushrooms are cooked, we add the salmon back in.

The salmon steaks we’re using today are skinless, center‑cut fillets from the fish section at the market, about 150 g each. To make sure I don’t keep biting into bone, I sometimes will pull out the leftover bones in the filets with tweezers. Before seasoning, also make sure to pat it dry so the salt and pepper will absorb better.

Mixed Mushrooms & Other Toppings

Shimeji and shiitake mushrooms are my go‑tos here because they bring juicy texture and big umami that soaks right into the rice as it cooks. To prepare mushrooms before cooking, I make sure to snap off the stems and rinse off all the dirt. I usually thinly slice the shiitake, then pull the shimeji mushrooms apart.

If you don’t have them, don’t stress. Just use what’s in your fridge! This recipe still tastes great with other mushrooms like enoki, oyster, or maitake. Or, try other veggies like cabbage, corn, or peas.

Lemon-Dill Miso Butter Sauce

The Lemon-Dill Miso Butter Sauce I’m using for this rice bowl is actually what gives this dish life. Miso Butter is obviously a classic flavor for pairing with Salmon, just like my Air Fryer Miso Butter Salmon. It’s savory, and super rich. This miso butter sauce keeps the salmon and ingredients saturated with flavor!

I’m switching up this combo with extra lemon juice fresh chives, and fresh dill. They all go well with salmon in Western cuisine, Mixed with miso butter, it’s a whole new level of umami. This sauce combo really brightens up the whole dish!

Step By Step Instructions For Salmon Miso Rice

1. Pan-fry the salmon: Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. In a pot over medium heat, pan-fry for 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add mushrooms and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
3. Add rice & seasoning: Add the rice directly into the pot and season with soy sauce and black pepper. Mix well to coat each grain in the flavorful oil.
4. Cook the rice: Pour in the stock and gently place the salmon back on top. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.
5. Make miso butter: While the rice cooks, warm up the lemon juice, then add in cold butter, mix well until butter is fully melted, then mix in miso paste, chives, and fresh dill until smooth. Taste to season with more salt if needed. 
6. Finish & serve: Once the rice is done, drizzle the miso butter over the salmon and rice. Gently mix everything together.

One Pot Salmon Rice FAQ