I can still remember the first time I made a simple sauce that woke up a plain weeknight salmon and turned it into something we all lingered over. The kitchen smelled sweet and spicy in equal measure, and my kids kept asking for “that sticky fish” until every last grain of rice was gone. Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls arrive at my table on nights when I want comfort without the fuss, bright flavors without a big cleanup, and a meal that feels both indulgent and wholesome. I love how the heat from sriracha meets the mellow sweetness of honey and the round umami of low-sodium soy sauce. If you like quick dinners with big personality, this is the kind of recipe that becomes a go-to. For a slightly different take when you’re craving crispy edges, try this Honey Garlic Salmon Air Fryer that inspired me to experiment with sticky glazes at home.
Kitchen Essentials You’ll Need
A few reliable tools make this recipe effortless and keep the cleanup manageable. You don’t need anything fancy, just pieces that help with even cooking and quick assembly.
- A large nonstick or stainless-steel skillet with a lid or splatter guard for cooking the salmon evenly.
- A medium mixing bowl for whisking the marinade and marinating the salmon.
- Measuring spoons and a tablespoon for accuracy with the soy, honey, and sriracha.
- A sharp knife and cutting board to cube the salmon and prep avocado and cucumber.
- Rice cooker or a pot for steady, fluffy white rice.
- Serving bowls and a small spoon or squeeze bottle for the sriracha mayo.
A good skillet and a sharp knife will save you time and make the salmon look restaurant-ready. If you want faster weeknight prep, pre-cooked rice packets and thawed, cooked edamame are great time savers.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls
This recipe checks so many tiny boxes that make dinner feel like a hug. The texture contrast is delicious. The salmon gets a lightly caramelized exterior from the honey-sriracha glaze while staying tender and silky inside. Flavors are bold yet balanced. The sweet notes of honey calm the sriracha’s brightness, and low-sodium soy sauce brings depth without overwhelming the palate. Crunch from cucumber and cream from diced avocado round everything out.
- Comfort meets convenience. You can have a bowl on the table in about 30 minutes, and it feels special enough for guests.
- Crowd-pleasing spice. The heat is lively but not aggressive. Red pepper flakes let you nudge it up further on each plate.
- Versatility at its best. Swap rice for quinoa or greens, and you still get the same satisfying bowl.
Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls are perfect when you want dinner that looks like you spent more time than you did. Every bite is layered: the warm rice, the glossy salmon, the cool cucumber, and that playful sriracha mayo drizzle. It is a small symphony of textures and temperatures that somehow feels both indulgent and light. If you enjoy a similar glaze profile, check out this honey-soy glazed salmon for another twist on saucy, sticky fish: Honey Soy Glazed Salmon.
Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls Ingredients
4 (4-6 ounce) salmon fillets, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 3 tablespoons water, 2 cups cooked white rice, 1 avocado, diced, 1 cucumber, sliced, 1 cup cooked edamame, ½ cup sriracha mayo, Red pepper flakes, Sesame seeds
Along with the ingredients listed above, I almost always reach for a couple of pantry staples to season and finish the dish. A pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are handy for seasoning the salmon before it hits the pan. A splash of neutral oil, like vegetable or light olive oil, helps the salmon sear without smoking. If your edamame is frozen, a quick blanch in salted water keeps it bright green and tender. For serving, a wedge of lime adds a lively citrus finish if you crave brightness. These bowls come together easily because the ingredients are straightforward, familiar, and available at most grocery stores.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut the salmon fillets into 1-inch cubes.
- Place the salmon skin-side down on a clean cutting board and use a sharp knife to make confident, even cuts. The cubes should feel slightly firm but tender. Set them in a shallow dish for marinating.
- In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, minced garlic, and water.
- Whisk until the honey dissolves and the sauce shines. The aroma of garlic will bloom as you stir, and the mixture should feel glossy and pourable.
- Add the salmon cubes to the marinade and let marinate for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Spoon the marinade over the salmon so each cube is coated. The fish will slightly firm up and take on a deeper color where the soy touches it. Refrigerate uncovered for just 20 minutes to let the flavors penetrate without breaking down texture.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil.
