For our September 2025 JOC Cooking Challenge, we’ll be cooking a beloved Japanese homestyle dish that’s simple, nourishing, and the ultimate weeknight hero.

A Japanese meal set with two trays, each featuring foil-baked salmon with vegetables, rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki, pickles, sliced tomato, watermelon, and various small side dishes, all arranged neatly on a wooden table.

As we welcome a new month—and a new season for many of us—I’d love for you to join this quarter’s cooking challenge! In fact, this recipe is one of my all-time favorites for those busy weeknights when I need to get a wholesome meal on the table fast.

This Month’s Recipe Challenge: Salmon in Foil

Light, healthy, and flavorful, Salmon in Foil is a classic homestyle dish from Japan. The preparation couldn’t be easier: Layer salmon with fresh vegetables, wrap everything up in foil, and let it steam gently in a pan.

The result? Perfectly tender salmon that stays moist, infused with flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes!

As one reader put it: “It’s the perfect weeknight meal.” I couldn’t agree more—and I think you’ll love it too.

Plant-based options: Please make my Miso Butter Mushrooms in Foil recipe instead.

A Japanese meal set with grilled salmon in foil with lemon and vegetables, rice, miso soup with tofu, pickled greens, tamagoyaki, cabbage, watermelon, tomato, and soy sauce, all served on a wooden tray.

The Prizes!

This contest is open to everyone worldwide. We will randomly select 3 winners at the end of the challenge. Each winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card.

Everyone who has completed the submission for the JOC Cooking Challenge is automatically entered into the prize draw.

Please note that we will NOT select winners based on the creations, but you need to make sure your submission meets the scope of the recipe.

Before You Start Cooking

  • Be sure to read through the full recipe post first before cooking. I’ve included tips, variations, and customization ideas so you can make it your own.
  • If you have recipe-specific questions, please leave them in the comments on the recipe post. For any questions about the challenge itself, please leave your comment below. We’re here to help!
A hand pours sauce over baked salmon with lemon, mushrooms, and veggies in foil. Surrounding dishes include rice, salad, soup, watermelon, and tomato on a wooden table.

How to Join the JOC Cooking Challenge

Make Salmon in Foil and follow the recipe as closely as possible so your final dish will look similar to mine.

To enter for your chance to win the prize (only one entry per person), please complete the following two steps:

  1. Email us your picture. Send one picture of your final dish via email (contest@justonecookbook.com) before 12 pm PST on September 30, 2025, and;
  2. Leave a (honest) star rating and feedback on the Salmon in Foil recipe post (or Miso Butter Mushrooms in Foil for plant-based). Use the same email address as your photo submission. We’d love to hear about your fun cooking moments, kitchen mishaps, or any challenges and feedback you encounter along the way. We know sharing takes an extra step, and we truly appreciate your time and insights!

Make sure to follow these two steps to complete your submission!

Feel free to share your picture on social media and tag us @justonecookbook. I can’t wait to see your creations.

The Prize Winners

  • Emily J
  • Sonoe S
  • Anita A

Congratulations! We contacted the winners via email.

Readers’ Photo Submissions (97 Entries)

A collage of 12 images showing various fish and vegetable dishes, mostly baked or steamed in foil, some garnished with lemon slices or herbs, and a few served with rice and soup.
A collage of twelve images shows various salmon dishes cooked with vegetables, often wrapped in foil, and garnished with lemon slices or herbs. Some images include sides like rice or salad, and meals are plated or served in bowls.
A collage of twelve photos shows various foil-baked fish dishes, each garnished with lemon slices, herbs, and vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and asparagus, displayed on plates or baking trays.
A collage of twelve images shows different stages and variations of fish fillets, mostly topped with sliced vegetables, mushrooms, and lemon, prepared and baked in foil, with some shots on plates or in bowls.
A collage of twelve images shows various foil-baked fish dishes, each garnished with lemon slices, herbs, and vegetables, accompanied by rice, salads, or citrus fruits on the side.
A collage of various foil-baked fish dishes, each garnished with sliced lemon and vegetables, displayed on plates or in foil, alongside bowls of rice, salads, and other side dishes.
A collage of twelve photos shows various foil-baked fish dishes, each topped with vegetables, mushrooms, and lemon slices, arranged in different settings with some sides like rice and soup visible.
A collage of various baked salmon dishes in foil, each topped with lemon slices, vegetables like carrots and mushrooms, and accompanied by side dishes such as rice, salad, and sauces.
A fillet of salmon in aluminum foil topped with two lemon slices and surrounded by strips of carrot, ready to be cooked.

Past Cooking Challenges & Recipes

This is a quarterly online event on Just One Cookbook. We host the challenge in March, June, September, and December. We’d love for you to join us in each challenge! To receive the updates, be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.