Description
A fresh, vibrant, and ridiculously easy Mediterranean Salmon Bowl with cucumber and feta that comes together in about 20 minutes. It’s a healthy, customizable weeknight winner that tastes gourmet but requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6oz each / 1.5kg)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup uncooked Basmati or Jasmine rice (or quinoa)
- 1 large English cucumber, diced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat)
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- Optional: ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives
- Optional: 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package directions, rinsing it first to remove excess starch. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep the vegetables: dice the cucumber, halve the tomatoes, crumble the feta, and chop fresh herbs.
- Pat salmon fillets dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy.
- Flip salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until opaque and flaky. Alternatively, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine rice, cucumber, tomatoes, and olives. Drizzle with half the dressing and toss gently.
- Divide the rice mixture among four serving bowls.
- Flake the cooked salmon into large chunks and place on top of the rice.
- Drizzle remaining dressing over the salmon, sprinkle with feta and fresh herbs, and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcook the salmon; pull it off heat when just barely opaque as it will continue to cook. For best flavor, let the dressing sit for 15 minutes before serving. This dish tastes great cold or at room temperature, making it ideal for meal prep. Avoid freezing as the cucumber becomes soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: salmon bowl, mediterranean diet, healthy dinner, quick meals, salmon recipe, cucumber feta salad, weeknight dinner, gluten-free options