A Salmon Bowl is the BEST way to dinner when made with fresh tasty ingredients and made in under 20 minutes. Incredibly delicious Salmon Bites loaded over rice, veggies and a hefty spicy mayo on top. If you’ve loved our Poke Bowls, get ready to Love our Salmon Bowls!
This Salmon bowl is inspired by the many wonderful bowls and salmon recipes on our site which you have LOVED! Something like Sushi Burrito which has turned into the best Sushi Bowl. This latest and greatest Poke Bowl which we’ve made using fresh tuna.
Our other Mediterranean inspired bowls like the Falafel Bowl and Pita Bowl–YUM! And who can forget a Fajita Bowl for a zesty dinner. Bowls are super fun, easy, versatile and totally customizable way to dinner. We can’t get enough!
This Salmon Bowl today is made in less than 20 minutes thanks to the genius Air Fryer Salmon Bites. Succulent on the inside and crisp salmon bites with a balanced spice in the air fryer, ready in less than 8 minutes.
There are so many other Salmon Recipes you can use for this bowl. We chose the bites as they’re quick and easy. You can opt for a raw sushi grade salmon mixture like the Sushi Burrito.
What is a Salmon Bowl
A salmon bowl is one of the most effective modern meals, combining quality protein, structured carbs, healthy fats, and layered textures into a single, customizable dish.
But the difference between an average bowl and a restaurant level salmon bowl comes down to the composition. A salmon bowl is a composed meal built from:
- Cooked salmon (baked, air fried, grilled, or seared)
- A base (rice, grains, or greens)
- Vegetables and toppings
- A sauce or dressing
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Bowl
- It’s TASTY! Like really delicious combo of salmon, rice and veggies with a Spicy Mayo.
- This bowl is healthy and nutritious so it’s a filling meal too.
- The recipe comes together in 20 minutes–like how amazing is this?! Our Air Fryer Salmon Bites are the trick!
- You can make the salmon bowl with a spicy salmon mix similar to our Sushi Bowl.
- If you prefer using chicken, Steak Bites, or even tofu, you can totally customize it.
- While we love our Spicy Mayo for this recipe, our Garlic Parmesan Sauce would be phenomenal too! YUM!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Salmon. We love our Air Fryer Salmon Bites for this recipe, it creates the perfect bite size salmon pieces for the bowl. The 1-inch chunks of salmon cook in less than 10 minutes so it’s a win win. Be sure to use salmon skin on or remove the skin.
- Rice. Any cooked white rice is great, store bought sushi rice is also great. Our Sushi Burrito guides you into making sushi rice at home in easy steps. Jasmine rice, brown rice are also great options. You can also use quinoa.
- Avocado. Buttery and creamy, it adds the perfect luscious feel to the bowls.
- Cucumbers. Bright and refreshing in a salmon bowl. You can use broccoli, raw or Frozen Broccoli In Air Fryer.
- Carrots. Colorful and bright with a touch of sweetness, we use shredded carrots here. You can also use mango as we did with our Sushi Bowl.
- Spicy Mayo. Nothing beats homemade sriracha mayo, unless you’re tight on time, use store bought. Other condiments include soy sauce, rice vinegar .
- Green onions. For texture and taste. You can use other veggies like bell pepper.
- Seaweed. We love cutting them up into thin shreds to spread them all over and have the flavors infuse every bite.
- Sesame Seeds. They add the perfect texture when sprinkled a the top.
- Kimchi. Completely optional and can be substituted by pickled ginger. The tang is perfect.
How to Make A Salmon Bowl
Once you have your salmon cooked, rice cooked, veggies chopped, these bowls are as easy as assembling them below.
We use our Air Fryer Salmon Bites cut into cubes and requires no marinade, just some kosher salt, seasoning and olive oil. Then cooked for 7-9 minutes in the air fryer for perfect golden-brown salmon.
- Start by layering the cooked rice at the bottom of the bowl, make it feel like a bed of rice. We optionally added some spinach leaves for texture and to make it more nutritious.
- Arrange the veggies over the rice, like cucumbers, avocados, kimchi and carrots. Make sure to leave the center for the salmon.
- Also keep the bowl ingredients in a single layer.
- Just as with our Poke Bowl and Sushi Bowl, we’ve found that adding the hero item in the middle of the bowl is optimal. That way you get to taste it with every bite!
- Now add in the Air Fryer Salmon Bites, some seaweed shreds, the green onions and kimchi if you’re using. You can also add pickled ginger or edamame or your favorite ingredients.
