Mediterranean Salmon Bowl (Printable)

Pan-seared salmon meets crispy rice with bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta in this vibrant Mediterranean bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 salmon fillets (about 5.3 oz each), skin-on, pin bones removed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Rice

04 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice, preferably chilled
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables & Toppings

06 - 1 cup baby bell peppers, sliced into rings
07 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
08 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
10 - 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges

→ Optional

11 - 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
12 - 1 small cucumber, diced

# Directions:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add cooked rice, pressing gently with a spatula to form a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Stir and crisp further if desired.
04 - In a separate pan over medium heat, quickly sauté sliced baby bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Remove from heat.
05 - Divide crispy rice among four serving bowls. Top each portion with one salmon fillet.
06 - Arrange sautéed baby bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh cilantro around the salmon. Add olives and diced cucumber if using.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for garnish and flavoring.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High in protein with 33g per serving from fresh salmon.
  • Gluten-free and pescatarian-friendly, making it suitable for various diets.
  • Quick and efficient, taking only 40 minutes from prep to table.
  • Features a unique texture contrast between flaky fish and crispy pan-fried rice.
02 -
  • Always pat the salmon skin dry before cooking to ensure it becomes truly crispy.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when crisping the rice; cook in batches if necessary.
  • Check ingredient labels for allergens, especially in sun-dried tomatoes and olives which may contain sulphites.
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