Name: Irresistible Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds salmon, skin removed and cubed; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/3 cup mayo or greek yogurt; 3-4 tablespoons sweet chili sauce; 1 tablespoon sriracha; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 1 cup water; 1 cup full fat coconut milk; 1 cup jasmine rice; 1 teaspoon white sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 mini cucumbers; 1 avocado; 1 tablespoon lime juice; 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe

Okay, seriously, you HAVE to try these bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls! They’re like a party in your mouth – crispy salmon, creamy rice, and a cool cucumber salad. It sounds kinda fancy, right? But trust me, it’s SO easy. I whipped these up on a weeknight when I was super tired, and even *I* was impressed with how good they turned out. Plus, it’s way healthier (and cheaper!) than takeout. This bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls recipe is about to become your new go-to for a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal. Seriously, get ready to be obsessed!

Why You’ll Love These Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Okay, so why should you make these? Let me tell you, there’s a bunch of reasons! It’s not just ’cause I said so (though that should be enough, right? 😉). Seriously though, you’re gonna love how easy, tasty, and good-for-you these bowls are. Plus, you can totally make them your own!

Quick and Easy

Seriously, these come together FAST! We’re talking minimal chopping, a little bit of mixing, and boom – dinner is served! You can’t beat that!

Flavor Explosion

Sweet, spicy, savory…it’s all there! The bang bang sauce is seriously addictive, and it goes SO well with the coconut rice. My favorite part is the slight contrast from the cool cucumber salad.

Healthy and Balanced

Salmon is packed with protein and good fats, and the avocado adds even more healthy goodness! Plus, we’re using rice, so you’re getting a good dose of energy too. It’s a win-win!

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Customizable to Your Taste

Don’t like spice? Tone down the sriracha! Want it sweeter? Add a touch more sweet chili sauce. You can swap out the salmon for chicken or tofu too. Make it YOUR bowl!

Ingredients for Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls. Don’t worry, it’s mostly stuff you can find at any grocery store. I try to keep it simple, promise!

Okay first, you’ll want about 1 1/2 pounds of salmon. Make sure the skin is removed, and cut it into bite-sized cubes. This is super important!
For the rice, grab 1 cup of jasmine rice. It’s my fave, but you can use any kind you like.
You’ll also need 1 cup of full-fat coconut milk – the stuff in the can, not the carton!
Don’t forget 2 mini cucumbers! Dice ’em up real small.
And 3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro. If you hate cilantro, parsley works too, but cilantro is king!
You’ll need 1 avocado.
Grab some olive oil (about 1 tablespoon).
For the sauce, you’ll need mayo or Greek yogurt (1/3 cup), sweet chili sauce (3-4 tablespoons), sriracha (1 tablespoon), and lime juice (1 tablespoon).
Also water (1 cup), white sugar (1 teaspoon), paprika, onion powder, garlic powder (1 teaspoon each), salt, and pepper (1/2 teaspoon each). Phew!
And you’ll need lime juice (1 tablespoon) and salt (1/4 teaspoon) for the cucumber salad.

Got all that? Awesome! Let’s get cooking!

How to Make Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Okay, here comes the fun part – putting it all together! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down on the *best* bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls in no time!

Preparing the Coconut Rice

First, let’s get that coconut rice going. Seriously, this stuff is magic. Just dump your rice, coconut milk, and water into a pot. Bring it to a little bubble, then COVER it, turn the heat to low, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Don’t peek! After 15, all the liquid should be gone. Fluff it with a fork, and stir in your salt and sugar. Boom! Coconut rice perfection.

Making the Bang Bang Sauce

This sauce is seriously addictive, fair warning! Grab a bowl and whisk together your mayo (or Greek yogurt if you’re feeling extra healthy!), sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and lime juice. Taste it and adjust to your liking. More sriracha if you like it hot, more sweet chili sauce if you want it sweeter. You do you!

Cooking the Bang Bang Salmon

Now for the star of the show: the salmon! Toss those little salmon cubes with olive oil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Then, grab about 1/3 of your bang bang sauce and toss the salmon in that too. Now, you’ve got options! You can air fry it at 380°F for 8-12 minutes, or bake it at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Just make sure it’s cooked through!

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Preparing the Cucumber Salad

This is the easiest part! Just dice up your mini cucumbers and toss them with lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Done! This adds such a nice, cool crunch to the bowls, trust me.

Assembling Your Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Okay, get ready to make a masterpiece! Grab a bowl, put a scoop of coconut rice on the bottom, then pile on that gorgeous bang bang salmon. Add a big spoonful of cucumber salad, and then… GARNISH! I like to sprinkle on some extra cilantro and some red pepper flakes for a little extra kick. Now, dig in and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Want to take your bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls to the NEXT LEVEL? Okay, listen up! First, use good quality salmon. It makes a HUGE difference. Also, don’t overcook the salmon! Dry salmon is sad salmon. Start checking it a little early. And finally, TASTE EVERYTHING! Adjust the sauce, add more lime, whatever you need to make it perfect *for you*!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Okay, let’s talk ingredients. First off, I LOVE jasmine rice for this, but honestly, any rice will work. Brown rice, basmati… whatever you’ve got! And if you’re not a fan of mayo, plain Greek yogurt works great in the bang bang sauce. It’ll give it a tangy kick! If you can’t find mini cucumbers, just use a regular cucumber. Peel it first, though, the skin can be a little bitter. And if you’re allergic to salmon, shrimp or chicken are great!

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Storing and Reheating Your Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store the coconut rice, salmon, and cucumber salad separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, you can microwave the rice and salmon. I usually skip reheating the cucumber salad so it stays nice and fresh. Seriously, these are almost as good the next day!

Frequently Asked Questions About Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Got questions about these amazing bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls? I got you! Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, so hopefully, this clears things up!

Can I use frozen salmon?

Totally! Just make sure you thaw it completely before cooking. I like to put it in the fridge overnight. Pat it dry with paper towels before you cube it, too, or it might get a little watery!

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yep! This is actually a great meal prep recipe. Cook the rice and salmon, make the sauce, and chop the cucumbers. Store everything separately, and then just assemble your bowls when you’re ready to eat. Easy peasy!

Can I adjust the spice level?

Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of heat, start with a little less sriracha in the bang bang sauce and taste as you go. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away! 😉

Nutritional Information for Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls

Okay, quick note: the nutrition info below is just an estimate! It can totally change based on the brands and ingredients you use, so keep that in mind!

Enjoy Your Bang Bang Salmon and Coconut Rice Bowls!

Seriously, I hope you LOVE these bang bang salmon and coconut rice bowls as much as I do! If you try them, please leave a comment and let me know what you think! And don’t forget to rate the recipe! Share a pic on Insta, too! I wanna see your creations!