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Home » Appetizers

Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls

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Looking for a quick 15 minute meal? These Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls are perfect for you! They're a quick, flavorful dinner that works just as well for two or when hosting a group! They’re sure to be a hit!

spicy salmon bowl

Packed with veggies, rice, and salmon, these bowls are loaded with protein, making them both nutritious and satisfying. The real star is the creamy, spicy mayo that brings everything together perfectly.

If you love quick & easy meals, than you're also going to adore my Creamy Broccoli Pasta, Grilled Cheese Burrito & Marry Me Chicken Pasta!

Jump to:
  • What You'll Need
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • 3 Top Tips for Success
  • FAQs
  • Related
  • Pairing
  • Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls
  • Food safety

What You'll Need

spicy salmon bowl
  • Salmon, skin removed, cubed
  • Olive oil
  • Unsalted butter
  • Maple syrup
  • Plain rice
  • Cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Avocado, sliced
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sesame seeds
  • Spices: Smoked paprika & Garlic powder

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

spicy salmon bowl

Add all the seasonings to the salmon.

Mix well & heat up a pan.

spicy salmon bowl

Cook 5-6 minutes, add maple & butter.

spicy salmon bowl

Assemble the bowl, serve & enjoy!

1. Prepare the Salmon:

  • Cut the salmon into bite-sized cubes.
  • In a bowl, season the salmon with salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.

2. Cook the Salmon:

  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon cubes in a single layer.
  • Sear the salmon on all sides until golden-brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and stir in butter and maple syrup. Gently toss the salmon in the sauce until coated, then remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Bowl:

  • In serving bowls, start with a base of plain rice.
  • Top with the cooked salmon, cucumber slices, and avocado.
  • Drizzle with mayonnaise and Sriracha for a spicy kick.
  • Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
spicy salmon bowl

Substitutions

  • Salmon: Trout, cod, or tofu (for a vegetarian option)
  • Olive oil: Avocado oil, coconut oil, or sesame oil
  • Unsalted butter: Ghee, coconut oil, or margarine
  • Maple syrup: Honey, agave syrup, or brown sugar
  • Plain rice: Quinoa, cauliflower rice, or brown rice
  • Avocado: Guacamole, hummus, or mashed edamame

Equipment

Medium bowl, for marinating

Large Pan, for cooking salmon

Storage

Store the cooked salmon and rice in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the toppings (cucumber, avocado, and sauce) separate to prevent sogginess.

Reheat the salmon and rice before assembling, and add fresh toppings and sauce when ready to serve.

3 Top Tips for Success

  1. Pat the salmon dry: Ensure the salmon is dry before seasoning and cooking to achieve a crispy, golden exterior when searing..
  2. Add butter and syrup at the end: Lower heat before adding these to prevent burning and create a rich glaze.
  3. Use fresh toppings: Add cucumber and avocado just before serving to keep the textures vibrant and fresh.

FAQs

1. How can I tell when the salmon is fully cooked?

Salmon is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C), but you can remove it slightly before reaching this temp as it will continue to cook off the heat.

2. Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, frozen salmon works perfectly fine. Just make sure to thaw it fully before cooking by leaving it in the fridge overnight or using the cold water method for quicker defrosting.

3. What’s the best way to reheat leftover salmon?

To keep the salmon from drying out, reheat it gently in a skillet over low heat with a bit of olive oil or butter, or in the oven at a low temperature (around 275°F/135°C) for about 10 minutes.

Related

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    Easy Bacon Risotto Recipe (No Wine, 30 Minutes!)
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    Easy Keto Wraps Recipe (Gluten-Free Zucchini Wraps)
  • shrimp chicken fried rice
    Easy Shrimp Chicken Fried Rice (Better Than Takeout!)
  • bruschetta dip
    Easy Bruschetta Dip with Whipped Ricotta (Best Appetizer Recipe)

Pairing

These are my favorite desserts to serve after this sweet & spicy salmon bowl:

  • viral Japanese cheesecake
    Easy Viral Japanese Cheesecake Recipe (5-Minute Prep!)
  • smores brownies
    Easy S'mores Brownies Recipe (No Campfire Needed!)
  • date milk
    Easy Date Milk Recipe (Dairy-Free & Ready in 5 Minutes!)
  • no bake blueberry cheescake
    Easy No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake (9x13 Slab Style!)
spicy salmon bowl

Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls

Looking for a quick 15 minute meal? These Sweet & Spicy Salmon Bowls are perfect for you! They're a quick, flavorful dinner that works just as well for two or when hosting a group! They’re sure to be a hit!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American, asian, Mediterranean
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon:
  • 1 lb salmon skin removed, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup
For Toppings:
  • Cooked plain rice
  • Thinly sliced cucumber
  • Sliced avocado
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sesame seeds

Equipment

  • Small Bowl for mixing marinade
  • Large Pan for cooking salmon

Method
 

Prepare the Salmon:
  1. Cut the salmon into bite-sized cubes.
  2. In a bowl, season the salmon with salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until evenly coated.
Cook the Salmon:
  1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon cubes in a single layer.
  2. Sear the salmon on all sides until golden-brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to low and stir in butter and maple syrup. Gently toss the salmon in the sauce until coated, then remove from heat.
Assemble the Bowl:
  1. In serving bowls, start with a base of plain rice.
  2. Top with the cooked salmon, cucumber slices, and avocado.
  3. Drizzle with a mixture of mayonnaise and Sriracha for a spicy kick.
  4. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Enjoy your sweet and spicy salmon bowl!

    Tried this recipe?

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    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Hi, I'm Maja (ma-ya)!

    I’m a 22-year-old who found my passion for cooking after tying the knot at 20. Giving it my all to balance studies, work, and a healthy lifestyle.

    I love to share mouthwatering recipes crafted for busy young people, proving that good food is not all that difficult and time consuming to make!

    More About Me

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