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+ servings

Sesame Salmon Rice Bowls

Healthy, colorful, gluten & dairy free salmon rice bowl with veggies. Customize to fit your needs and tastes. Fast & easy to double to feed additional peeps.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon + Marinade
  • 1 lb salmon (1 lb max; anything 3/4 - 1 lb will work) Sockeye or Coho may require less cooking than Atlantic or King, so start checking after 5 minutes
  • 1/4 cup tamari or shoyu
  • 1 tbsp chili-garlic oil or sub Sriracha
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar seasoned rice vinegar is fine also
  • 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • small squeeze or touch of honey
Pickled Cucumbers
  • 1 hot house or Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar seasoned or unseasoned
  • 1 tsp sesame oil toasted or regular
  • pinch salt if needed
Rice
  • 1.5 c rice (follow package directions and water quantity based on type of rice you're using. I have used Jasmine and also ready rice)
  • 1.5 c water
  • sea sat to taste
Additional Veggies
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 2-3 radishes, thinly sliced optional, or use instead of carrot
  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced also optional

Method
 

  1. Rinse the salmon filet and pat dry with a paper towel.
  2. Cut the salmon into one inch cubes.
  3. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the tamari, chili-garlic sauce (you could also use Sriracha), grated ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and garlic powder. Add salmon cubes and toss to coat; marinate at room temp for 10-30 minutes. I usually toss it a couple more times while marinating.
  4. Make pickled cukes: Slice cucumber thinly and toss with a little sesame oil and seasoned rice vinegar (may also need a few cranks of salt). Put in the fridge and toss occasionally.
  5. Make rice: Rinse your rice in a strainer under cold water until water runs clear.
  6. Follow directions on package depending on what type of rice and how you're making it. I used an Instant Pot 1:1 rice to water and set on high for 5 minutes.
  7. If using cauliflower rice, place a small head of cauli in food processor and process into rice-sized grains, then olive oil a skillet and cook "rice" until slightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add sea salt to taste.
  8. Grate carrot and slice radish and avocado if using. Set aside.
  9. After salmon has marinated, set oven to broil with rack in upper 1/3 of oven.
  10. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment.
  11. Turn on oven to broil and set rack in upper third of oven.
  12. Arrange salmon skin side up on baking sheet and broil for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and skin is crispy. Remove from oven.
Arrange Bowls
  1. Divide rice evenly among bowls.
  2. Arrange salmon next to rice.
  3. Fan cucumber out across from salmon (see pic for inspo)
  4. Add grated carrot, radish, avocado.
  5. Top with optional toppings: sesame seeds (toast them in a dry skillet if you're fancy), furikake, green onion, cilantro, whatever you fancy. Use tamari or Sriracha if desired.
  6. Enjoy!

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