Teriyaki Salmon Protein Bowl - A Fast, Flavor-Packed Weeknight Meal

Ingredients

• Salmon fillets (about 1 to 1.25 lbs, skin-on or skinless)
• Cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine) or cauliflower rice
• Broccoli florets
• Edamame (shelled, frozen is fine)
• Carrot (julienned) and cucumber (thinly sliced)
• Green onions, sesame seeds
• Avocado (optional)
• Cooking oil (avocado or sesame oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Teriyaki sauce ingredients: Soy sauce or tamari
• Honey or brown sugar
• Rice vinegar
• Garlic (minced) and ginger (grated)
• Cornstarch (for thickening)
• Water
• Toasted sesame oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Make the rice: Cook your preferred rice according to package directions. Fluff and keep warm. For a low-carb option, sauté cauliflower rice with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of sesame oil.

2. 2

   Prep the veggies: Steam or microwave broccoli until crisp-tender. Rinse edamame under warm water or microwave to heat. Slice carrots, cucumber, and green onions.

3. 3

   Whisk the teriyaki: In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2–3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1/2 cup water. In another cup, stir 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water.

4. 4

   Cook the salmon: Pat salmon dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium-high. Place salmon skin-side down (if using skin), cook 3–4 minutes, flip, cook 2–3 minutes more until just opaque. Remove to a plate.

5. 5

   Thicken the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the teriyaki mixture into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1–2 minutes until glossy and thick. Stir in 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil.

6. 6

   Glaze the salmon: Return salmon to the pan and spoon sauce over the top for 30–60 seconds to coat.

7. 7

   Assemble bowls: Add rice to bowls. Top with broccoli, edamame, carrots, cucumber, and salmon. Spoon extra sauce over everything. Finish with green onions, sesame seeds, and avocado if using.