Crispy Salmon Rice Bowl Better Than Tiktok The Mediterranean Dish

Salmon rice bowl, the Mediterranean way

Thanks to TikTok, the world has been turned on to making the beloved Emily Mariko’s salmon rice bowl for dinner. What a fun way to use up leftover salmon! My easy salmon bowls recipe is something a little different, with a delicious Mediterranean twist. This recipe starts with crispy rice (yes, I’ll show you how to get some good crunch on your day-old rice!), topped with chunks of quick pan-seared salmon in olive oil, and fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and bright bell peppers! Finish it with a drizzle of my tahini green goddess dressing, which comes together in just 5 minutes and that you can totally prepare ahead of time! These easy dinner bowls take only 20 minutes to put together. You’ll be making them on repeat!

Ingredients you’ll need for a salmon rice bowl

These rice bowls are easy to put together with a few simple ingredients including: Salmon, leftover rice, and a handful of fresh toppings you may have in your fridge! Let me share a few notes about these ingredients…

Crispy rice

To turn your average already cooked rice into crispy rice, all you need to add is a bit of fat and heat. Toss your basmati rice with a bit of Greek yogurt and ghee (clarified butter), then cook it in olive oil in a large skillet (large enough so the rice can be spread in one layer). The rice bits will turn crunchy and golden brown, and that’s exactly what you need! The method for creating crispy rice is inspired by tahdig, a Persian-style pan-fried rice dish with saffron, butter, yogurt, dried cherries, and more. It’s a beautiful golden rice “cake” with a crispy crust on top, and tender, fluffy rice inside. (Of course, tahdig is a labor of love and takes a bit more effort than my quick crispy rice in these salmon bowls). For best results, use day-old rice so that it crisps nicely. Freshly cooked rice has too much moisture and does not get as crispy.

Salmon

I use skinless salmon fillet in this recipe (center-cut is ideal so that it’s easy to cut into 1-inch cubes or chunks). To prepare it, you simply toss the salmon cubes with lemon juice and zest, garlic powder, dried oregano, and Aleppo pepper, then cook it for a total of no more than 7 minutes in some extra virgin olive oil. But, don’t forget, this salmon rice bowl recipe is the perfect opportunity to use up any leftover flaky salmon. So if you happen to have some salmon kabobs or baked salmon from last night’s dinner in your fridge, by all means, flake the cold salmon with a fork and use it in this recipe (no need to heat it up).

Toppings

You don’t need anything fancy for salmon rice: Some crunch, chew, and creaminess bring it all together! For my salmon rice bowl topping, I used:

Baby bell peppers (any color will work). Core the peppers and slice them up in thin rounds to add a rainbow of colors on top of your bowls! Green onions, both white and green parts, for some mild “oniony” flavor that is pleasant and not overwhelming. Fresh cilantro or parsley – Fresh herbs add beautiful bright color and fresh flavor! Cilantro is a bit more pungent with a somewhat citrusy taste, while parsley will give your salmon rice bowl a hint of a peppery bite. Sun-dried tomatoes – I love chopping up some of our all-natural sun-dried tomatoes to sprinkle on top. They’re sweet, a little tangy, and will make the salmon rice bowls even more colorful! Feta cheese – A crumble of creamy feta cheese in the brine is a salty, sharp finishing touch.

Sauce options for salmon rice bowls

To be honest, these dinner bowls are flavorful enough without any sauce, so feel free to skip it! But if you want your salmon rice bowl a little saucy, I have a few ideas for you:

Vegan green goddess dressing – Creamy herb sauces elevate simple fish dishes, and this green tahini sauce is no exception! Tzatziki – If you like your sauces tangy and garlicky, dollop some cooling tzatziki over your salmon bowls. Ladolemono sauce – Ladolemono is a lighter Greek sauce with lots of lemon – which is always a good idea when working with fish.

How to make salmon rice bowl (step-by-step)

Season the salmon. Toss cubed salmon with spices (2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper), a large pinch of kosher salt, the zest of 1 lemon, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Set it aside or refrigerate while you continue with the recipe. Fry the rice. Combine 3 cups cooked basmati rice (preferably day-old rice), 3 or 4 tablespoons Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon ghee in a medium mixing bowl. In a large non-stick skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons EVOO over medium-high heat and spread the rice mixture on the bottom in a single layer. Then leave it to cook undisturbed for 3 minutes or so. Mix the rice with a spoon and lower the heat to medium. Cook the rice for a further 10 to 15 minutes. Remember to stir it every 3 minutes, until most of it is crispy and golden-brown. Prepare the toppings. While the rice is cooking, work on the toppings and the salmon. Heat 1 tablespoon EVOO in a nonstick pan and add 3 baby bell peppers (cut into rings), and 3 chopped green onions (the white and green parts). Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, until crispy. Transfer to a plate and set aside for now. Chop a cup of fresh parsley or cilantro, and ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes. Set aside as well. Pan-sear the salmon. Heat a little more extra virgin olive oil (until shimmering) in the same pan that you used for the vegetables. Add the salmon cubes, and make sure each piece is touching the hot pan directly. This is how you get a nice crispy sear. If the pan is not big enough, it might be a good idea to do this step in batches. Reduce the heat to medium. Let the salmon cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes, until the bottom has gained nice color and crisped up, and the middle flesh looks a bit cooked. Carefully turn the cubes over and cook for a minute or 2, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Assemble your salmon rice bowl and serve. Divide the crispy rice and pan-seared salmon among 4 bowls. Add the toppings, including a little crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle some sauce over (optional). Serve and enjoy!

Variations

Try different toppings: Leftover roasted or grilled vegetables, or even vegetable kabobs would make a delicious veggie topping for your salmon bowls. Swap out the salmon. Not a fan of salmon? No worries! Try grilled shrimp, Sliced lemon chicken, halved turkey meatballs, or beef shawarma would all complement the crispy rice very well! Or top with a whole crispy skin pan seared salmon fillet. Use brown rice. If you prefer brown rice, use it instead of basmati rice and follow the recipe as written to fry it. The beauty of this gluten-free recipe is you can use basically any kind of day-old rice! Add an egg. For more protein, top your salmon rice bowl with a za’atar fried egg or some sliced fried boiled eggs!

Leftovers and storage

Store leftovers separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat the rice and vegetables together on the stove over medium heat, and flake leftover salmon over afterward. It is tough to reheat salmon without it becoming rubbery. The heat from the rice and toppings will warm it up quickly anyway!