Easy Salmon Poke Bowl Recipe (w/ Spicy Mayo & Avocado)

Salmon poke bowls have become incredibly popular in recent years for good reason – they are fresh, flavorful, and make for a satisfying one-bowl meal. Poke is a Hawaiian term meaning “to slice” or “to cut.”, and a poke bowl typically consists of chunks of raw, marinated fish or other protein layered over rice and topped with various vegetables, sauces, and other mix-ins.

You should try making a salmon poke bowl at home because it allows you to customize the flavors exactly to your taste and pack it with nutritious ingredients. It also makes for a fun, interactive meal when you can set up various toppings and let everyone build their own bowl.

What is a Poke Bowl?

History and Origins

Poke bowls originate from the raw fish dishes eaten in Hawaii. “Poke” comes from the Hawaiian verb meaning “to slice” or “to cut”. Traditional Hawaiian poke was made from fresh chunks of raw tuna or octopus seasoned with sea salt, seaweed, and spices.

Over time as the dish spread to the mainland United States, the protein and seasoning options expanded beyond the traditional Hawaiian styles. Salmon, yellowtail, shrimp and various shellfish are now common proteins. Creative marinades and global fusion flavors are also popular modern poke additions.

Essential Elements

While creative adaptations are endless, a poke bowl at its core contains a few key components:

• Raw, cubed protein – Traditionally tuna or octopus, now often salmon, shrimp, scallops or other seafood
• Sushi rice – Short grain, seasoned rice made for sushi
• Marinade or sauce – For flavoring the protein
• Vegetables and toppings – Such as avocado, cucumber, edamame, seaweed, pickled ginger, radishes, etc.
• Garnish – Typically sesame seeds, Tobiko, furikake, or microgreens

This basic formula allows for unlimited flexibility and customization in putting together poke bowls.

What Makes Poke Bowls Unique?

Here are some key qualities that distinguish poke bowls and contribute to their popularity and addictive flavor:

• Fresh and raw – The use of high-quality raw proteins and vegetables
• Rice as base – Sushi rice provides carb foundation vs greens or noodles
• Customization – Diners can add desired toppings and control flavors
• Hawaiian influence – Hints of tropical, salty, sweet island flavors
• Umami-rich – Savory depth from seafood, soy sauce, seaweed
• Satisfying – Protein, veggies and whole grains make it a meal
• Trendy – A popular crossover of Hawaiian, Japanese and Californian cuisine

Salmon Poke Bowl Ingredients

Choosing Salmon

For poke bowls, wild caught salmon varieties like King or Sockeye are best. These salmon offer deep orange-red flesh and optimal omega-3 content. Avoid using Atlantic salmon which has lighter flesh and lower oil content.

Purchase sushi-grade salmon whenever possible, which has been flash frozen to kill any parasites. Otherwise, freeze regular salmon for 7-14 days before using raw in poke bowls.

Preparing the Salmon

Cut the salmon into 3/4 inch cubes. This size prevents the fish from becoming mushy or over-marinated.

Marinate the salmon for 30 minutes up to overnight. Quick marinades work well, but longer marinating allows the flavor to fully penetrate.

Try marinades like soy sauce, sesame oil, chili, garlic, ginger or citrus juices. Get creative mixing your own marinade flavors.

Spicy Mayo Sauce

A drizzle of spicy mayo adds a creaminess and kick that perfectly complements the fish. Here is a delicious homemade recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon sriracha
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Whisk together all ingredients until well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Cooking the Rice

Poke bowls call for slightly sticky sushi rice cooked a touch firmer than usual. Rinse the rice well before cooking until the water runs clear. Then follow package instructions, but reduce water by 1/4 cup and cook for an extra 2-3 minutes for firmer texture.

Season the rice with rice vinegar, sugar and salt while hot. Spread rice in a thin layer to cool quickly before using.

Ripening Avocados

Adding creamy cubes of ripe avocado balances the dish. To ripen hard avocados, place in brown bag with apple or banana for 2-3 days. Mash a small amount of flesh to check – avocados are perfectly ripe when buttery soft but not brown inside.

