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Sesame Salmon Bowl

A healthy sesame salmon bowl is the answer to your weeknight dinner woes. The flavorful bowl features simple ingredients and it’s ready in under an hour– perfect for busy nights and quick lunches. Craving more sesame flavor? Try sesame tofu and mushroom stir fry!

Sesame salmon bowl on a plate

What is a Salmon Bowl?

Grain and rice bowls are a big deal and for a good reason! They are versatile, easy to make, and an excellent part of a well-balanced diet

Salmon rice bowls often feature cooked salmon (and sometimes salmon sashimi for a poke bowl) served over mixed greens, white rice, quinoa, or brown rice, and it’s typically served with fresh vegetables, fruit, and other toppings to finish the meal. 

Key Ingredients

The one-bowl meal is gluten-freedairy-free, and perfect for meal prep! Here is everything you need to get started.

  • Salmon: I use frozen salmon fillets from Costco. However, if you have access to fresh salmon, use that instead. Defrost the fillets in the fridge overnight for easy preparation the next day.
  • Marinade: Marinate the salmon in toasted sesame oilsoy sauce, fresh garlic cloves, and grated fresh ginger. Finish the salmon pieces with a coating Kewpie mayonnaise and toasted sesame seeds before baking them in the oven. 
  • Rice: Use whatever rice or grain you prefer for this recipe. I enjoy white rice or sushi simmered in vinegar-seasoned water. You can also purchase Instant Rice for an easy dinner prep or serve the sesame salmon rice bowls on a bed of mixed greens for a low-carb option.
  • Toppings: There is plenty of room to get creative with toppings and dressing, which is one of the reasons I enjoy making protein bowls for my family. I add my favorite Kewpie sesame dressing, fresh pineapple, edamame beans, and sliced carrots and cucumber to finish the bowl, but feel free to use what you have. 

Additions and Substitutions

How to Make a Sesame Salmon Bowl

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Add the salmon pieces and toss to combine. Cover and marinate for 10 minutes.

Salmon marinating in a bowl.

Step 2: Transfer the salmon to a colander to drain the excess marinade. Then, add mayonnaise and toasted sesame seeds to the salmon and gently stir to coat.

Salmon tossed with mayonnaise and sesame seeds.

Step 3: Set the oven to broil and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the salmon pieces onto the baking sheet in a single layer.

Salmon on a baking sheet.

Step 4: Broil uncovered for 10-15 minutes until golden brown, stirring the pieces halfway through.

Salmon broiling in the oven.

Step 5: Add a scoop of the cooked rice to a shallow bowl or airtight container, followed by a portion of the salmon bites. Finish with your favorite toppings and a drizzle of sesame dressing to serve. 

Sesame salmon bowl on a plate
Sesame salmon bowl on a plate

Expert Tips

  • Cut the salmon fillets into small pieces (1-inch cubes) to ensure they cook evenly at the same rate. 
  • Overcooked salmon can be dry and tough, so keep a close eye on it as it cooks. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon; the recommended cooking temperature for salmon is 125°F (51°C).
  • Leave the dressing and fresh avocado slices off the salmon bowl if prepping the bowls in advance.

If you enjoy this healthy bowl recipe, try more salmon recipes from Jamil Ghar!  

Sesame salmon bowl on a plate

Serving Suggestions

The easy sesame salmon bowl recipe is excellent for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner. And it is perfect for meal prep! Pair the bowl with piping hot miso soup or air-fried plantains. I love snacking on roasted seaweed (nori) or a tangy seaweed salad while I enjoy the bowl.

One of my favorite things about making bowls is how easy they are to customize with different ingredients. Here are a few of my favorite toppings:

  • Mayak Eggs
  • Hard-Boiled Eggs
  • Kimchi
  • Sunomono
  • Hakusai
  • Pickled Ginger
  • Pineapple Chunks
  • Jalapeño Slices
  • Shredded Cabbage
  • Cilantro
  • Mango Chunks
  • Snap Peas
  • Crispy Onions
  • Blanched Bok Choy
  • Green Onions

What To Do With Leftovers

  • Refrigerate: Store the fresh salmon bowls in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
  • Reheat: Bring leftover salmon to temperature in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
  • Repurpose: Spoon the salmon pieces and rice into a corn tortilla to make salmon tacos, or add them to Hawaiian rolls with avocado slices for salmon sliders. You can also use the fish and salmon as a topping for vegetable chopped salad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the sesame salmon bowl gluten-free?

Replace the soy sauce in the recipe with tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos to make the dish completely gluten-free.

Can I make my own sesame dressing?

I love Kewpie sesame dressing, but when I don’t have any on hand, here is the recipe I make:

• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• ⅓ cup Kewpie mayonnaise
• 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Can I make the salmon in the air fryer?

Preheat an air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the salmon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Healthy Bowl Recipes:

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Sesame salmon bowl on a plate

Sesame Salmon Bowl

Tressa Jamil
A healthy sesame salmon bowl is a delicious lunch or dinner idea that combines a handful of simple ingredients for a complete meal in one go.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 387 kcal
Ingredients
  
For the Salmon:
For the Salmon Bowl:
  • cup white rice, cooked according to the package (makes about 4 cups cooked rice)
  • carrots, thinly sliced
  • cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • mukimame
  • avocado, thinly sliced
  • Kewpie sesame dressing
Instructions
 
  • Prepare the white rice in a small saucepan according to the package, cover it with a lid, and set it aside to steam. 
  • Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Add the salmon pieces and toss to combine. Cover and marinate for 10 minutes.
  • Transfer the salmon to a colander to drain the excess marinade. Then, add mayonnaise and toasted sesame seeds to the salmon and gently stir to coat.
  • Set the oven to broil and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the salmon pieces onto the baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Broil uncovered for 10-15 minutes until golden brown, stirring the pieces halfway through.
  • Add a scoop of the cooked rice to a shallow bowl or airtight container, followed by a portion of the salmon bites. Finish with your favorite toppings and a drizzle of sesame dressing to serve. 
Notes
Expert Tips:
  • Cut the salmon fillets into small pieces (1-inch cubes) to ensure they cook evenly at the same rate. 
  • Overcooked salmon can be dry and tough, so keep a close eye on it as it cooks. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon; the recommended cooking temperature for salmon is 125°F (51°C).
  • Leave the dressing and fresh avocado slices off the salmon bowl if prepping the bowls in advance.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 387 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 37 g | Fat: 17 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 95 mg | Sodium: 852 mg | Potassium: 893 mg | Vitamin A: 70 IU | Vitamin C: 0.5 mg | Calcium: 37 mg | Iron: 2 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating