Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls – An Easy & Healthy Recipe

Teriyaki salmon rice bowls have become extremely popular over the last few years and once you take your first bite, you will understand why. Salmon filets are marinated in a simple homemade teriyaki sauce and cooked until light and flaky.

Then they are placed in a bowl of rice with more teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Add fresh and crisp vegetables alongside the salmon and then you have a complete and delicious meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

It has become one of my favorite weeknight meals because it can be made and on the table, ready to eat in under 20 minutes. And who couldn’t use a healthy recipe like that?

Although you may have never thought about serving salmon with cold vegetables, the flavors and textures actually work very well together. The simple, homemade teriyaki sauce creates a sweet and savory flavor that compliments the natural sweetness of the fresh vegetables.

In addition the cold vegetables provide a crunchy texture that contrasts well with the soft and flaky texture of the salmon. As much as I love eating Salmon with Cooked Broccoli, this is a great alternative when I am want to make a quick, delicious and healthy dinner.

Why You Will Love Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls

Nutritious: Salmon is a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. By combining it with rice and vegetables, it becomes a balanced and nutritious meal.

Quick and Easy: Teriyaki salmon rice bowls are quick and easy to make, especially if you use pre-cooked rice. You can have a delicious and healthy meal ready in just a few minutes.

Delicious: The combination of tender and flavorful salmon with sweet and savory teriyaki sauce is hard to resist. In addition the rice and vegetables add texture and flavor, making it a delicious and satisfying meal.

Versatile: You can customize your each bowl to your liking by using using different types of vegetables and toppings such as sesame seeds or chopped green onions.

Wild Caught Salmon vs. Farm Raised Salmon

When it comes to making any type of salmon recipe, including this teriyaki salmon rice bowl recipe, I always recommend purchasing wild caught salmon instead of farm raised salmon. Yes, it is more expensive but it is well worth the extra cost for many reasons.

Healthier: Wild caught salmon is more nutritious than farm-raised salmon. Because wild caught salmon feeds on natural food sources in the ocean they have higher levels of natural omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation.

Taste: Wild caught salmon tends to have a stronger and more complex flavor than farm raised salmon, which can be somewhat bland. In fact when comparing the two side by side you will immediately notice that the wild salmon has a more vibrant pink color than the pale pink farm raised fish filets.

Sustainability: Many farm-raised salmon operations have negative impacts on the environment and contaminating wild fish populations due to disease and pollution. However there are sustainable farm raised salmon farms that are approved by the Marine Stewardship Council and are identified by the familiar blue MSC label on the package.

Other Common Recipe Additions

Now that you know what type of salmon that is best to purchase, it is time to talk about the other ingredients. Teriyaki salmon rice bowls are a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking.

Feel free to switch up the ingredients to make it how you like it. Here are some variations of ingredients that you could add to your teriyaki salmon bowls:

1. Vegetables: Although I include cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and green onions in my recipe below, feel free to add a variety of other vegetables to your bowl for added nutrition and flavor. Some good options include broccoli, bell peppers, onions, sugar snap peas, and edamame.

2. Rice: Use your favorite variety of rice as the base of this recipe. White, Basmati, Jasmine, or brown rice all work well to complete this nutritious meal. However, you could also use quinoa or cauliflower rice as well.

3. Toppings: Add toppings like sliced avocado, sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and cilantro for added flavor and texture.

4. Sauce: Drizzle extra teriyaki sauce over the top of your bowl. Or if you like things spicy add of a little heat by drizzling a little Sriracha sauce on top.

5. Fruit: If you want to add a sweet element to your bowl, try adding diced pineapple or mandarin oranges. The flavors pair perfectly with the savory teriyaki sauce.

Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowls Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soy sauce or coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried ginger

Other Ingredients

• 2 (5-6 ounce) salmon filets
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/2 cup shredded or julienned carrots
• 1/2 medium avocado, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3/4 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water

For Serving

• Sesame seeds
• Diced green onions

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl add the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger and whisk until the sugar has dissolved.

Place the salmon filets in a shallow bowl, skin side down. Then pour 1/3 of the sauce over the salmon filets then flip them over so that the skin is on top. Let the salmon sit in the marinade while you cut the vegetables and slice the avocado.

Preheat the oven broiler on high. Then line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.

Place the salmon filets on the baking sheet skin side down, discarding any leftover marinade. Place the baking sheet in the preheated broiler for 7-8 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. 

While the salmon is cooking add the remaining sauce to a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch dissolves. Add the slurry to the sauce pan and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the desired glaze thickness is reached.

Serving Instructions

To serve divide the rice into two shallow bowls or plates. Then top the rice with salmon and divide the cucumbers, carrots, avocado, and tomatoes among the bowls. 

Drizzle each bowl with the thickened teriyaki sauce, then garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Other Delicious Salmon Recipes

• Sheet Pan Salmon & Broccoli
• Honey Mustard Salmon
• Honey Garlic Salmon
• Pan Seared Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Maple Glazed Salmon

Enjoy! Mary

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