Teriyaki Salmon Bowls

This Teriyaki Salmon Bowls recipe is healthy, easy to make, and easy to customize! Also known as Salmon Buddha Bowls, our recipe has heart-healthy quinoa and is loaded with all your favorite veggies!

I’m all for one-dish meals. The less clean-up after a meal, the better!

I remember when Buddha bowls first came on the scene. They were the answer to quick and healthy lunches you could bring to work that were far from boring. Loved them then and love them still!

And if you’ve never made one at home, you’re in for a treat! These Teriyaki Salmon Bowls are one of my favorite healthy lunches to help fuel me during the work day. They’re super tasty, and you can make them to fit your taste preference!

Jump to:

• 🌟 Why this recipe works
• 🍚 What is a Buddha bowl?
• 🥕 Ingredient notes
• ✅ Step-by-step instructions
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
• 🍽 Serving ideas
• 🍷 Wine pairings
• 🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
• 🐟 More healthy salmon recipes
• Teriyaki Salmon Bowls

🌟 Why this recipe works

Get ready to fall in love with this healthy teriyaki salmon rice bowl recipe!

• Easy: this is a very easy recipe that follows a simple general guideline.
• Fresh & simple: it uses fresh, healthy ingredients you can find in any grocery store.
• Fast: you can make this in as little as 15 minutes if you’ve got pre-cut veggies and pre-cooked grains. If not, you can still make this healthy meal in
• Healthy & balanced: with grains, protein, and fresh toppings, this is a balanced meal you can feel good about.

🍚 What is a Buddha bowl?

The Queen of All Things Domestic, Martha Stewart, reportedly published the first known Buddha bowl recipe in 2013, according to Bon Appetit magazine. Since then, the term has been used by food enthusiasts the world over and mostly applied to vegan bowls filled with a variety of foods.

In general, I interpret the term Buddha bowl to refer to balance: a balance of ingredients to be enjoyed in one meal. Each bowl has a balance of grains, vegetables, and plant proteins or light, healthy seafood or meat proteins.

🥕 Ingredient notes

Salmon – This recipe calls for two 6-ounce salmon fillets, which are perfect for two dinner servings or four lunch portions. I prefer to keep the salmon skin on, but you can make this with skinless salmon filets if you prefer.

Grains – I make my salmon buddha bowls with quinoa, but you can easily substitute white rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or a bed of sushi rice for salmon rice bowls. I’ve never made this with couscous before, but I imagine that would also be a delicious grain substitute!

Vegetables – my base recipe calls for a rainbow of healthy fresh veggies: carrots, red bell peppers, cucumber, red cabbage. Other great vegetable options that would taste amazing in these bowls: snap peas, broccoli florets, sweet potato, creamy avocado, and edamame.

Sauce – for this simple homemade teriyaki sauce, you’ll need soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar.

OPTIONAL – these ingredients are merely a starting point for a well-balanced bowl. Feel free to garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chopped fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, drizzled spicy mayo or sriracha.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here’s a visual step-by-step to guide you as you make these delicious healthy salmon teriyaki bowls!

Make the sauce

• In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients. Set aside.

Make the Base

• Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
• In a skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the salmon fillets. Season with salt and pepper. Flip over once the bottom is cooked, then remove from the stove once the salmon is cooked through.

Assemble the salmon quinoa bowl

• Divide the cooked quinoa between two bowls.
• Top each with a salmon fillet.
• Add your choice of vegetable toppings.
• Pour half of the sauce over each bowl.
• Top with cilantro and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

🍽 Serving ideas

This teriyaki salmon bowl recipe is a great option for weeknight dinners and it’s a great meal prep recipe.

If you want to make a heartier dinner serving, consider serving it alongside a healthy side dish like Instant Pot Broccoli. Or enjoy some tasty treats with it like Air Fryer Crab Rangoon or an indulgent Filipino Macaroni Salad.

🍷 Wine pairings

Serve this teriyaki salmon bowl with a crispy white wine like a dry Riesling or unoaked Chardonnay. Because salmon is a meatier fish, it would also be delicious with an Oregon Pinot Noir.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:

• Bowl – you’ll need a large bowl or medium bowl and a whisk to mix together the homemade teriyaki sauce.
• Pan – Use a sauté pan or nonstick skillet to cook the salmon.
• Cutting board and knife – Use a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife to cut the veggies.

🐟 More healthy salmon recipes

If you love these teriyaki salmon bowls, try our Air Fryer Salmon Bites! Or try one of these salmon recipes:

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!