- The best way to finish off a salmon bowl is to drizzle with a sauce. While we have used out homemade Spicy Mayo, you can use any. Teriyaki sauce works great here. Garlic Parmesan Sauce or even Tartar Sauce Recipe goes great. A simple yet amazing Hot Honey Recipe can’t go wrong.
- A final sprinkle of sesame seeds adds texture to the plate. You can try toasted sesame, white sesame or a combo of white and black sesame. You can also try toasted Panko on top.
- And just like that your salmon bowl is ready to enjoy!
Expert Tips for Salmon Rice Bowl
- You can use Baked Salmon, Grilled Salmon or Pan Seared Salmon for this recipe. However we’ve found that Air Fryer Salmon Bites are the best toppers for bowls, and of course the quickest.
- Prepare the sushi rice according to this recipe here with the Sushi Burrito, or use store bought.
- Prepare the veggies and ingredients you love for these bowls ahead of time.
- Make ahead: Assemble the salmon bowls and keep them in the fridge, covered for upto 3 days. Drizzle the sauce only before serving. You will eat them cold in this case.
- To Make ahead and enjoy warm: Prep all ingredients and store them separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the salmon, and rice in the air fryer and microwave. Assemble right before serving.
- Leftovers of this salmon bowl make the best Sushi Burrito! Simple roll the leftovers in to a burrito and enjoy for lunch!
- To make the bowls low carb: Use cauliflower rice or greens only.
- For a vegan/vegetarian bowl: Use Tofu instead of salmon.
- Use a sauce to finish off the fish, it makes a huge difference! Spicy Mayo is out favorite, but you can also use Garlic Parmesan Sauce or Teriyaki sauce to make a teriyaki salmon bowl. Spice it up with Hot Honey Recipe or even something super spicy like. Hot Pepper Sauce.
Salmon Bowl Variations
- Mediterranean Salmon Bowl: Olive oil, herbs, vegetables
- Poke Salmon Bowl: Raw or lightly cooked salmon
- Low Carb Salmon Bowl: Use greens instead of grains
- High Protein Bowl: Extra eggs, legumes
- Grain Bowl: Try quinoaor couscous
- Best for meal prep: grain based bowls
- Whole meal for dinner: warm salmon, veggies and rice
- Light for summer: fresh and light based bowls with a Mango Pico De Gallo or Pineapple Salsa.
Salmon Bowl vs Poke Bowl
- Salmon bowl is usually made with cooked fish
- Poke is made with raw fish most of the time.
Buddha Bowl vs Salmon Bowl
- Salmon bowl is mostly protein focused
- Buddha bowl is usually plant based and plant focused
Why Is My Salmon Dry
It was most likely overcooked, make sure to follow our guide for Air Fryer Salmon Bites
What if my Bowl is Bland
You didn’t add enough sauces and condiments.
If It feels Too heavy
You most likely added too much salmon, avocado and heavy fats without enough acidic balance form lemon or lime juices.
Why is My Bowl Watery
You used vegetables that were not dried
Storage & Reheating
- Store components separately in an airtight container and assemble fresh
- Reheat the salmon gently if you need to, and always avoid overheating.
- We don’t recommend the microwave for reheating at all.
What goes in a salmon bowl?
Salmon, a base (rice or greens), vegetables, and a sauce.
Is a salmon bowl healthy?
Yes it’s high in protein and healthy fats.
Can I meal prep salmon bowls?
Yes, but store components separately.
What sauce goes best?
Depends on the flavor you want. An exotic Harissa Aioli, creamy tahini, or Asian style like Spicy Mayo.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, if properly thawed and dried.
More Salmon Recipes
Smoked Salmon Dip
Honey Glazed Salmon
Miso Salmon
Salmon Tacos
How to Cook Salmon
Sweet Chili Salmon
Salmon Tartare
Air Fryer Salmon
Sockeye Salmon With Lemon Butter Sauce
Salmon Bowl
A Salmon Bowl is the BEST way to dinner when made with fresh tasty ingredients and made in under 20 minutes. Incredibly delicious Salmon Bites loaded over rice, veggies and a hefty spicy mayo on top. If you've loved our Poke Bowls, get ready to Love our Salmon Bowls!
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
Bowls
- 1 cup cooked rice Sushi Rice Recipe HERE
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 Cucumber small cucumbers, sliced
- 1 carrot shredded
- 2 avocados sliced
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1/2 cup kimchi
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup Spicy Mayo We use our homemade recipe here
Instructions
-
Once you have your Salmon cooked, rice cooked, veggies chopped, these bowls are as easy as ever to assemble.