Once ripe, dice avocado into 3/4 inch cubes just before serving to prevent oxidation. Sprinkle with lemon juice to preserve color.

Assembling Your Salmon Poke Bowl

Layering the Ingredients

To build your poke bowl:

1. Add 3/4 cup cooked, seasoned sushi rice to the bottom of the bowl. Shape into a flat, even layer.
2. Arrange 1/2 cup salmon cubes over the rice. Spread fish out evenly.
3. Top with desired poke toppings like avocado, cucumber, edamame, carrot, seaweed. Layer toppings over salmon and rice.
4. Finish with poke sauce or condiments like spicy mayo, eel sauce or ponzu sauce. Drizzle attractively over the top.
5. Garnish with black or white sesame seeds, diced green onions, furikake or microgreens. Add texture and color.

Top Poke Bowl Toppings

Some tasty toppings to consider:

• Avocado – For creaminess
• Cucumber – For crunch
• Edamame – For added protein
• Carrots – For sweetness
• Radish – For spice and color
• Seaweed salad – For ocean flavor
• Kimchi – For a kick
• Mango – For tropical flavor
• Pickled Ginger – For zing

Get creative and add your favorite flavors!

Drizzling on Sauces

Finish your poke bowl with a drizzle of flavorful sauce over the top. Fun sauces to try:

• Spicy mayo – For creaminess and heat
• Eel sauce – For sweet and savory
• Ponzu – For citrus and soy flavors
• Sriracha – For sheer spiciness
• Unagi sauce – For rich, teriyaki flavors
• Soy glaze – For sheen and savoriness

Garnishing

Add visual appeal and textural contrast with garnishes like:

• Sesame seeds – Black or white
• Furikake – Japanese rice seasoning
• Tobiko – Bright caviar-like fish roe
• Microgreens – Colorful tender shoots
• Green onion – For fresh onion flavor
• Nori – For crunch and ocean taste

Sprinkle over your finished poke bowl for texture and pop.

Flavoring and Variations

Adjusting Spice Levels

To make spicy mayo milder, reduce sriracha to 1/2 tbsp. For extra heat, add more sriracha, freshly minced chili peppers, or a dash of cayenne.

Sample even more poke sauce recipes like mango habanero or ghost pepper if you dare!

Alternative Proteins

Try different raw proteins like:

• Tuna – The classic poke option
• Shrimp – Sweet and tender bites
• Scallops – Luxurious, meaty chunks
• Tofu – For a vegan version
• Chicken – Juicy and protein-packed

Marinate and slice proteins into 3/4 inch cubes like the salmon.

Creative Flavor Combinations

Some tasty flavors to mix and match:

• Spicy tuna with mango salsa and jalapeño
• Sesame shrimp with edamame and avocado
• Teriyaki chicken with pineapple and pepper
• Wasabi scallops with seaweed and radish
• Citrus tofu with carrot and cucumber

Try untraditional fruits, vegetables, herbs and global seasonings for fun new poke bowl flavor profiles.

Key Takeaways

• Poke bowls originate from Hawaiian raw fish dishes and contain cubed raw protein, rice, vegetables, and sauce.
• Wild salmon is an excellent choice of protein and provides omega-3s. Cut into 3/4 inch cubes.
• Traditional and more creative, global marinades can add big flavor.
• Cook sushi rice with less water for optimal texture to hold up in bowls.
• Ripe avocados, edamame, radishes and seaweed make tasty, nutritious toppings.
• Finish with a sauce like spicy mayo and garnishes like furikake and microgreens.
• Change up proteins and flavors for endless possibilities of delicious DIY poke bowls!

Tips for Success

• Use the freshest, highest-quality salmon and vegetables you can find.
• Taste and adjust seasoning of rice and sauces until perfectly balanced.
• Chill all ingredients before assembling bowls for optimal flavor and texture.
• Toss vegetables and proteins with a little marinade to amplify flavors.
• Play with new marinade blends and global seasoning combinations.
• Make the salmon and a few base ingredients in bulk for easy meal prep.
• Let friends and family build their own custom poke bowl creations.