Salmon Sushi Bowls

Salmon Sushi Bowls allow you to enjoy Japanese-inspired flavors at home while skipping the expensive takeout! This modern twist on traditional sushi takes maki rolls and deconstructs them into a bowl. No more struggling to roll sushi or needing specialty utensils in your kitchen.

Each bite is filled with sticky Sushi Rice, salty nori sheets, and either teriyaki-glazed salmon or raw salmon. Add fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and avocados.

Or, try building your own Sushi Bowls! One thing is for sure, we always top ours with homemade spicy mayo.

The real highlight here is the simplicity of the recipe. All you have to do is steam the rice, bake the salmon, and assemble the bowls. On busy nights, bowl recipes are seriously the best. 

You can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, meaning sushi bowls are perfect for busy weeknights.

Why you’ll love salmon sushi bowls

• Healthy: Salmon sushi bowls are packed to the brim with nutritious ingredients. Enjoy a healthy dose of Omega-3s, unsaturated fats, and protein.
• Customizable: This recipe is completely customizable! Swap in your favorite vegetables, replace salmon with shrimp, make a vegetarian bowl with tofu, and adjust the spice level up or down to suit your taste.
• Easy: It doesn’t matter what your level of proficiency is in the kitchen. This recipe makes preparing a restaurant-quality meal a breeze! The instructions are simple to follow, and the results are consistent every time!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make these delicious sushi bowls with salmon.

• Salmon: Known for being a fatty fish, salmon adds an ultra-rich and luscious flavor. We suggest sourcing high-quality fish from a reputable fishmonger. It makes a huge difference, especially with salmon. This dish uses a baked preparation, but it is also delicious with raw, sushi-grade salmon.
• Salmon marinade: To enhance the salmon flavor, bake it in an umami-rich, nutty, tangy, and sweet sauce. Use low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari), honey (or agave), rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar), fresh garlic, sesame oil (make sure it’s 100% pure sesame oil), and fresh ginger (or a quarter of the amount of ground ginger).
• Sushi rice: Creates a traditional sushi flavor in this bowl. If you’re looking for a lower-carb option, use Cauliflower Rice. For more complex carbs, swap in brown rice.
• Vegetables: We love the combination of cucumber and carrots for a vibrant and refreshing crunch in every bite. Feel free to experiment with other vegetables (you can find options in the toppings section).
• Avocado: For the ultimate buttery smooth texture and creamy flavor, use Hass avocados. If you don’t have those available, use any local variety or omit them.
• Nori: Provides a sweet and salty flavor. Look for nori in the international section of grocery stores or at Asian food markets. You can buy nori sheets or roasted nori snacks.
• Spicy mayo: The combination of mayonnaise, rice vinegar, and Sriracha adds a velvety, tangy, and spicy element. For a richer sauce, use Kewpie mayo (Japanese-style mayo). For a lighter option, replace some of the mayo with Greek yogurt.

How to Make Salmon Sushi Bowls

These bowls are so easy to make and super versatile. 

1. Season the salmon

Baking the salmon with soy-based marinade adds so much flavor to the sushi bowls. Add the raw salmon to a piece of foil, and fold up the sides. Stir together the sauce, then brush it generously over the fish.

If you prefer, you can use sushi-grade raw salmon for your bowls. Just make sure to let the fishmonger know you will be eating the fish raw. Instead of baking the salmon, you can marinate it in your favorite sauce before moving on.

2. Bake the salmon

We recommend baking the salmon in a foil packet so it evenly cooks. The baking time will vary depending on the thickness of the salmon, so keep a closer eye on it after the 10-minute mark.

For a perfectly browned top, open the foil and broil the salmon for the last couple of minutes.

If you prefer to cook your salmon in a skillet, use the method in these Crispy Salmon Rice Bowls.

3. Mix the spicy mayo

Combine the mayonnaise, Sriracha, and rice vinegar. Make sure to taste-test the sauce as it can easily be customized to suit your preferences. To pack in more umami flavors to your salmon sushi bowls, mix some soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos into the mayo.

4. Assemble the bowls

Build your bowls by adding a scoop of sushi rice followed by fresh vegetables, avocado, baked salmon, and nori. Sometimes we make ours pretty, and other times we just throw it all in there!

Whatever the case, we never forget a generous drizzle of spicy mayo.

Salmon Sushi Bowl Toppings

We make sushi bowls a lot in our house, so we’re always playing around with the garnishes and vegetables to make each one unique. Try topping your salmon sushi bowls with sesame seeds, furikake (rice seasoning), pickled ginger, wasabi, green onions, or edamame.

You can also use additional vegetables like daikon radish slices (fresh or pickled), shredded cabbage, eggplant, steamed asparagus, bell peppers, sprouts, beets, or mangoes.

Storage and Leftovers

Salmon sushi bowls are ideal for meal prep and make for great leftovers. Here are our top storage tips to keep them fresh:

• Fridge: Once the salmon has fully cooled, store it separately from the other ingredients. It’s best kept in a glass container. It will last up to 2-3 days. Store the other ingredients in separate containers as well, building the bowls on an as-needed basis.
• Freezer: You can freeze cooked salmon by transferring it to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store it for up to 3 months this way. Additionally, sushi rice can be frozen for up to 1-2 months.

Variations

There are so many different ways to customize these bowls and make them your own. 

• Different protein: Change up the flavors with different protein options like shrimp, tuna, chicken, or eel. For a vegetarian option, use tofu, tempeh, or edamame.
• Raw: Make a poke bowl by using raw salmon or tuna instead of baked salmon. Just don’t forget to make sure it’s sushi-grade!
• Sauce: Instead of teriyaki, try soy sauce, ponzu, yuzu, or miso sauce. If you’re looking for something other than Sriracha mayo, try wasabi mayo or garlic mayo.

Tips for Making Salmon Sushi Bowls

Follow these tips to ensure the sushi bowls come out delicious every time. 

• Eat them immediately: Salmon sushi bowls are best enjoyed immediately, so prepare them right before you are ready to eat!
• Cool the rice: Give the sushi rice time to cool down after it’s mixed with the seasoned rice vinegar. If it’s too warm, it can end up par-cooking the vegetables.
• Use quality salmon: For the best flavors in your sushi bowl, opt for wild-caught salmon. Not only does it taste better, but it contains more vitamins and nutrients.