Salmon Arugula Brown Rice Bowl with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15-20 minutes | Total Time: 25-30 minutes | Yield: 2 servings

Why I Love This Recipe

This salmon bowl is fresh, nourishing, and packed with flavor. The crispy, seasoned salmon pairs perfectly with the peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and nutty brown rice. The real star is the vibrant cilantro lime dressing, which adds the perfect zesty kick. This meal is quick to prepare and makes for a healthy, balanced lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

For the salmon

• 1½ pounds salmon fillet

• 1–2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon paprika

For the bowls

• 2 cups cooked brown rice

• 3–4 cups arugula

For the cilantro lime dressing

• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves and stems

• ⅓ cup avocado oil or olive oil

• Juice of 2 limes

• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ small jalapeño, seeded (optional)or¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

For serving

• 1–2 ripe avocados, sliced

• Fresh cilantro leaves

• Lime wedges

  
  

Instructions

Roast the salmon

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

2. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Drizzle with avocado oil or olive oil and season evenly with salt, pepper, and paprika.

4. Roast for 15–20 minutes, until the salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.

Make the dressing

1. Add cilantro, oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, pepper, and jalapeño or red pepper flakes to a blender.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. Taste and adjust salt or lime juice as needed.

Assemble the bowls

1. Divide the brown rice between bowls, placing it on one side.

2. Add the arugula to the other side of each bowl.

3. Top the rice with the roasted salmon.

4. Drizzle the cilantro lime dressing generously over the entire bowl.

5. Finish with sliced avocado and fresh cilantro.

6. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

   
   

Notes

• Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free: Naturally free of dairy and gluten!

• Meal Prep Tip: Store dressing separately to keep the arugula fresh and crisp.

• Toddler-Friendly Tip: For toddlers, serve flaked salmon with rice and avocado, and omit the greens and dressing — most little ones aren’t fans of either anyway. We often add a small side of black beans for our boys since they love them — easy to include if you already have them on hand.