Salmon Bowl: Quick and Healthy Dinner in 20 Minutes Recipe

ByLila Prescott
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Introduction

This easy and healthy salmon bowl is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Ready in just 20 minutes, it combines tender marinated salmon with fresh veggies and fluffy rice for a flavorful and nutritious meal.

A blue bowl filled with a layer of white rice covering half the bowl, topped on one section with seven grilled salmon chunks that have a shiny orange glaze, sprinkled with white sesame seeds and a drizzle of bright orange sauce, garnished with small green herb pieces. To the right of the salmon, there is a neat layer of six cucumber slices sprinkled with black sesame seeds. Below the salmon, there is a section of small green edamame beans, next to it a pile of shredded bright orange carrots, and to the lower left are small cubes of avocado sprinkled with black sesame seeds. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a pair of wooden chopsticks resting near the edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 12oz (340g) salmon fillets
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Small cube fresh ginger
  • 1 cup cooked white rice or quinoa
  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 1 medium carrot
  • ½ cup frozen edamame beans
  • ½ avocado
  • Optional garnish: spicy mayo, sriracha aioli, sesame seeds, or green onions

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice the salmon into large cubes about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size. Remove the skin and any bones carefully.
  2. Step 2: In a container, combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, and grated ginger to make the marinade. Mix well.
  3. Step 3: Add the salmon cubes to the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly. Let it marinate for 10 minutes or up to a few hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
  4. Step 4: While the salmon is marinating, prepare the vegetables: slice the cucumber, shred the carrot, dice the avocado, and defrost the edamame by rinsing under cold water.
  5. Step 5: Choose your cooking method:
    1. Pan Fry: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a light drizzle of oil. Place salmon cubes in a single layer without touching. Cook for 5–7 minutes, turning halfway and pouring leftover marinade over the salmon.
    2. Air Fryer: Preheat to 390℉ (200℃) and spray the basket with olive oil. Arrange salmon cubes in a single layer. Air fry for 5–8 minutes depending on desired doneness, flipping halfway and brushing with leftover marinade.
  6. Step 6: Assemble the bowl by arranging cooked rice or quinoa, vegetables, avocado, and edamame decoratively. Top with cooked salmon and optional garnishes like sriracha aioli or extra marinade sauce. Enjoy immediately!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra crunch, add toasted sesame seeds or chopped nuts to the bowl.
  • Swap white rice for brown rice or cauliflower rice to keep it lighter.
  • Marinate the salmon longer for bolder flavor, but not more than 4 hours to maintain texture.
  • Try adding pickled ginger or a squeeze of lime for a bright contrast.

Storage

Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Cooked salmon and vegetables can be kept for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to avoid overcooking. Assemble fresh bowls before serving for best texture.

How to Serve

The dish is served in a round white bowl with a blue textured inside, placed on a white marbled surface. It has a base layer of white rice on one half of the bowl. At the top center on the rice are seven pieces of grilled salmon with a reddish-brown color, topped with white sesame seeds and a drizzle of orange sauce. To the right of the salmon, there are six thin slices of cucumber sprinkled with black sesame seeds, arranged in an overlapping row. Below the cucumber on the right side is a small mound of shredded bright orange carrots. To the lower left of the carrots, there is a pile of green edamame beans. Above the edamame and below the salmon on the left side, there are light green, cubed avocado pieces also topped with black sesame seeds. Two wooden chopsticks rest on the bottom left edge of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw it completely and pat dry before marinating to ensure even cooking and proper flavor absorption.

Is it necessary to marinate the salmon?

Marinating enhances flavor but you can skip or shorten it if pressed for time. The salmon will still be tasty when cooked with a simple seasoning.

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Salmon Bowl: Quick and Healthy Dinner in 20 Minutes Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 68 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat
Print Recipe

Description

This easy and healthy Salmon Bowl recipe combines tender marinated salmon with fresh vegetables and a base of rice or quinoa, perfect for a nutritious dinner ready in just 20 minutes. Featuring a flavorful soy and honey marinade, the salmon can be cooked either on the stovetop or in an air fryer, making it a versatile and delicious meal option.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Marinade

  • 12 oz / 340 g salmon fillets
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • Small cube fresh ginger, grated

Base and Vegetables

  • 1 cup cooked white rice or quinoa
  • 1 medium cucumber, sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • ½ cup frozen edamame beans, defrosted
  • ½ avocado, diced

Optional Garnish

  • Spicy mayo or sriracha aioli
  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salmon: Slice the salmon into large cubes approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in size, removing the skin and any bones to ensure bite-sized pieces perfect for the bowl.
  2. Make the marinade: In a container, mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, and grated fresh ginger until combined. Optionally, reserve half the marinade for serving as a sauce later.
  3. Marinate the salmon: Add the salmon cubes to the marinade and gently toss until fully coated. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to a few hours in the refrigerator to enhance the flavor.
  4. Prepare vegetables: While the salmon marinates, slice the cucumber, shred the carrot, dice the avocado, and defrost the frozen edamame by rinsing under cold water in a colander. Set aside.
  5. Cook the salmon (choose a method):
  6. Pan Fry Method: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a light drizzle of oil or oil spray. Arrange salmon cubes in a single layer without touching. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, and drizzle with leftover marinade for added flavor.
  7. Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place salmon pieces in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Air fry for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway and brushing with leftover marinade to keep them moist.
  8. Assemble the bowl: Arrange cooked rice or quinoa at the base of the bowl. Decoratively place the prepared cucumber, carrot, avocado, and edamame around the bowl. Top with cooked salmon pieces, drizzle with optional sriracha aioli or reserved marinade sauce, and sprinkle with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
  9. Serve: Enjoy your delicious, nutritious Salmon Bowl immediately for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Marinate the salmon for longer if you have time to deepen the flavor.
  • You can substitute white rice with quinoa or brown rice for a healthier option.
  • The recipe is versatile for cooking by pan frying or air frying based on your kitchen equipment.
  • Optional garnishes like spicy mayo or sriracha aioli add a nice kick but can be omitted for a milder flavor.
  • To defrost edamame quickly, run under cold water in a colander rather than microwaving.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Keywords: salmon bowl, healthy dinner, easy salmon recipe, soy honey marinade, quick salmon meal, air fryer salmon, pan fried salmon, nutritious dinner bowl

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