A delicious and easy 10-Minute Salmon and Rice Bowl can be made with leftover rice, salmon (or canned salmon), avocado, tamari (or soy sauce), and a little sriracha and mayo.
These salmon and rice bowls are made to make meals easy while still being healthy and well-balanced.
We’re getting a lot of flavor, a lot of protein, and healthy omega-3 fats.
This Salmon and Rice Bowl idea went viral on TikTok, and as a big fan of salmon, I knew I had to give them a try.
They are easy to make and take less than 10 minutes (if you have leftover rice and salmon). They also give you energy.
Canned salmon is an affordable and convenient way to enjoy the health benefits of salmon any night of the week. Combining canned salmon with rice makes for a fast filling and highly nutritious meal. In this article, we will explore some of the best canned salmon and rice recipe ideas to add to your regular dinner rotation.
Why Canned Salmon and Rice Make a Great Meal
There are several reasons why canned salmon and rice pair so well together
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Quick and easy – No need to cook fresh salmon. Just open a can, prepare some rice, and dinner is ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights.
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Budget-friendly – Canned salmon costs a fraction of fresh salmon. Combining it with inexpensive rice helps stretch your grocery dollars.
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Nutrient-dense – Salmon is rich in protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Pairing it with fiber- and antioxidant-rich whole grains like brown rice makes for a very nutritious meal.
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Contenting: Salmon and rice together give you a full source of protein and complex carbs that keep you full and energized.
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Flexible: Salmon and rice can be used as the base for a huge number of quick and easy meals by simply switching up the toppings and seasonings.
So if you want to enjoy salmon more often while keeping your grocery bill in check, look no further than canned salmon and rice!
5 Delicious Canned Salmon Rice Bowl Recipes
Rice bowls topped with canned salmon make for a fast, filling, nutrient-packed lunch or dinner. Simply cook up some rice, open a can of salmon, and add your favorite veggies and seasonings. Here are 5 delicious canned salmon rice bowl recipes to try:
1. Spicy Sriracha Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Canned salmon
- Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- Sriracha
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Seaweed snacks
Instructions:
Mix salmon with mayonnaise and Sriracha. Serve over cooked rice and top with avocado, cucumber, green onions, sesame seeds, and seaweed snacks. The spice of the Sriracha paired with the creaminess of avocado makes for an amazing flavor combo.
2. Curry Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Canned salmon
- Lemon juice
- Curry powder
- Salt
- Carrots
- Peas
- Celery
- Radishes
- Red bell pepper
- Green onions
- Lemon zest
- Sunflower seeds
Instructions:
Mix salmon with lemon juice, curry powder, and salt. Serve over rice and top with sautéed veggies like carrots, peas, and celery. Garnish with crunchy radishes, bell pepper, green onions, lemon zest, and sunflower seeds. The curry seasoning gives this bowl an aromatic, exotic flair.
3. Maple Dijon Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Canned salmon
- Dijon mustard
- Maple syrup
- Asparagus
- Arugula
- Carrots
- Leftover roasted veggies
- Alfalfa sprouts
- Crispy roasted chickpeas
Instructions:
Stir Dijon mustard and maple syrup into the salmon. Pile over rice and top with crisp, fresh veggies like asparagus, arugula, and carrots. The maple Dijon salmon provides a slightly sweet, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh veggies.
4. Creamy Sweet Chili Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Canned salmon
- Sweet chili sauce
- Greek yogurt or mayo
- Red bell pepper
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cucumber
Instructions:
Mix salmon with sweet chili sauce and Greek yogurt or mayo. Serve over rice and top with quick-pickled vegetables like red bell pepper, cabbage, carrots, and cucumber. The sweet and creamy chili sauce gives this bowl an irresistible flavor.
5. Sesame Soy Ginger Salmon Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
- Cooked rice
- Canned salmon
- Coconut aminos or soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Ground ginger
- Green beans
- Edamame
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions:
Combine salmon with coconut aminos, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and ginger. Serve over rice and top with sautéed veggies like green beans, edamame, broccoli, and carrots. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. The classic Asian-inspired flavors take this salmon rice bowl to the next level.
Healthy Canned Salmon Recipes Beyond Rice Bowls
While salmon rice bowls are quick and easy, canned salmon can also be used to make a variety of nutritious dishes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some creative recipes to take your canned salmon game to the next level:
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Salmon cakes – Combine canned salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices. Pan fry into patties and serve with lemon wedges for a filling entrée.
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Salmon salad sandwiches – Flake canned salmon and mix with mayo, lemon juice, celery, onion. Enjoy between slices of whole grain bread or stuffed in a pita pocket.
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Salmon hash – Sauté canned salmon with potatoes, peppers, onions, and spices for a hearty one-skillet meal. Top with a fried egg for extra protein.
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Salmon fried rice – Stir canned salmon into leftover chilled rice along with frozen peas, carrots, eggs, and soy sauce. Quick weekday meal.
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Salmon quesadillas – Fill whole wheat tortillas with canned salmon, black beans, salsa, and cheese. Grill until crispy.
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Salmon avocado toast – Top whole grain toast with mashed avocado and canned salmon. Finish with lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and everything bagel seasoning.
