As a health-conscious foodie, I’m always on the lookout for meals that are both delicious and nourishing. One dish that’s become a regular in my meal planning is the salmon bowl. It’s the perfect balance of tender salmon, fresh veggies, and fluffy rice, leaving me feeling satisfied and energized.
Recently, I discovered the BEST salmon bowl recipe, and it’s quickly become one of my go-to meals. This recipe is quick to make, packed with healthy ingredients, and full of bold flavors. Here’s why it’s my new favorite:
The Star: Teriyaki Salmon
The teriyaki salmon fillet is the true highlight of this dish. Whether you cook it in the air fryer, grill it, or bake it in the oven, the result is always perfect. The salmon turns out crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, thanks to a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce. Made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and spices, the sauce strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, giving the salmon an irresistible flavor.
Creating the Ultimate Salmon Bowl
To build your salmon bowl, start with a bed of rice and top it with the teriyaki salmon. From there, the fun begins with the toppings. You can get creative and add ingredients like avocado, cucumber, mango, edamame, green onions, and cilantro for a fresh, colorful twist. But feel free to personalize it with your favorite veggies like bell peppers, broccolini, or zucchini.
If you’re looking for a low-carb option, simply swap the rice for cauliflower rice, and for a vegetarian twist, tofu works wonderfully as a substitute for salmon.
Flavorful Variations to Try
Here are two exciting variations that take the salmon bowl to the next level:
Hot Honey Crispy Salmon Bowls
These Hot Honey Crispy Salmon Bowls are perfect for weeknight dinners. Start by roasting the salmon until it’s crispy and flavorful, then toss it in a homemade hot honey sauce, made with honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and chipotle chili powder for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
The avocado salsa adds a refreshing element with diced avocados, serrano or jalapeño peppers, cilantro, dill, feta cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. And to tie everything together, drizzle a creamy cilantro ranch dressing over the top. This dressing, made with cilantro, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), mayo, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper, brings an herbaceous, tangy flavor that complements the salmon perfectly.
Spicy Salmon Bowls
If you’re craving a homemade version of sushi bowls, these Spicy Salmon Bowls will hit the spot. The salmon is cooked with sesame oil and seasoned with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, and oregano for a burst of flavor. The highlight is the spicy mayo sauce—a creamy blend of Kewpie mayo, Sriracha, and honey that adds a fiery kick.
To assemble these bowls, start with sushi rice, and top it with sliced avocado, julienned carrots, cucumber, scallions, and salmon caviar. For an authentic sushi experience, flavor the rice with unseasoned rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Garnish with black sesame seeds for extra texture.
FAQ
Is the salmon bowl recipe quick to make?
Yes, this salmon bowl is quick and easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for a healthy meal.
What makes the salmon bowl healthy?
The salmon bowl is packed with nutritious ingredients like avocado, cucumber, mango, and edamame. You can also customize it with other veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, and more.
How is the teriyaki salmon cooked?
You can cook the teriyaki salmon in an air fryer, grill it, or bake it in the oven. The air fryer works particularly well for getting crispy skin while keeping the fish tender inside.
What’s in the teriyaki sauce?
The teriyaki sauce is made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, and aromatic spices, giving the dish its sweet and savory flavor.
Can the recipe be customized?
Absolutely! You can add more veggies, swap the rice for cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or replace the salmon with tofu for a vegetarian version.
How do you make hot honey crispy salmon bowls?
Start by roasting the salmon and tossing it in a homemade hot honey sauce. Assemble the bowl with rice, avocado salsa, crispy salmon, asparagus, and a creamy cilantro ranch dressing.
What’s in the hot honey sauce?
The hot honey sauce is made by warming honey with hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and chipotle chili powder, resulting in a sweet and spicy flavor.
What’s in the avocado salsa?
The avocado salsa includes diced avocado, serrano or jalapeño peppers, cilantro, dill, feta cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice for a fresh and zesty topping.
How is the creamy cilantro ranch dressing made?
The cilantro ranch dressing combines cilantro, basil, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), mayo, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Can the hot honey crispy salmon bowls be customized?
Yes, feel free to add extra toppings like toasted seeds or nori strips for additional flavor and texture.
What’s special about the spicy salmon bowls?
These bowls offer a homemade sushi-inspired dish with seasoned and skillet-cooked salmon. The spicy mayo sauce brings a creamy, fiery element to the bowls.
What’s in the sauce for the spicy salmon bowls?
The sauce is a spicy mayo blend of Kewpie mayo, Sriracha sauce, and honey, giving the dish a perfect balance of creaminess and heat.
What are the ingredients in the sushi bowls?
The sushi bowls include sushi rice, sliced avocado, julienned carrots, cucumber, scallions, salmon caviar, and spicy mayo sauce.
How can the rice be flavored for sushi bowls?
Flavor the rice with a mixture of unseasoned rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for an authentic sushi bowl experience.
Can additional toppings be added to the spicy salmon bowls?
Yes, you can add black sesame seeds for texture, or other toppings of your choice to personalize your bowl.
Whether you’re craving a classic teriyaki salmon bowl, a spicy sushi-inspired version, or a sweet and savory hot honey bowl, these recipes offer endless possibilities for creating a satisfying and health-conscious meal.
Teriyaki Salmon Bowls
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 mango, sliced
- 1/4 cup edamame
- Green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven, grill, or air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, and ginger powder to make the teriyaki sauce.
- Brush the salmon fillets with the teriyaki sauce and let them marinate for about 10-15 minutes.
- Cook the salmon fillets according to your preferred method:
- Air fryer: Place the salmon in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes until crispy on the outside and cooked through.
- Oven: Bake the salmon on a baking sheet for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Grill: Grill the salmon for about 4-5 minutes per side.
- While the salmon cooks, prepare the rice and set aside.
- Once the salmon is cooked, remove from heat and flake it into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the bowls by layering cooked rice, avocado, cucumber, mango, and edamame.
- Top with flaked salmon, garnish with green onions and cilantro, and drizzle any remaining teriyaki sauce over the bowl.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!