- Warm the pan until a drop of water sizzles and evaporates. Add just enough oil to coat the bottom. The oil should shimmer but not smoke.
- Add the salmon cubes to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through.
- Place cubes in a single layer and resist crowding the pan. You want golden edges to form and the interior to remain moist. Look for the salmon to turn opaque about two-thirds of the way up the cube before flipping.
- Pour the remaining marinade into the skillet with the cooked salmon and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- The sauce will bubble and reduce, becoming glossy and clingy. Stir gently to coat each cube. You will notice the aroma intensify and a sticky sheen develop on the fish.
- Assemble bowls starting with a layer of cooked rice, topped with salmon, diced avocado, cucumber, and cooked edamame.
- Use warm rice as a base so it softens the cucumber and avocado slightly as you eat. Arrange colors so the bowl looks inviting: green cubes, glossy salmon, pale rice.
- Drizzle sriracha mayo over the bowls and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.
- The mayo adds creaminess and cools the heat just enough. A light scatter of sesame seeds gives a nutty pop, while red pepper flakes let you dial up the spice.
- Serve immediately.
- These bowls are best warm. When the rice is steaming and the salmon is glossy from the sauce, carry them straight to the table and dig in.

Fun Variations You Can Try
- Swap the rice: Use brown rice, cauliflower rice, or a bed of mixed greens for a lighter bowl. Brown rice adds chew and nuttiness while greens make it more of a salad.
- Different proteins: Use cubed tofu or shrimp if you want a pescatarian-friendly change. Tofu benefits from pressing and a quick sear to get texture.
- Flavor swaps: Replace honey with maple syrup for a deeper sweetness, or use gochujang instead of sriracha for a fermented, complex heat.
- Texture play: Add pickled radishes or shredded carrots for bite and acidity. Crispy fried shallots make the bowl feel extra-special.
- Spice adjustments: For milder heat, halve the sriracha and add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil for aroma. For a spicier kick, mix chili oil into the sriracha mayo or add more red pepper flakes.
- Make it meal-prep friendly: Cook salmon and rice ahead and store separately. Assemble bowls before serving and drizzle the mayo just before eating for freshness.
These variations keep the soul of the recipe while giving you permission to play. I often choose a variation based on what’s in my fridge and the season.
How I Love to Serve It
When I serve these bowls, I like to layer textures and colors so each spoonful is interesting. I spoon the rice into the bowl first, spreading it into a warm nest. Then I pile the glazed salmon in a small mound to one side so its gloss catches the light. Diced avocado sits next to the salmon, cool and creamy. Sliced cucumber and a scatter of edamame make the bowl feel bright and fresh.
A tiny drizzle pattern with the sriracha mayo makes the bowl feel thoughtful, like you took a moment to dress it. I finish with sesame seeds and a whisper of red pepper flakes. If we’re having dinner outdoors on a mild evening, I set bowls on the porch table with a simple side of steamed broccoli or a crisp cabbage slaw. Indoors, a bowl like this is my favorite cozy counter meal. We often eat with chopsticks for fun, but a spoon is great for gathering rice, sauce, and every last sesame seed.
For family-style dinners, I put all the components in separate bowls and let everyone assemble their own. It’s an easy way to cater to different spice levels and to make dinner feel interactive and lively.
Helpful Tips from My Kitchen
Marinating and heat control are the two things that make a big difference here. Keep the following in mind when you try this recipe to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- Pat the salmon dry before cubing it. Excess moisture prevents a good sear and keeps the glaze from sticking.
- Don’t over-marinate. Twenty minutes is enough for flavor without turning the fish mushy.
- Use medium-high heat but watch for smoke. A hot pan gives you caramelized edges. If the pan smokes, lower the heat slightly.
- Work in batches if needed. Overcrowding the skillet can steam the salmon instead of searing it.
- Let the sauce reduce to a glossy coating but watch closely. Sugar in the honey can burn quickly once thick.
- For even cooking, try uniform cubes. I aim for 1-inch pieces so doneness is predictable.
- If using frozen edamame, thaw and warm quickly in salted water or a microwave to keep the bright color and snap.
