Salmon Rice Bowl

Inspired by the viral TikTok Salmon Rice Bowl, this variation features chunks of tender salmon, creamy avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and green onion.

Salmon rice bowls have taken over the internet, and for good reason, they are simple to make and absolutely incredible.

These yummy bowls come together with flakey salmon, fluffy rice, creamy avocado, fresh cucumbers, green onions, and more.

If you love this rice bowl recipe, you’ll also enjoy these Ahi Poke Bowls and Buffalo Tofu Bowls.

Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe

I am not one for TikTok food trends, however, the viral video from Emily Mariko caught my attention because I have been making my own salmon rice bowls for years!

This easy to make, and absolutely delicious TikTok recipe variation comes together with a handful of pantry staple ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time.

They’re great to make when you’re in a time crunch on a lunch break, looking to make a simple but tasty dinner, or looking to meal prep a healthy and simple recipe for the week.

Bonus: Have leftover rice or salmon in the fridge from another meal? This recipe is perfect for repurposing your leftovers and making them new again!

Ingredients Needed to Make Spicy Salmon Rice Bowls

Rice: for this recipe, I used jasmine rice as the base of the bowl. I love jasmine rice because it provides an irresistible nutty flavor that always leaves me wanting more. You can also use sushi rice or brown rice if you prefer.

Salmon: fresh or leftover salmon fillets are perfect for this rice bowl as it is a great source of protein and is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. I like to go for filets that are on the thicker side so they can easily be cut into chunks a cooked without drying out.

Fresh herbs and spices: to build that spicy salmon flavor, you will need paprika, onion powder, garlic, and chili powder. If you are looking to add more heat, you can be a bit more heavy-handed with the chili powder.

Toppings: finish off your bowl by topping it with healthy fats like avocado slices, fresh and cool cucumbers, and garnish with fresh cilantro and green onions.

Optional toppings: get fancy and dress up your bowls with additional toppings like seaweed snacks (my personal favorite), sesame seeds, microgreens, jalapeño peppers, red onion, snow peas, sesame seeds, or edamame.

If you’re making your own spicy mayo, I highly recommend using Japanese kewpie mayo. I can’t explain it, but it’s just SO much better!

*For a detailed list of ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.

How to Make Salmon Rice Bowls

1. Cook the rice. Cook the rice according to package instructions. A rice cooker will come in handy for this step.

2. Preheat the air fryer. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 390° F. See notes below in the recipe card for stovetop instructions.

3. Season the salmon. Place the cubed salmon in a mixing bowl and season with paprika, onion powder, chili powder, and minced garlic.

4. Cook the salmon. Place the salmon in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 125° F.

5. Serve. Divide the cooked rice between two bowls and top with the cooked salmon, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and green onions.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Season at your own discretion. My measurements will give you unbelievable tasty spicy salmon, but if you are looking for even more of a kick, you can be a bit more heavy-handed with the chili powder when seasoning.
• I recommend using fresh, never frozen salmon. This is just a personal preference; I find that frozen salmon just doesn’t taste as fresh.
• Don’t have jasmine rice? You can swap it out with whatever rice you have handy or your favorite. Some good substitutions are: white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, and even black rice.
• This recipe is perfect for leftovers! If you are ever wondering what to do with leftover rice or salmon, refresh it with these simple yet flavor packed rice bowls; you won’t even remember they are leftovers.
• If you are using leftover rice or salmon, drop an ice cube into the bowl and cover it with paper towels or parchment paper before you pop it in the microwave. When it’s done, remove what is left of the ice cube.

How to Store Leftovers

If you are making the recipe fresh, grab an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. Your leftovers will keep for about 2-4 days before they need to be eaten or tossed.

If you are making this recipe with leftovers, it is not going to store or reheat well since you are already reheating it once.

Reheating your leftover Salmon Rice Bowl

If you managed to have leftovers or have meal prepped these bowls and are looking to heat them up, I recommend heating up the salmon and rice separate from the rest of the toppings.

To reheat salmon and rice, add an ice cube to the bowl, cover with a paper towel and microwave for about 45 seconds, checking the temperature and ensuring for even reheating. When done, discard the remains of the ice cube.

If needed, pop the bowl back into the microwave in 30-second intervals until you are satisfied with the temperature of the salmon and rice.

Once you are satisfied, add your toppings, garnish, and enjoy!

Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe Variations

Salmon: although this recipe is fantastic with salmon, you can substitute with shrimp of chicken.

Rice: you don’t need jasmine rice to make this recipe. Substitute the rice with your favorite kind or whatever you have in the pantry. Cauliflower rice or mixed greens are great options if you are looking to keep the carb count down.

Sauce: whether my salmon is spicy or not, I enjoy a good squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice across my fish before diving in. However, if you are looking to bring out more Asian inspiration and flavors in your bowl, a nice drizzle of soy sauce, sriracha sauce (hot sauce), or spicy mayo could pair well with the dish too.

I don’t have an Air fryer, how do I make this Salmon Rice Bowl?

If you don’t have an air fryer, simply follow the instructions below to prepare the salmon on a skillet.

• Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat with 1 tbsp of olive oil.
• Place the salmon in the skillet and cook 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally to cook all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.

Looking to take the leap and invest in an air fryer? Make sure to check out some of my helpful air fryer resources.

How did TikTok Salmon Rice Bowls become famous?

Although recently famous, thanks to TikTok, salmon rice bowls are nothing new. In fact, for years I have been making my own variation now and again for quick, easy, and healthy lunches!

However, in 2021, a TikToker named Emily Mariko whipped up a salmon rice bowl and it has been the talk of the internet and social media ever since.

Does this viral salmon recipe live up to the hype?

Absolutely! This is one recipe trend I can one hundred and ten percent stand behind. My recipe takes everything the internet loved about the recipe and elevated it, making it a more upgraded and presentable version.

Perfect for making your own TikTok video while making the recipe or snapping a picture for Instagram stories and posts.

More Salmon Recipes

• Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon
• Air Fryer Citrus Soy Asian Salmon
• Blackened Salmon Rice Bowls
• Salmon Cakes With Lemon Dill Sauce
• Pistachio Crusted Air Fryer Salmon

More Bowl Recipes

• Chicken Shawarma Bowls
• Buffalo Tofu Bowls
• Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls
• Salmon Poke Bowl
• Hawaiian Shrimp Taco Bowl

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