Craving something vibrant, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to whip up? These Bang Salmon Bites Bowls deliver an explosion of taste and texture, combining perfectly cooked salmon with a creamy, spicy sauce, all nestled in a bed of your favorite grains and veggies. Get ready to experience a weeknight dinner game-changer – I promise you’ll be hooked!
What You’ll Need: The Ingredients
For the Bang Salmon Bites:
- Salmon Fillet: 1 pound, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup
- Sweet Chili Sauce: 2 tablespoons
- Sriracha: 1-2 teaspoons (adjust to your spice preference)
- Rice Vinegar: 1 teaspoon
- Honey: 1 teaspoon
For the Bowls (Customize to your liking!):
- Cooked Rice or Quinoa: 2-3 cups
- Avocado: 1, sliced
- Edamame: 1/2 cup, shelled
- Shredded Carrots: 1/2 cup
- Cucumber: 1/2, diced
- Green Onions: 2, sliced
- Sesame Seeds: For garnish
- Optional: Mango chunks, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, or any other toppings you enjoy!
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Salmon Bites:
- Prep the Salmon: Pat the salmon cubes dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting a nice sear! Don’t skip this step.
- Coat the Salmon: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss the salmon cubes in the mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Cooking the Salmon:
- Heat the Oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the salmon.
- Cook the Salmon: Add the salmon cubes to the skillet in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Don’t Overcook!: Overcooked salmon is dry salmon. Keep a close eye on it!
Making the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey until smooth.
- Adjust to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of sriracha to your desired level of spiciness.
Assembling the Bowls:
- Base Layer: Divide the cooked rice or quinoa among bowls.
- Add Toppings: Arrange the avocado, edamame, shredded carrots, cucumber, and any other desired toppings over the rice.
- Add Salmon: Place the cooked Bang Salmon Bites on top of the vegetables.
- Drizzle with Sauce: Generously drizzle the Bang Bang Sauce over the salmon bites and the rest of the bowl.
- Garnish: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy your delicious Bang Salmon Bites Bowls right away!
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
Getting the Perfect Sear on the Salmon:
The key to perfectly seared salmon is to ensure the salmon is dry and the skillet is hot. Patting the salmon dry removes excess moisture, allowing it to brown properly. Using a hot skillet ensures that the salmon doesn’t steam, but sears quickly.
Adjusting the Spice Level:
The amount of sriracha in the Bang Bang Sauce can be adjusted to your preference. Start with a small amount (1 teaspoon) and add more until you reach your desired level of spiciness. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can also use a milder chili sauce or omit the sriracha altogether.
Customizing Your Bowl:
One of the best things about these bowls is how customizable they are! Feel free to use whatever vegetables, grains, and toppings you have on hand. Mango chunks add a touch of sweetness, while pickled ginger provides a tangy kick. Seaweed salad is another great addition for a burst of flavor.
Make-Ahead Tips
Prep Ahead to Save Time:
To save time on busy weeknights, you can prep several components of the bowls ahead of time. The rice or quinoa can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The vegetables can also be chopped and stored in airtight containers. The Bang Bang Sauce can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The salmon is best cooked fresh for the best texture, but you can cube and season it ahead of time.
Variations to Try: Level Up Your Bowl!
Bang Bang Shrimp Bowls:
Swap the salmon for shrimp! Follow the same instructions, but reduce the cooking time for the shrimp to 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through.
Bang Bang Tofu Bowls:
For a vegetarian option, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Press the tofu to remove excess water, then cut it into cubes and follow the same instructions as the salmon. You might want to add a bit more cornstarch to the tofu to help it crisp up.
Spicy Peanut Sauce Option:
If you want to switch things up, try making a spicy peanut sauce instead of the Bang Bang Sauce. Combine peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sriracha, and a little water until smooth. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
Pairing Suggestions: What Goes Well With Bang Salmon Bites Bowls?
These bowls are a complete meal on their own, but you can also pair them with a light side dish. A simple green salad or some steamed edamame would be great choices. For a beverage, try a refreshing iced green tea or a light beer.
More Delicious Bowl Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of bowls, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:
- Enjoy a zesty Street Corn Chicken Bowl for a burst of summer flavors!
- Try a Taco Rice Bowl for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Combine the best of both worlds with a Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl!
- For a taste of the Mediterranean, try Mediterranean Chicken Bowls.
- Love the “bang bang” flavor? Check out the Bang Bang Chicken Bowl.
- Looking for extra protein? Don’t miss the High-protein Chicken & Avocado Salad Bowl.
Why You’ll Love These Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
Beyond their incredible taste, these Bang Salmon Bites Bowls are a weeknight winner because they’re quick, easy, and healthy. The recipe is flexible, so you can easily adapt it to your dietary needs and preferences. They’re also a great way to use up leftover rice or vegetables. Give them a try – I’m confident they’ll become a new favorite!
How can I adjust the spiciness of the Bang Bang Sauce?
Adjust the amount of Sriracha to your desired level of spiciness. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more until you reach your preferred heat level. You can also use a milder chili sauce or omit the Sriracha altogether.
What is the key to getting a good sear on the salmon?
Ensure the salmon is dry by patting it with paper towels and that the skillet is hot before adding the salmon. This prevents steaming and allows the salmon to brown properly.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can cook the rice or quinoa, chop the vegetables, and make the Bang Bang Sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. The salmon is best cooked fresh, but you can cube and season it in advance.
What are some variations I can try with this recipe?
You can substitute the salmon with shrimp or firm/extra-firm tofu. You can also try making a spicy peanut sauce instead of the Bang Bang Sauce.
Bang Salmon Bites Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the salmon cubes dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the salmon cubes in the mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the salmon cubes to the skillet in a single layer (you might need to do this in batches).
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey until smooth.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of sriracha to your desired level of spiciness.
- Divide the cooked rice or quinoa among bowls.
- Arrange the avocado, edamame, shredded carrots, cucumber, and any other desired toppings over the rice.
- Place the cooked Bang Salmon Bites on top of the vegetables.
- Generously drizzle the Bang Bang Sauce over the salmon bites and the rest of the bowl.
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately.
