Salmon Quinoa Bowl
Try out this easy salmon quinoa bowl recipe tonight! Nutritious and delicious. It brings a whole bunch of flavors and textures. It’s packed with tonnes of protein, fiber, and nourishing fats.
Not only is it full of flavors and textures, but this quinoa with salmon teriyaki is an easy dish to make, perfectly suitable for beginners.
With a nutritious amount of good fats from the salmon and avocado, high fiber from quinoa, and a colorful array of vegetables, the dish has a lovely balance of everything you could ask for. It makes a great family meal that kids and adults can all enjoy.
The best thing is it won’t take long to put together. It can come together in less than 30 minutes. Don’t worry if you are short on time; 30 minutes is all you need. You can make it ahead of time, so if you’re looking for that speedy meal, look no further; I have you covered!
Why You’ll Love This Quinoa Bowl With Teriyaki Salmon
- Super fast from pan to plate: This makes a great, easy weeknight dinner in less than 30 minutes. Fish typically cooks quicker than other forms of animal protein, such as meat. Quinoa doesn’t take much longer. This makes it so convenient when you need a speedy but tasty meal. It also makes a quick and easy option for meal prep days.
- A complete meal: This dish has everything to make a nutritious lunch or dinner. It is well-balanced, so you don’t have to serve anything else with it.
- Easy to switch up: You can add or minus any vegetables you like – or don’t like! The wonderful thing about this dish is that it can be personalized for each person. Try cutting up various vegetables that friends and family can help themselves with.
- Simple for beginners: This recipe is perfect if you are new to the kitchen. It doesn’t require any complicated cooking techniques.
- Packed with flavor: Do you like flavorful food? If the answer is YES, perfect! This recipe hits the spot with its succulent with a lot of texture and zingy bite.
- Great for everyone: A balanced meal that you don’t have to worry about when serving the kids. It works well as an easy weeknight dinner or quick weekend lunch for the family. This recipe can also be the perfect choice for unexpected guests.
Ingredients For Quinoa And Salmon Bowl Recipe
- Quinoa: This makes a superb base for a meal. Quinoa has complete nutrition to offer. It contains high protein, fiber, antioxidants, and 9 essential amino acids, making it nutritious and filling. It is also perfect for the gluten-free gang.
- Salmon Fillets: An easy and delicious way to get your omega-3 fatty acids in. In addition to this, salmon is an incredible source of protein. You can use fresh or frozen salmon for this recipe. If using frozen salmon, thaw it for a couple of hours beforehand so it’s easier to toss it in the marinade and fry it. Try to get wild salmon instead of farmed since it is much better overall.
- Teriyaki Sauce: It gives an irresistible umami flavor and is easy to make in a snap. You can make this yourself by mixing a few ingredients. Check out my homemade halal teriyaki sauce, which is made in less than a minute!
- Avocado: Another great source of wholesome fats and a satiating ingredient with a creamy texture. They are an excellent fiber, folate, and potassium source, making this recipe the dish that keeps giving!
- Cucumber: The humble cucumber brings hydration to your meal due to the high water content. It is also packed full of nutrients and low in calories.
- Bell Pepper: It can add a crunchy sweetness to the dish and be the sweeter of its color companions. Also, don’t forget that this capsicum family has many antioxidants that benefit us. However, the green bell pepper is not as sweet. You can use this to decide on the type of flavor you want them to bring to your dish.
- Small Carrot: Carrots have an incredible flavor and texture. Thin julienne strips make it so easy to consume. If you prefer, you can grate it.
- Salt To Taste: This depends on your personal preference. You can also add some red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Optional Lemon And Sesame Seeds: If you are feeling extra fancy, add a squeeze of lemon juice over the whole dish when complete and top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Equipment Needed
- Medium bowl: Used to mix the teriyaki salmon marinade together without spillage.
- Cooking pot: Used to cook the quinoa. A medium pot would be ideal as it will need to accommodate the water and the growth of the grains.
- Frying Pan: A skillet or frying pan is best to quickly sear and fry the salmon. You can cook it in the oven, but it will take longer. Or you can also air fry the salmon.
- Chopping Board: A nifty kitchen accessory that can help keep your counters clean and undamaged. Boards can be made from wood, plastic, or even metal.
- Kitchen Knife: The sharper, the better, trust me! A dull knife can cause more injury due to the pressure you apply. Make sure your knives are always sharp.
How To Make This Recipe
- To get started on this wholesome salmon and quinoa grains bowl, begin by washing and rinsing the quinoa. Once rinsed, place in the cooking pot and cover with roughly 1¾ cups of water. Cook quinoa according to the package or for ease, cook on medium-high heat until it boils, then simmer with the lid on for approximately 10-12 minutes. This is how long it should take for the grains to expand and all the water to be absorbed.
- You can season the quinoa to your preference once it’s cooked. Use a fork to fluff up the tender quinoa grains and set aside.
- Next, cut the salmon into roughly 1-inch cubes. Place the fish in a bowl and add the teriyaki sauce marinade over the salmon. Gently toss so all the salmon pieces are evenly coated. If you have time, you can marinate for 15 minutes for extra flavor, but it’s unnecessary.