- Make the sriracha mayo ahead and keep it chilled. It keeps flavors steady and is a quick finish at serving time.
Cooking is forgiving. Taste as you go and adjust salt and heat at the end. If a bowl needs brightness, a squeeze of fresh lime or a scatter of chopped scallion fixes it in seconds.
Important Cooking Reminders
- Always refrigerate marinated fish and do not leave it at room temperature for extended periods.
- Reheating: Gently reheat leftover salmon in a low oven (275°F) covered with foil for 8–10 minutes to preserve moisture, or briefly in a skillet over low heat. Avoid microwaving for long periods to prevent dryness.
- Storage: Store leftover salmon and rice separately in airtight containers. Use within 2 days for best quality.
- Don’t overcook: Salmon should flake easily with a fork and be opaque through the center. Overcooked salmon becomes dry.
- Safe handling: Wash hands, cutting boards, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw salmon to prevent cross-contamination.
- Sauce caution: When reducing the marinade, bring it to a gentle boil and simmer until thickened to ensure raw juices are cooked through.
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
This is an estimated breakdown per bowl based on typical portion sizes. Calories are moderate given the salmon and avocado. The bowl provides a satisfying balance of macros: protein from the salmon and edamame, healthy fats from avocado, and carbohydrates from the rice.
Approximately 520–650 calories per bowl depending on rice portion and mayo amount. Carbs around 45–60 grams thanks to the rice. Fat approximately 20–30 grams from salmon, avocado, and mayo. Protein roughly 30–40 grams from the salmon and edamame. Adjust portions and swaps like cauliflower rice to lower carbs and total calories.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 bowls

Common Questions You Might Have
What if I can’t find salmon fillets that size? I often find salmon in a variety of thicknesses. If your fillets are larger, cut them to the 1-inch cube size specified or reduce cooking time for thinner pieces. The key is even cubes so everything cooks uniformly.
Can I make this gluten-free or lower sodium? Yes. Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce to make the bowl gluten-free. To reduce sodium further, dilute the soy sauce slightly with water or use a low-sodium tamari. Taste the marinade before adding salt. You can also swap rice for cauliflower rice to lower carbs.
How do I store and reheat leftovers so they still taste good? Store salmon and rice in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or in a skillet with a splash of water or oil to prevent drying. Keep the sriracha mayo chilled and add it just before serving. If the sauce has thickened in the fridge, loosen it with a teaspoon of water or warm it briefly to revive the glaze.
Conclusion
There is something quietly joyful about a bowl that balances sweet, spicy, tender, and crunchy in one spoonful. The contrast of a glossy, honey-sriracha glazed salmon against creamy avocado and crisp cucumber feels like hospitality in a single serving. These bowls have become my solution for busy evenings when I want something that tastes like effort without the long checklist. They are forgiving in the kitchen and customizable at the table, which is why I reach for them again and again when I want to feed my family something nourishing and a little bit thrilling. Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls have that rare mix of comfort and brightness that makes dinner feel like both a treat and a reset. I hope you find them easy to love, quick to make, and endlessly adaptable to your pantry and mood. Enjoy each warm, saucy, crunchy bite.
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Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
Delicious salmon bowls featuring a sticky honey-sriracha glaze, served over rice with avocado and cucumber for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 (4-6 ounce) salmon fillets
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cooked edamame
- ½ cup sriracha mayo
- Red pepper flakes (to taste)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Neutral oil (for cooking)
- Wedge of lime (for serving)
Instructions
- Cut the salmon fillets into 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sriracha, minced garlic, and water until smooth.
- Add the salmon cubes to the marinade and let marinate for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil.
- Add the salmon cubes and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through.
- Pour the remaining marinade into the skillet and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Assemble bowls starting with a layer of cooked rice, followed by salmon, diced avocado, cucumber, and edamame.
- Drizzle sriracha mayo over the bowls, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately and enjoy warm.
Notes
Feel free to customize the bowls with different grains or proteins based on your preference. Leftover salmon and rice can be stored separately for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: salmon, sriracha, honey, bowl meal, quick dinner, healthy recipe