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Salmon omelet – Make fluffy egg white omelets filled with canned salmon, spinach, and feta cheese for a protein-packed breakfast.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating canned salmon into easy weekday meals. With a little creativity, you can enjoy salmon any night of the week.
Tips for Selecting and Preparing Canned Salmon
When shopping for canned salmon, opt for wild-caught varieties like sockeye and pink salmon rather than farmed Atlantic salmon. Wild salmon contains more heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Look for BPA-free cans to avoid chemical contaminants.
Popular brands like Safe Catch and Vital Choice steam-cook their salmon within the can, allowing them to use less liquid while still achieving safety requirements. This results in a better texture and flakier salmon. Conventional canned salmon tends to be mushier with lots of liquid.
It’s always a good idea to drain and rinse canned salmon before use to remove excess sodium, fat, and liquid. Flake the salmon apart with a fork to incorporate any seasonings.
If the salmon still seems a little too wet for your planned recipe, you can dry it out further by squeezing handfuls over a paper towel to absorb more moisture.
For maximum flavor and moisture, try adding the salmon at the very end of cooking the rice. Gently fold it in just until warmed through then immediately remove from heat. This prevents the delicate salmon from being overcooked.
When reheating canned salmon, it can quickly dry out in the microwave. For best results, cover with a damp paper towel and heat at half power in short 30 second intervals just until warmed through. You can also reheat gently in a skillet with a bit of water or oil.
With a little practice, canned salmon can be an easy, nutritious addition to your regular dinner rotation. Start with simple rice bowls and expand your canned salmon repertoire over time. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality salmon dishes on a budget!
How to Make a Salmon and Rice Bowl:
Put the extra salmon filet on a plate or in a bowl, and then use a fork to break it up into smaller pieces. If you’re using canned salmon, drain it first, then add it to the bowl.
On top of the salmon, put the extra rice. Cover the bowl with a paper towel or parchment paper and heat it in the microwave for two to three minutes, or until everything is hot.
You can heat the salmon and rice in a nonstick skillet over medium or medium-high heat for a few minutes instead of microwaving them. After that, they will be fully heated. It’s okay to add a little olive oil or water to the pan if the food starts to dry out.
If you like crispy salmon skin and rice, I suggest heating the ingredients on the stove. The tasty salmon rice bowl tastes even better with some texture.
Stir in the coconut aminos, sriracha, and Japanese mayo (or your favorite mayo) until everything is combined. Taste for flavor and add sea salt and/or more coconut aminos if desired.
Serve the bowls with fresh sliced avocado and roasted seaweed snacks. As a sushi paper, you can put the avocado, rice, and salmon mixture inside the seaweed snacks to make a small sushi roll.
So there you have it—a quick and easy meal that lives up to all the hype! Make this bowl your own to make salmon rice bowls a regular in your home.
I promise once you make one bowl, you’ll want to put it on repeat!
A great way to use up leftover salmon fillets and rice, a simple recipe, and a lunch or dinner that tastes great all around.
Make it Into A Meal Prep Recipe:
This salmon rice bowl recipe makes just one bowl for a single serving.
To make this tasty recipe into a meal prep recipe, just make a lot of rice and salmon at once and eat it all week. Base the amounts you make on how many meals you’re looking to cover. Be sure to use a rice cooker if you have one to minimize the prep.
You can keep rice fresh in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. You can also keep salmon fresh in an airtight container for up to five days.
Looking for more delicious quick and easy bowl recipes? Try out these healthy dinner recipes!
HOW TO COOK (Canned Salmon & Rice)Delicious & Quick #salmonrice
FAQ
Should you rinse canned salmon?
Does canned salmon have to be cooked before eating?
How do you cook salmon fillets in rice?
Carefully remove the salmon from the rice and place it on a plate. Sprinkle fresh parsley and stir to combine. Arrange salmon fillets on top of the rice in the pan. Cover the pan with a lid, remove the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! After you bring the rice to a boil, reduce the heat so it gently simmers.
Can I eat cured salmon roe while pregnant?
Salmon roe are the eggs of salmon and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, important for the development of the brain and nervous system of the fetus. Cured salmon roe is generally found to be low in mercury and considered safe when eaten in small amounts during pregnancy. Some doctors and health officials may still recommend avoiding fish roe during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are other ways to consume the omega-3 fats that are healthy for both mom and baby, including salmon fillets and dietary supplements. If you consume salmon roe, it should come from a trustworthy source who has cured and handled it properly.
Can you put salmon in a rice bowl?
This salmon rice bowl is good with any type of salmon, so you can use your favorite salmon recipe. But what really makes it shine is this marinated salmon! It adds an extra punch of flavor with soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar and garlic. Here are a few things to know: Place the salmon in shallow dish, then pour in the marinade mixture.
What is a salmon and rice dish?
This salmon and rice dish ticks all the boxes: It’s easy to make, uses a bunch of simple ingredients, is healthy for you, and tastes absolutely amazing! This Asian-inspired recipe melds together honey-soy salmon bites, steaming rice, crisp, umami seaweed, nutty sesame seeds, and a few veggies like avocado, cucumber, and radishes.