Salmon Poke Bowl

WRITER BYJessica

POSTEDAugust 2, 2024

Looking for a quick and easy dish for busy weeknights? This absolutely flavorful and colorful salmon poke bowl will leave you in wonder! Paired with many veggies and a sweet-sour dressing, it offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. This will be your go-to recipe whenever you're stuck with meal inspiration.

If you're a salmon fan, preparing it at home has never been easier. This is essentially a sushi roll in a bowl inspired by Hawaiian cuisine. "Poke," pronounced "poh-keh," literally means "cut into pieces," referring to the perfectly cut slices of raw fish.

You know me, I'm all for simplifying recipes when it comes to methods and ingredients. And this bowl of salmon poke just couldn't be easier. I love the combination of raw veggies, rice, and salmon (the star of the dish), making this a quick and healthy meal to shake off my weekly routine.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Here's why Ι'm fantastic about this fresh salmon recipe and why you'll love it, too:

Flavorful and fresh: Combining sashimi-grade fish with fresh vegetables and a savory-sweet marinade creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds.
Healthy and nutritious: This poke bowl is a nutritious meal option, packed with fiber from the vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids & protein from the salmon, and energy-boosting carbs from the rice.
Quick and easy: The recipe requires minimal cooking and is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Additionally, its short preparation time makes it ideal for busy weeknights.
Customizable: Do you have any dietary preferences? You can easily swap ingredients to suit your diet or pantry stock.
Family-friendly: If you have picky eaters at home, this is a family-approved meal to add to your lunch schedule. Furthermore, the vibrant colors of the ingredients make for a beautiful presentation that will impress your family and guests.

WHAT TYPE OF SALMON TO USE?

For this recipe, you'll need raw fishlike salmon or tuna. When consuming raw fish, it's extremely important to understand what you're buying and eating to avoid food poisoning or infection from parasites. That being said, look for labels that say, "Sashimi grade fish," which means fish that's safe to consume raw.

These fish are caught and processed very quickly and then kept at the proper temperature at all times, which helps to kill germs and bacteria. There are several ways to process salmon so that it can be eaten raw, one of which is by salt curing.

Salt curing is one of the main preservation methods for most foods because it can prevent the formation of microbes and bacteria and add flavor in the process. If you're interested, you can also try the salt curing process for salmon as described by Kaz Mazsune in "How to Cure Salmon for Sushi and Sashimi."

INGREDIENTS FOR SALMON POKE BOWL

Here are all the ingredients you'll need for this healthy salmon poke bowl recipe:

FOR THE SALMON MARINADE

7 oz or 200 gr salmon Sashimi-grade
¼ cup or 59 ml soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
½ teaspoon sesame seeds
½ teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lime juice

FOR THE POKE BOWL

1 cup or 250 gr of cooked Japanese rice/sushi rice
½ cup or 120 gr edamame cooked
½ cup or 120 gr red cabbage thinly sliced
1 cucumber thinly sliced
1 avocado thinly sliced
1 mango chopped into small cubes
2 red radish thinly sliced
½ teaspoon black sesame seeds for garnish
1 tablespoon sliced green onions for garnish
1 tablespoon of roasted sesame dressing

HOW TO MAKE SALMON POKE BOWL

Start by preparing the salmon. First, use a sharp knife to gently slice the Sashimi-grade salmon fillet into cubes.

Combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame seeds, honey, and lime juice in a large bowl to create a flavorful marinade. Toss the salmon cubes into the bowl and gently mix until each piece is well-coated.

Refrigerate for at least 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to mix and the salmon to absorb the marinade.

Once the salmon has marinated, it's time to assemble your poke bowl. Next, begin by placing a generous serving of cooked Japanese rice at the bottom of your bowl.

Arrange the marinated salmon on top of the rice, followed by the fresh toppings: edamame, shredded red cabbage, thinly sliced cucumber, red radish slices, creamy avocado, and sweet mango cubes.

To finish, sprinkle black sesame and a handful of toasted sesame seeds over the bowl, adding a final touch of flavor and texture. Bon appetite!

TIPS FOR THE BEST SALMON POKE BOWL

To ensure your salmon poke bowls turn out perfect every time, keep these tips in mind:

Use fresh ingredients: High-quality ingredients are key to a great poke bowl. Therefore, ensure your salmon is Sashimi-grade and your vegetables are crisp.
Use suitable knives: Cut clean salmon cubes with a sharp knife to maintain the texture and appearance of your ingredients.
Chill before serving: Marinate the salmon in the refrigerator to enhance the flavor. Serving the bowl slightly chilled also adds to its refreshing quality.
Prepare in advance: To make it easier for you, start by cooking the rice and preparing the vegetables. Then, refrigerate the vegetables to save time when making the salmon poke bowl.

HOW TO SERVE SALMON POKE BOWL

Salmon poke bowls are best served immediately after assembling to enjoy the fresh flavours and textures. Additionally, you can serve them as a light lunch, a main course for dinner, or even as part of a larger spread for a gathering.

For an extra touch, provide chopsticks and a small bowl of soy sauce on the side for dipping. I like to serve them buffet-style in our house so everyone can make personalized toppings.

SALMON POKE BOWL VARIATIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS

One of the great aspects of salmon poke bowls is their versatility. Here are some variations you can try at home:

Different types of fish: You can use different types of salmon, such as King, Scottish, or Sockeye. Always make sure you're buying Sashimi grade fish.
Rice options: Opt for different types of rice, such as brown rice, steamed white rice or Japanese sticky rice.
Vinegar swap: Not a fan of rice vinegar? use apple cider vinegar instead.
Sweetener: Swap honey for granulated sugar, agave, or maple syrup.
Gluten-free: For a gluten-free recipe, replace the soy sauce with gluten-free like tamari soy sauce.
Grain-free: Use cauliflower rice instead of sushi rice as a low-carb alternative.
Spicy salmon poke bowl: For a spicy kick, add sriracha sauce or wasabi to the marinade. I also love spicy mayo.
Tropical poke bowl: Incorporate tropical fruits like pineapple or papaya and mango for a tropical hit.
Vegetarian poke bowl: Replace the salmon with marinated tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
Additional toppings: Experiment with other toppings like pickled ginger, seaweed salad, or microgreens.

KID-FRIENDLY POKE BOWL IDEAS

Making a salmon poke bowl that kids will enjoy can be both entertaining and fulfilling. Here are some ideas to create poke bowls that are attractive and suitable for children:

Use familiar ingredients: Include ingredients that kids already enjoy, such as avocado, cucumber, carrots, and edamame. These colorful and nutritious components can make the poke bowl more appealing to young eaters.
Milder flavors: Choose gentler seasonings and sauces. Avoid overly spicy or strong flavors that could be too intense for a child's taste buds. A light soy sauce or a touch of teriyaki can add flavor without overwhelming them.
Fun Shapes and Sizes: Use small cookie cutters to cut vegetables into fun shapes, such as stars, hearts, or animals. This can make the meal more engaging and exciting for kids.
Interactive Assembly: Let the children can participate in assembling their poke bowls. Set up a mini poke bowl bar with different ingredients and let them choose their favorites. This can help them become more interested in eating what they have helped to create.