- Now heat a teaspoon of oil in your frying pan and fry the marinated salmon until the salmon is cooked all the way through.
- Divide the quinoa into two bowls and assemble the bowls by layering the avocado, bell peppers, carrot, and cucumber on top of the quinoa. Add the salmon and squeeze some lemon juice if you choose. For the finishing touch, top with a smattering of sesame seeds. Enjoy straight away!
Substitutions and Variations
Quinoa and salmon make a lovely combination, but if you prefer, you can always switch the salmon out for trout or a different type of white fish like cod, halibut, or haddock. You can also try roasted salmon instead of pan-frying. Remember not to cook it too long so it doesn’t dry out. If you choose this option, only bake the salmon for 10-15 minutes. The salmon should change color and flake easily.
Like other whole grains, quinoa is packed with protein and a whole bunch of amino acids. It is also full of fiber, making it a satiating food. It can be substituted for brown rice or sushi rice and turned into teriyaki salmon sushi rice owl. If you prefer, or even couscous or barley. Millet, a gluten-free grain, would also work.
You can also swap out any vegetables you like. Some tasty additions to this dish are cherry tomatoes and red onions enhanced with fresh herbs such as flat parsley or dill. If you feel fancy, add some kalamata olives and a crumble of feta cheese.
Not a fan of teriyaki sauce? Add a bit of spice with siracha, or try a BBQ sauce or a similar sauce of your liking.
What To Serve Quinoa Salmon Bowl With
This delicious dish is absolutely exquisite on its own. However, you can always serve the salmon quinoa bowl with roasted or pan-fried asparagus, broccoli, and baked sweet potato slices.
How To Store And Reheat
The Quinoa and any leftover vegetables can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 4 days. Fresh salmon is obviously best. You don’t want to lose any flavor, but storing it for another day will be fine. Keep all leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge till needed.
The best thing is to reheat the quinoa in a pan on medium-low heat or in the microwave.
If the vegetables are too cold, you can do the same or leave it out at room temperature. Leave the salmon to warm to room temperature. This will help prevent it from drying out from other reheating techniques.
FAQs
What can I add to the quinoa to give it more flavor?
You can season it with a sprinkle of salt and coarse black pepper. Add some red chili flakes, garlic powder, or chopped fresh herbs such as flat parsley or dill. If you like it slightly tangy, squeeze a little lemon juice as well.
How can I tell if the salmon is fully cooked?
The color of the fish should be pale, opaque, and pinkish. The easiest way to test if your salmon is fully cooked is to push down on it with a fork if it flakes easily. Well done! Your salmon is ready to serve.
Can I season my avocado?
If you find the taste of avocado too plain but still want to incorporate it into your bowl, you can season it simply with salt and pepper. For a bit of a kick, sprinkle on some chili flakes.
Enjoying This Delicious Salmon Quinoa Bowl
With the season of cozy nights in and festive family gatherings, make this delectable salmon quinoa bowl recipe that everyone will love. It’s full of nutritious goodness as well as mouthwatering flavors.
Add vibrant veggies to your juicy, flaky salmon and savor the multitude of textures that can be whipped up in minutes. You might have to stock up on these ingredients regularly because it’s bound to become a frequent request!
Salmon Quinoa Bowl Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Frying pan
- Cooking pot
- Strainer
- Chopping board
- Kitchen knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw quinoa
- 2 portions grams boneless and skinless salmon fillets (1.1 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 1 large avocado peeled, stoned, and sliced
- ¼ cucumber chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 1 small carrot cut in julienne.
- Salt to taste
- Sesame seeds optional
- ½ lemon optional
Instructions
- Wash and rinse the quinoa. Place it in a cooking pan with a lid and cover the grains with 1¾ cup of water.
- Cook the quinoa at medium heat until it reaches boiling point. Stir it, lower the heat, and let it simmer with the lid on. Quinoa takes approximately 10-12 minutes to cook and absorb all the liquid. The grains swell up to 2-3 times as much.
- Once the quinoa is cooked, season it with salt according to your taste. Fork it to stir and mix. Set it aside.
- Cut the salmon into 1-inch chunks and place them in a bowl.
- Add the teriyaki sauce to the salmon. Stir well and make sure all the fish pieces are covered with the sauce.
- Heat a teaspoon of oil on a frying pan. Cook the salmon until they are thoroughly cooked.
- Divide the quinoa between 2 serving bowls.
- Arrange the avocado, cucumber, bell pepper, carrots, and cooked salmon on top of quinoa. Sprinkle the sesame seeds, squeeze the lemon juice over, and serve.
Notes
- You can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or make your own teriyaki sauce.
If you like, cook the salmon bites in the air fryer or oven at 392°F/ 200°C for 10-15 minutes. - Ensure you don’t overcook the fish because it can go hard. You want it to be succulent and juicy.
- Add extra teriyaki sauce over your quinoa bowl if you like.
Nutritional Info Disclaimer
The nutritional info on this page is only an estimate using online calculator. It should not be used for health related guidance. Please verify your own data if you seek an accurate info.