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Spicy Ginger Caramelized Salmon Bowl – a new 30-minute dinner. Slightly spicy ginger sesame caramelized salmon, served over bowls of steamed rice with cucumber salad and a dollop of spicy mayo. These colorful, fresh salmon bowls may seem fancy, but they’re simple to make and full of so much flavor. The caramelized salmon has just the right amounts of sweet-n-spice – so delicious!
I’ve mentioned this before, but I often go through phases of loving certain styles of food. Right now, I’m back to loving “bowl” recipes, always with rice, greens, and usually a sauce or two.
I have some fun January “bowl” style recipes that I can’t wait to share, but this new salmon bowl has become a quick favorite. It really does have everything good piled into one bowl. Steamed rice, crispy spicy-sweet salmon, a salty cucumber salad, plus some spicy mayo too.
And it’s FAST, this bowl is done in 30 minutes.
Here are the details
Step 1: marinate the salmon
First up, give the salmon flavor. Marinate chunks of skin-on salmon in a mix of tamari, pickled ginger juice, fresh ginger, garlic, toasted sesame oil, and chili flakes.
You can use skin-on or skin-off salmon, but I do prefer skin-on for this recipe. It’s up to you, however!
Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to all day.
Step 2: the salad
This might just be my favorite layer in this bowl. Avocado, cucumber, so much cilantro, lots of green onions, pickled ginger, a little roasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, and a jalapeño too. I love mixing the toasted sesame oil in. It adds so much yummy sesame flavor.
Step 3: cook the salmon
Now, rub the flesh of the marinated salmon with brown sugar. Add some cayenne or chipotle, if you like it super spicy. Then sear the salmon, flesh side facing down. Then flip and let the skin get crispy.
Add the reserved marinated sauce and simmer until the salmon is cooked to your liking.
Step 4: assemble
Steam the rice. Of course, quinoa, brown rice, or really any other grain would also work. Then layer everything in: salmon, salad, and dollop with lots of mayo.
So much happening, but really, it comes together quickly since we’re just repeating ingredients throughout.
Totally delicious – this will be great for the busy winter nights!
Looking for other salmon recipes? Here are a few…
Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa
Parchment Baked Roasted Red Pepper Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Lastly, if you make these Spicy Ginger Caramelized Salmon Bowl, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Spicy Ginger Caramelized Salmon Bowl
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 798 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pickled ginger juice (from the ginger jar)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- chili flakes
- 1 1/2 pounds salmon, cut into bite-size chunks
- sesame oil, for cooking
- 2-3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3-4 cups cooked rice
- spicy mayo, for serving
Cucumber Salad
- 2 avocados, diced
- 2 small cucumbers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickled ginger
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 cup pomegranate arils (optional)
Instructions
- 1. In a shallow dish, mix the tamari, ginger juice, ginger, garlic, toasted sesame oil, and season with chili flakes. Add the salmon, getting them mostly submerged. Marinate for 15 minutes. For the best flavor, marinate for one hour or up to all day.2. Make the salad. Combine all ingredients and season with salt. 3. When ready, heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Rub the salmon with brown sugar. Place the salmon skin side face up in the skillet. Sear until brown, about 1-2 minutes. Then flip and let the skin get crispy. Lower the heat to low. Add the marinade and simmer on low for 5-8 minutes until cooked to your liking. Then, remove from the heat.4. Spoon the salmon over the bowls of rice. Top with the cucumber salad and a dollop of spicy mayo. Enjoy!
This post was originally published on January 8, 2024
This looks amazing – quick question – it looks like you left the skin on the salmon. Do you eat it? Thanks!
Hi there! Nope, I don’t usually eat the skin! xT
This dish looks better than it tastes…its kinda like warm sushi. The pomegranate seeds don’t go very well with the other flavors, they just look pretty.
Not bad but not my new favorite dish. Won’t make it again.
Hey there! I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe! Thank you for letting me know! xT
l made this tonight, it was delicious. My family loved it as well.
l added a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil to the salad as well as much more pickled ginger.
l used the marinade as the sauce to simmer the salmon in.
Thank you so much Erica! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! xT
Delicious! Loved the flavor combination. Easy for a weeknight meal.
Thank you so much Emily! xT
I made this for dinner tonight and could not even stomach it. Sorry – this was not a hit for my family.
Hi Jill! Oh no I’m so sorry about that! How can I help? xT
Sounds delish! But how long can i keep the pickled jar of ginger in my fridge? I have some from an older recipe
It is a bit confusing because Step 1 instructs to mix the marinade ingredients. Then in Step 2 it instructs to mix the sauce making it sound separate from Step 1. Hopefully Tieghan will confirm.
Hi Becky! The recipe has been fixed now! xT
I think the sauce she’s referring to in step 2 must be her spicy mayo. You can find it here: https://fett-weg.today/havarti-avocado-sandwich/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Sounds & looks delicious but would love the recipe for sauce in step #2. Thank you 😊
It looks to me that the sauce is in step 1. Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl and sprinkle with chili flakes to taste. Then add the salmon.
Looks fabulous. Can’t wait to try it this week!
What sauce?
Step 2 sauce? What is the sauce? I’d like to add this to my menu this week.
Can you fix this recipe – what is the sauce in step 2? Thank you – looks delicious!
What are the ingredients for the sauce? Thank you
What sauce are you referring to in step 2??
Hi Patty! Are you referring to the spicy mayo sauce? xT
I can’t eat salmon could I use a firm white fish ?
Yes, you definitely can! xT