-
Start by layering the cooked rice at the bottom of the bowl. We optionally added some spinach leaves for texture and to make it more nutritious.
-
Arrange the veggies over the rice, like cucumbers, avocados, kimchi and carrots. Make sure to leave the center for the salmon. That way you get to taste it with every bite!
-
Now add in the Air Fryer Salmon Bites, some seaweed shreds, the green onions and kimchi if you're using. You can also add pickled ginger or edamame or your favorite ingredients.
-
The best way to finish off a salmon bowl is to drizzle with a sauce. While we have used out homemade Spicy Mayo, you can use any. Teriyaki sauce works great here. Garlic Parmesan Sauce or even Tartar Sauce Recipe goes great. A simple yet amazing Hot Honey Recipe can't go wrong.
-
A final sprinkle of sesame seeds adds texture to the plate. You can try toasted sesame, white sesame or a combo of white and black sesame. You can also try toasted Panko on top.
-
And just like that your salmon bowl is ready to enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Expert Tips for Salmon Rice Bowl
- You can use Baked Salmon, Grilled Salmon or Pan Seared Salmon for this recipe. However we've found that Air Fryer Salmon Bites are the best toppers for bowls, and of course the quickest.
- Prepare the sushi rice according to this recipe here with the Sushi Burrito, or use store bought.
- Prepare the veggies and ingredients you love for these bowls ahead of time.
- Make ahead: Assemble the salmon bowls and keep them in the fridge, covered for upto 3 days. Drizzle the sauce only before serving. You will eat them cold in this case.
- To Make ahead and enjoy warm: Prep all ingredients and store them separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the salmon, and rice in the air fryer and microwave. Assemble right before serving.
- Leftovers of this salmon bowl make the best Sushi Burrito! Simple roll the leftovers in to a burrito and enjoy for lunch!
- To make the bowls low carb: Use cauliflower rice or greens only.
- For a vegan/vegetarian bowl: Use Tofu instead of salmon.
- Use a sauce to finish off the fish, it makes a huge difference! Spicy Mayo is out favorite, but you can also use Garlic Parmesan Sauce or Teriyaki sauce to make a teriyaki salmon bowl. Spice it up with Hot Honey Recipe or even something super spicy like. Hot Pepper Sauce.
Salmon Bowl Variations
- Mediterranean Salmon Bowl: Olive oil, herbs, vegetables
- Poke Salmon Bowl: Raw or lightly cooked salmon
- Low Carb Salmon Bowl: Use greens instead of grains
- High Protein Bowl: Extra eggs, legumes
- Grain Bowl: Try quinoaor couscous
- Best for meal prep: grain based bowls
- Whole meal for dinner: warm salmon, veggies and rice
- Light for summer: fresh and light based bowls with a Mango Pico De Gallo or Pineapple Salsa.
Salmon Bowl vs Poke Bowl
- Salmon bowl is usually made with cooked fish
- Poke is made with raw fish most of the time.
Salmon Bowl vs Buddha Bowl
- Salmon bowl is mostly protein focused
- Buddha bowl is usually plant based and plant focused
Why Is My Salmon Dry
It was most likely overcooked, make sure to follow our guide for Air Fryer Salmon Bites
What if my Bowl is Bland
You didn't add enough sauces and condiments.
If It feels Too heavy
You most likely added too much salmon, avocado and heavy fats without enough acidic balance form lemon or lime juices.
Why is My Bowl Watery
You used vegetables that were not dried
Storage & Reheating
- Store components separately in an airtight container and assemble fresh
- Reheat the salmon gently if you need to, and always avoid overheating.
- We don't recommend the microwave for reheating at all.
What goes in a salmon bowl?
Salmon, a base (rice or greens), vegetables, and a sauce.
Is a salmon bowl healthy?
Yes it's high in protein and healthy fats.
Can I meal prep salmon bowls?
Yes, but store components separately.
What sauce goes best?
Depends on the flavor you want. An exotic Harissa Aioli, creamy tahini, or Asian style like Spicy Mayo.
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes, if properly thawed and dried.
This is a new favorite of mine! It’s quick, easy, and absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!
This was a perfect recipe for a quick weekday lunch! Thank you for this yummy one!
I loooove bowl recipes and this one is amazing! It even looks like it came straight from a favorite restaurant! Love that it’s especially easy to make, too. Nice!
What a tasty-looking loaded bowl! I wish I could taste it from the screen, lol! I have bookmarked to make later.
I’m so glad I found this recipe! I have a ton of frozen salmon and wasn’t sure what to make with it. This turned out so tasty and the whole family loved it.