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Flavorful Honey Garlic Salmon Bowls Easy Recipe with Crisp Cucumber Salad

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A simple and satisfying honey garlic salmon bowl paired with a crisp cucumber salad, perfect for a quick, nourishing meal that balances sweet, savory, and fresh flavors.

Ingredients

  • Salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each; wild-caught if possible)
  • Honey (2 tablespoons; raw honey preferred)
  • Garlic cloves, minced (3 cloves)
  • Soy sauce (2 tablespoons; low-sodium)
  • Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon for glaze, plus 2 tablespoons for cucumber salad)
  • Sesame oil (1 teaspoon; toasted sesame oil)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Salt (a pinch for salmon, plus a pinch for cucumber salad)
  • English cucumber (1 large, thinly sliced)
  • Lightly packed sugar (1 teaspoon)
  • Sesame seeds, toasted (1 tablespoon)
  • Fresh dill or mint leaves, finely chopped (optional, about 1 tablespoon)
  • Cooked jasmine rice or brown rice (about 1 cup cooked per bowl)
  • Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Optional: avocado slices or steamed edamame

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice the English cucumber and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and toss gently. Let sit to draw out moisture.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Set aside.
  3. Cook jasmine or brown rice according to package instructions (about 15-20 minutes).
  4. Pat salmon fillets dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  5. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving to form a crust. Flip carefully.
  6. Pour the honey garlic glaze over the salmon. Reduce heat to low and spoon glaze over salmon continuously for 3-4 minutes until thickened and sticky.
  7. Drain excess liquid from cucumbers. Add rice vinegar, sugar, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped dill or mint if using. Toss gently.
  8. Divide cooked rice into bowls. Place glazed salmon on top, spoon remaining glaze over salmon. Add cucumber salad on the side. Garnish with green onions and optional avocado or edamame.

Notes

If glaze thickens too much or starts to burn, lower heat and add a teaspoon of water to loosen. Patience is key for slow caramelization. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari. Use thinly sliced cucumbers to keep salad crisp. Let salmon rest a minute after cooking for juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey garlic salmon, salmon bowl, cucumber salad, quick dinner, healthy salmon recipe, easy salmon glaze, fresh cucumber salad

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