Salmon Poke Bowl with Spicy Mayo

It doesn’t get any fresher than this recipe! This Salmon Poke Bowl combines marinated salmon with tons of fixings like pickled cucumber, sliced avocado, steamed asparagus, shredded carrots, and shelled edamame. It’s all placed on a bed of warm rice and topped with a generous drizzle of homemade spicy mayo made with sriracha.

If you love salmon, you should also check out my Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon, Cajun Salmon Croquettes, Smoked Salmon Sushi Burrito with Spicy Mayo, Pan-Seared Salmon with Succotash, and Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict.

Poke is traditionally made with raw (ahi) tuna or octopus that is cut into small cubes and “seasoned” with ingredients, soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine vinegar—basically, a marinade.

It has roots in Hawaii, but the marinade was heavily influenced by Asian cuisine. I like to think of this dish as the Hawaiian bowl of deliciousness. As a matter of fact, it reminds me of my time I had an opportunity to play a football game in Hawaii years ago, and one thing I remember about my visit was the abundance of fresh seafood.

Nothing says fresh more than poke. This recipe is perfect for anyone that truly enjoys fresh fish and fresh vegetables.

Is there a “right way” to make a poke bowl?

Not only can the seasoning used vary by preference, but the fish and toppings used can be swapped out as well. That’s the great thing about making poke bowls, there really is no “correct” way to make it, and you can make it your own!

Ingredients you’ll need to make your poke bowl:

• I went with a farm-raised, sashimi-quality, or sushi-grade salmon for the fish, although tuna is the most authentic fish to use. Ahi tuna can be hard to find (depending on your location), so I wanted to use a fish in this recipe that I not only enjoy but is easy to access in your local groceries. Note: A high-quality salmon is deemed safe to prepare and eat raw due to its caught and stored.
• For your fish seasonings and marinade, you’ll need sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ground thyme, low-sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, ground ginger, and minced garlic.
• The topping options are also all about preference. This poke bowl recipe is also loaded with sliced cucumbers (pickled in rice vinegar, water, sugar, and salt), shredded carrots, shelled edamame, steamed asparagus spears, and freshly cut avocado.
• We can’t forget about the spicy mayo to bridge all of those flavors together with a kick! The spicy mayo is a simple combination of Sriracha and mayo along with lemon juice, Himalayan pink salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
• You can turn your poke into a full meal when you place it on a bed of warm rice.

How to make a salmon poke bowl:

Prepare the salmon. Remove the skin from the salmon filet. The key to successfully fileting your fish is to have a sharp knife that can be worked in between the skin and fish. Place the fillet, skin-side down, on a chopping board. Holding the tail end firmly, use a sharp knife to cut the flesh and skin in the opposite direction from the tail end. Hold the end tightly, continue to cut along the fillet’s length, and then remove and discard skin. (You can also have your fish market handle this step in the process for you.) Chop the salmon into nice-sized 1/2 inch or 1-inch cubes, then place in a large bowl. Season the cubed salmon with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground thyme.

Make the marinade and refrigerate. Add your soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, ground ginger, and minced garlic into a separate bowl and whisk (paid link) until smooth. Cover and coat your salmon with this soy sauce mixture. Cover your salmon and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. If you allow it to marinate for longer, the flavors soak into the fish. Now let’s work on your toppings…

Prepare the toppings. Slice your cucumbers and place them into a bowl. Cover with your rice wine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, stir, cover, and allow the cucumbers to soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Cut the asparagus spears 1 inch from the top, then place them in a strainer. Add a few inches of water into a pot and bring to a boil, then place the asparagus spears over the steam for 10 minutes, then remove from steam. If your edamame is frozen, allow it to sit out until it becomes room temperature. Remove the skin and seed from the avocado and slice into slices, and set to the side.

Make the spicy mayo. Add the mayo, Sriracha sauce, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder into a bowl and whisk (paid link) together until smooth. Set this to the side.

Build your poke bowl. If making rice, cook according to instructions, then add cooked rice into a serving bowl. Top rice with the marinated salmon, shelled edamame, steamed asparagus spears, shredded carrots, sliced avocado, cucumber slices, and spicy mayo.

I just could not get enough of the combination of these fresh ingredients topped over a delicious bowl of rice. When you want to feel like you’re on a Hawaiian vacation, give this Salmon Poke Bowl and Spicy Mayo a spot on your dinner table!

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