Easy Miso Salmon Rice Bowl: Your Go-To Meal Prep Favorite

Umami Miso Salmon Rice Bowl: A Quick and Flavorful Meal Prep Recipe

Meal prep season is in full swing, and if you’re searching for a lunch option that’s both healthy and packed with umami flavor, this Easy Miso Salmon Rice Bowl is exactly what you need. Combining rich miso, soy sauce, and ginger, this dish is perfect for those who love a flavorful, nutritious meal that’s easy to prepare ahead of time. With broiled salmon that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, paired with a refreshing soy-ginger cucumber salad, this meal is sure to become a staple in your meal prep routine.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Salmon: Opt for a fatty piece of salmon like a 6 oz Atlantic Salmon center cut. It’s affordable, accessible, and ideal for portioning.

• Miso: Shiro (white) miso is milder and more readily available in grocery stores, but any type of miso can be used. Adjust the quantity based on the saltiness of the miso you choose.

• Sake: Use drinkable sake instead of cooking sake to avoid adding unnecessary salt. It’s a key ingredient in authentic Japanese cooking.

• Sesame Oil: Adds an aromatic kick and creates a nutty flavor profile when heated.

• Garnishes: Furikake (Japanese rice seasoning) and green onions are perfect toppings for this dish, adding an extra layer of umami and texture.

Salmon filets & Salmon marinading in the miso sauce

Salt absorbing the moisture from cucumber slices & soy-ginger cucumber salad final product

Air fryer option vs Broil salmon option

The Recipe:

Start with the Salmon

Ingredients:

• 4 skin-on salmon filets (4-6 oz per filet)

For the Marinade:

• 2 Tbsp miso (any type, I use white miso)

• 1 Tbsp sake

• 1 Tbsp mirin

• 1 Tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp sugar

• 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredient: 2 Tbsp Miso, 1 Tbsp sake, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp sugar.

2. Marinate the salmon: Rub the marinade onto the salmon, ensuring all sides are covered. Cover and place in fridge for 30-60 minutes.

3. Broil the salmon: Broil the salmon on high until the thickest part of the salmon is at an internal temperature of 120-130°F (10-12 minutes). For a more medium rare take the salmon out when it reaches 120°F.
   *Note: The USDA recommends fish internal temperature to be 145°F. Carryover cooking takes places, so it is important to take salmon out to rest before it reaches its target temp. It will continue to cook once off heat.

   1. Air fry Option: Alternatively, air fry the salmon at 400 degrees F for 7-9 minutes. The internal temperature should be at 120-130°F. I notice I get a more crispier salmon air frying than broiling.

Prepare the Soy-ginger cucumber salad

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber 

• 2 tsp salt 

• 3 Tbsp rice vinegar 

• 1 tbsp soy sauce 

• 1 tsp sugar 

• 2 garlic clove 

• 1 inch/1 tsp minced ginger 

• black pepper to taste

• 2 Tbsp sesame oil 

• Green onions thinly sliced

1. Prep the cucumber: Thinly slice cucumbers, then sprinkle the cucumbers with salt to draw out their moisture. Let them sit for 15 minutes. Rinse off the salt and dry. Transfer to a medium size bowl 

2. Make the Dressing: In a measuring cup, whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper 

Assemble the salad: Toss the cucumbers and green onions with the dressing. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve. 

Tips & Tricks:

1. Choosing the right Salmon:

   1. For the best flavor, look for a fatty cut of salmon, like the center cut of Atlantic Salmon. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can also use sockeye or coho salmon.

   2. Frozen salmon works just as well. Just be sure to thaw it out and pat it dry before marinating. 

2. Adjusting the Miso marinade taste: 

   1. If you prefer a stronger umami flavor, increase the amount of miso by 1-2 tablespoons. For a sweeter profile, add an extra teaspoon of sugar 

3. Different types of miso:

   1. Experiment with different types of miso (red, yellow, or white) to find your preferred flavor balance. Red miso gives a more intense flavor, while white miso is milder and sweeter. 

4. Perfecting the Cook on Salmon: 

   1. Avoid overcooking the salmon by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature. Remember, the salmon will continue to cook when resting after it is taken after the oven or airfryer.

5. Customizing the cucumber salad:

   1. If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, drizzle of chili oil, or a dash of sriracha to the cucumber salad 

   2. For added crunch, toss in some crushed peanuts or carrots 

6. Rice options: 

   1. While white rice is a great base, you can also use brown rice or quinoa for different textures

7. Garnishing

   1. Don’t skip the furikake! It adds such a unique depth of flavor that really ties the dish together. If you can’t find furikake, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and nori is a great substitute. 

Let me know how you make this recipe your own!

This Easy Miso Salmon Rice bowl is my favorite go to easy meal. Subscribe to my newsletter for more meal prep recipes every Sunday!