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I stumbled onto this recipe during a health kick that didn't stick, but these bowls sure did. Standing here, watching salmon caramelize while my kitchen fills with the smell of homemade teriyaki sauce, I'm reminded why this has become my number one "I need to feel good about what I'm eating but also want it to taste amazing" meal.
The Building Blocks
Look, you need some specific things:
Good salmon - don't cheap out here
Fresh veggies - whatever's in season
Ripe avocado - timing matters
Decent rice - it's the foundation
Homemade sauce - trust me on this
The sauce thing? I fought it at first. Used to buy the bottled stuff until one night when I ran out and had to make my own. Now I can't go back. It's like the difference between instant and real coffee - once you know, you know.
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The Art of Assembly
Okay, here's the real deal - cooking the salmon right makes or breaks this whole thing. Took me forever to figure out that letting it marinate too long makes it weird and mushy, not long enough and it's just... boring. Now I give it exactly twenty minutes, just enough time to cook the rice and chop everything else.
Playing with Heat
Listen, your air fryer is your best friend here:
Gets the edges perfectly crispy
Keeps the middle tender
Takes literally minutes
Makes cleanup easy
Never dries it out
I used to do it in the oven until my neighbor lent me her air fryer. Never looked back. Still have her air fryer too, actually.
Building Your Bowl
The trick is getting everything ready at the right time:
Rice needs to be hot
Salmon should rest but not get cold
Cut avocado last minute
Keep your sauce warm
Add herbs right at the end
Storage Stuff
Real talk - these are best fresh, but life happens:
Keep everything separate if meal prepping
Save the avocado for last minute
Salmon's actually decent cold
Sauce stays good for ages
Rice reheats fine with a splash of water
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Perfect Ending
Made these for my mother-in-law last week. She asked for the recipe, which if you know anything about mother-in-laws, is basically a miracle. That's the thing about good food - sometimes it even fixes family dynamics.
And seriously - make extra sauce. You'll thank me when you're putting it on everything from eggs to roasted vegetables three days later.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I cook the salmon differently?
- Yes, you can bake at 400°F for 7-9 minutes or grill for about 10 minutes total.
- → Is this bowl customizable?
- Yes, add your choice of vegetables and swap rice for cauliflower rice for low-carb option.
- → Can I make the sauce ahead?
- Yes, the teriyaki sauce can be made and refrigerated several days ahead.
- → How do I make it gluten-free?
- Simply use gluten-free soy sauce in the teriyaki sauce.
- → Can I make it vegetarian?
- Yes, substitute salmon with crispy air-fried tofu tossed in teriyaki sauce.