Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe

|
ByHui Yin

Looking for a quick and delicious meal packed with flavor? This Spicy Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe is the perfect option for lunch or dinner. Inspired by popular sushi bowls, this simple recipe combines tender salmon, spicy mayo, fresh vegetables like avocado and pickled cucumber, and a dash of sesame seeds for a satisfying bite every time. Check it out!

Spicy Salmon Rice Bowls Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 pound salmon fillets (skin removed)
  • 2 1/2 cups short-grain rice (white rice such as sushi rice)
  • 4 Persian cucumbers (thinly sliced)
  • 1 avocado (sliced)
  • 1/2 jalapeño (chopped)
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar(divided)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice or lemon juice (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish

How to Make Spicy Salmon Bowls

  1. Cook rice using a rice cooker or over the stove according to the packaged directions, whichever you prefer. 
  2. As the rice cooks, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. 
  4. Slice the salmon into cubes. Place the salmon pieces in a large bowl.
  5. Make the marinade for the cubed salmon fillet. In a small bowl, stir together low-sodium soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, rice vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, honey, sriracha, salt, and pepper.
  6. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the marinade and then pour the rest over the salmon in the bowl. Ensure that the salmon cubes are coated evenly. 
  7. Dump the salmon onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them out in a single layer. 
  8. Bake the salmon until just cooked through or lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
  9. As the salmon cooks, make the spicy mayo. In a small bowl, combine sriracha, mayonnaise, and sesame oil. Stir to combine, then set aside.
  10. Make a quick pickled cucumber salad. In a small bowl, add the Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced avocado, carrots, rice vinegar, lime juice, green onion slices, cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Mix together. 
  11. Once the salmon is done cooking, take the baking sheet out of the oven.
  12. It’s time to assemble the Spicy Salmon Rice Bowls. Fill a medium bowl with the cooked rice, top with the salmon cubes, add the pickled cucumbers next, then a drizzle of sesame oil. Add a drizzle of the homemade spicy mayo, then a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. 
  13. Serve.

Spicy Salmon Bowl Recipe Tips

  • Cooking rice using a cooker is the preferred method for this rice bowl recipe as it ensures the rice grains are cooked perfectly. 
  • No oven? No problem! You can still make delicious Spicy Salmon Bowls over the stove. Simply sear the salmon with avocado oil or any neutral oil on medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side until cooked through. Assemble the salmon bowls in the same way indicated in the recipe.
  • Rice vinegar and rice wine vinegar are the same thing. You can use them interchangeably in this Spicy Salmon Bowl recipe. 
  • Regular soy sauce is fine to use as well if you don’t have low-sodium soy sauce. For a gluten-free soy sauce substitute, use tamari. 
  • Sushi rice or other kinds of short-grain white rice is preferred for this Spicy Salmon Bowl recipe but you may also use other types of rice like brown rice and cauliflower rice. 
  • Making your own spicy mayo is ideal as you can adjust the spiciness according to your paste. But of course, you can always buy pre-made spicy mayo in the grocery store. 
  • This Spicy Salmon Rice Bowls recipe uses Persian cucumbers but you may also use English cucumber (thinly sliced). 
  • Sesame oil adds a smoky flavor to the Spicy Salmon Bowls. 
  • No sriracha? Use hot sauce instead. 
  • Other options for garnish include shelled edamame, black and white sesame seeds, snap peas, pickled red onions, radish slices, kimchi, nori, and others. 
  • When buying your salmon fillets, ask the fishmonger at the seafood counter to remove the salmon skin. 
  • Aside from slicing the salmon fillets into cubes by yourself, you can also buy pre-sliced salmon cubes instead to make it easier. 
  • Have leftover salmon, avocado, and spicy mayo? Whip up more salmon recipes like seared salmon tacos or grilled salmon sandwiches.

Final Note

Serve your Spicy Salmon Bowl warm or at room temperature. The combination of the rich salmon, creamy avocado, and crunchy pickled cucumbers, all tied together with the fiery mayo, makes this an irresistible and balanced bowl.

This dish is perfect for weeknights when you want a satisfying and healthy meal without too much fuss. Whether you’re a fan of rice bowls or just love a good salmon bowl, this is a great recipe to add to your rotation.

For more delicious rice recipes, browse through our collection.

Hui Yin moved from Hong Kong 🇭🇰 to the USA 🇺🇸 when she was just 8 years old. Now in her late 20's she enjoys writing and taking long walks in the park to burn off the copious amounts of rice she eats for dinner.