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Salmon Quinoa Bowls

Published on April 14, 2023 by Stephanie Kay

Ready in under 30 minutes, this salmon quinoa bowl is perfect for a quick, easy, and healthy dinner. Filled with protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, these bowls are sure to fill you up without forgoing flavor.

Bowl with cooked quinoa, baked salmon, and cucumber salad covered in a creamy dressing.

Tired of the same old dinner routine? Tell me about it! These quinoa salmon bowls were inspired by a dinner rut, and they do not disappoint. The combination of salmon and quinoa makes these bowls super high in protein, with over 30 grams per serving, and can be enjoyed hot or cold, making them a great meal prep idea too.

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And, while they are clearly designed to include salmon and quinoa, the recipe is very versatile, so you can easily swap salmon for another fish or chicken, and you can use another whole grain, such as rice, brown rice, or bulgur if you’re not a fan of quinoa.

Ingredients for salmon and quinoa bowls; salmon fillets, quinoa, cucumber, arugula, dill, lemon, and spices.

Ingredients for Salmon Quinoa Bowls

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the protein, fiber, and flavor-packed bowls:

Salmon: The star ingredient of these salmon bowls – you can use any cut of fresh or frozen salmon. If using frozen salmon, just be sure to thaw it first.
Quinoa: The base to the bowls – you can use red, white, or tri-color quinoa. If you’re not a fan of quinoa, use rice instead.
Olive Oil: To cook the salmon and dress the salad.
Lemon: For the salmon marinade, cucumber salad, and sauce.
Honey: To balance the spices and create a bit of a sticky texture.
Spices: A mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to season the salmon.
Cucumber: You can use any style of cucumber you like and add it unpeeled or peeled.
Arugula: To mix with the cucumber. Feel free to add more if you want a heartier salad.
Fresh Herbs: Some dill to season the cucumber salad and finish the bowls, you can also use fresh parsley if you like.
Mayonnaise: To make the creamy sauce.
Dijon Mustard: To flavor the sauce.
Salt and Pepper: To season everything.

If you prefer things with a bit of heat (like I do), you can add a pinch of ground cayenne pepper to the salmon marinade and a few red pepper flakes to the cucumber salad.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make them Gluten-Free: No adaptations are needed, the bowls are gluten-free.

To Make them Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed, the bowls are dairy-free.

Raw salmon pieces on a baking sheet covered in marinade.

How to Make Salmon Quinoa Bowls

Ready in under 30 minutes, these bowls are quick and easy to make, here’s what you’ll do:

Cook the quinoa. Begin by cooking the quinoa.
Season the salmon. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl, add diced salmon, and stir gently until all the salmon is well coated.
Bake the salmon. Transfer the salmon to a sheet pan, place it in the oven, and bake to your liking.
Make the cucumber salad. Combine all the salad ingredients in a bowl and toss until well combined.
Make the sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients and whisk until creamy.
Assemble the bowls. Once all the components are ready, assemble the bowls, serve, and enjoy!

See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Bowl with cucumber, arugula, and dill salad.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Not only is salmon a wonderful source of animal protein but it’s filled with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are considered essential fatty acids because the body cannot produce them and, therefore, they must be obtained through the diet. While there is a debate as to whether wild salmon or farmed-raised salmon is better, overall, both are great choices, so simply use whatever you have access to and fits your budget.

FAQs

How many calories are in a salmon and quinoa bowl?

This salmon quinoa bowl contains 566 calories per serving.

What do season quinoa with?

Quinoa can be a little bland on its own, however, it takes on flavor very well. Quinoa can be seasoned during the cooking process with salt, pepper, dried herbs, and spices such as turmeric or cumin, or cooked in broth for additional flavor.

What to add to cooked quinoa?

Once cooked, you can season quinoa with fresh herbs, such as parsley, dill, basil, or mint, or toss the quinoa in a salad dressing or simple sauce such as pesto.

Baked salmon and quinoa bowl with cucumber salad and dressing.

Storage + Reheating

To Store: Store the components (quinoa, salmon, cucumber salad, and sauce) in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To Freeze: The salmon and quinoa can be stored in an airtight container and frozen for up to 3 months, however, the cucumber salad and sauce cannot be frozen.

To Reheat: While the bowls can be enjoyed cold if you prefer to eat them warm it is best to leave the components unassembled so that the quinoa and salmon can be reheated on their own before serving. Transfer the quinoa and salmon to a microwave-safe bowl and reheat for 1-2 minutes until warm and then top with cold cucumber salad and sauce.

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