We’ve all been there- the sad lunch struggle. You know, the one with limp sandwiches, wilted salads, or that burrito bowl that somehow costs $15 but still leaves you hungry. Well, it’s time to break that cycle. Enter the unsung hero of weekday lunches: the grain bowl. Meal prep friendly, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to make you actually look forward to lunch. This spicy salmon bowl will be the reigning champion of your lunch lineup.
Each component is delicious on its own, but when you mix them together, something magical happens. It’s fresh, filling, and just the right amount of fiery. Basically, the total opposite of a sad desk lunch (and proof that meal prep doesn’t have to be boring.)
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chili garlic sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 4 (4-oz.) salmon fillets
Pickled cucumbers:
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar or rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
Spicy mayo:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. Sriracha
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
Bowls:
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, finely grated
- 1/2 red onion
- Fresh cilantro leaves and toasted sesame seeds, for serving
Directions
Step 1
First things first, with the rack in the center, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, line a large baking sheet lined with foil or silicone mat (easy cleanup, yay!) In a medium bowl, whisk together garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, chili garlic sauce, lime juice, and honey. Toss the salmon gently in that flavorful mix until it’s fully coated. Then, lay those fillets on your baking sheet and get ready for magic.
Step 2
Slide the salmon into the oven and bake until tender and flakey, about 20 to 25 minutes. Get ready for your kitchen to basically smell amazing.
Step 3
After that, grab a heatproof bowl or jar. Microwave the vinegar, sugar, and salt for around 2 minutes, just until the sugar and salt dissolve. As a result, quick and easy pickling magic.
Step 4
Stir in sesame oil, then toss in your cucumbers. Shake, cover, and let them sit at room temp while you finish up the rest.
Step 5
Once that’s done, grab a small bowl and mix together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Before you know it, your creamy, spicy drizzle is ready for action.
Step 6
Last but not least, assembly time! Start by dividing your rice among the bowls. Then, top with that perfectly baked salmon. After that, add the pickled cucumbers, creamy avocado, crunchy carrots, sliced onion, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Finally, finish with a generous drizzle of spicy mayo and enjoy!
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