Salmon Bowls with Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce
These Salmon Bowls with Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce feature a base of tender cauliflower rice, crispy cabbage, cucumbers, and avocado.Topped with marinated salmon which is cooked until crisp and golden, tangy pickled red onions, and a sweet and spicy chipotle sauce, these bowls are packed with flavor and are perfect for busy weeknights! 
I’m a big fan of salmon bites recipes, and my Teriyaki Salmon Bowls are such a big hit with my family that I make them almost every week! As delicious as they are, I felt like we could use a little variety. So, I came up with these Salmon Bowls with Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce, too. Just as delicious as my teriyaki bowls, this recipe features a combination of tastes and textures that will make your taste buds sing. Crisp, refreshing, savory, sweet, and tangy all at once, they’re a huge hit with everyone who tries them, and they’re incredibly quick and easy to make!
Why You Will Love These Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls
- These salmon bowls are packed with flavour and texture to satisfy all your cravings.
- Although they look fancy, these bowls are made with simple ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.
- Full of protein, healthy fats, carbs, nutrients, and fiber, this is a great healthy meal even picky eaters will be excited about.
- You can easily prepare the different components in advance, and keep them on hand for meal prep. Then, assemble the bowls in minutes to enjoy throughout the week.
- Extremely versatile, this recipe is high-protein, gluten-free, and nut-free and can easily be made Paleo, Whole30, or Keto, too!
Ingredients You Need To Make The Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bites
- Salmon: You can use a half side of salmon, or salmon fillets. Just be sure to look for salmon that is thick enough to cut into 1-inch cubes. You can ask your fishmonger to remove the skin. Or, do it yourself, placing the salmon skin side up on a cutting board and gently running a knife under the skin to remove it.
- Canned Chipotle Peppers in Adobo: A standard Mexican product with a unique spicy flavor profile, this adds flavor and depth, creating a delicious sauce. You can find cans of chipotle in adobo in the Mexican food section of most grocery stores.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed is best! The acidity helps balance the heaviness of the spice and fats and tenderizes the fish.
- Olive Oil: This forms the base of the marinade, helping the ingredients cling to the salmon, tenderizing the fish, and adding a savory, slightly peppery taste.
- Honey: for a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup will also work!
- Seasonings: Cumin and kosher salt add extra depth and enhance the warm, savory flavor.
What’s In the Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Any type of store bought or homemade mayonnaise can be used as the base of the chipotle sauce.
- Chipotle in Adobo: Feel free to adjust the amount included to adjust the flavor of the sauce. Add additional chipotle peppers if you love spicy foods. You can also use less or swap it out for cayenne pepper or smoked paprika if you prefer a tamer sauce.
- Lime Juice: The acidity adds a bright, refreshing taste.
- Honey: As with the salmon marinade, maple syrup will also work.
- Seasonings: Cumin and salt tie the flavour of the smokey sauce in with the fish for a cohesive dish.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are best!
Ingredients For The Pickled Onions
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is crucial to the pickling process and infuses the onions with the tangy flavor we want.
- Water: helps dilute the vinegar.
- Honey: creates a sweet and savory taste.
- Red Onion: You’ll need ½ red onion. Make sure it’s finely diced!
What Else Is In These Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls
- Avocado Oil: This sautés the cauliflower rice, helping to make it tender. If preferred, light olive oil will also work.
- Cauliflower Rice: You can find pre-made cauliflower rice in the refrigerated vegetable section of your local grocery store. Or, make your own by gently pulsing chopped cauliflower in a food processor or blender.
- Shredded Green Cabbage: adds a refreshing taste and a nice crunch.
- Avocado: The healthy fats make it easier to absorb the fat soluble vitamins in the veggies while adding a creamy texture.
- Cucumbers: I recommend using Persian cucumbers or English cucumbers because they have a thinner skin and fewer seeds than other varieties.
How To Make These Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls
- Add the chipotle in adobo, cumin, lime juice, olive oil, honey, and salt to a blender, and blend until smooth.
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Then, place the salmon cubes in a bowl, and pour the sauce on top. Toss to combine, and set the salmon aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk the apple cider vinegar, water, and honey. Add the thinly sliced red onion, and press down on the slices with a cork to submerge them in the liquid. Set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Add all the ingredients for the honey lime chipotle sauce to a blender, and pulse until smooth. Then, transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil, and once hot, add the cauliflower rice. Sauté until the cauliflower is tender and golden in colour. Then, remove the pan from the heat, and divide the cauliflower rice between bowls.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium high heat. Once hot, add ½ the salmon pieces in a single layer, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until a golden brown crust forms. Use metal tongs or a fork to gently turn the salmon pieces. Then, transfer the fish to a plate, and repeat with the second batch.
- To assemble the bowls, divide the cauliflower rice, shredded cabbage, creamy avocado, and thinly sliced crunchy cucumber between two bowls. Top the ingredients with the cooked salmon and red onion. Drizzle the chipotle lime honey sauce on top, and enjoy!
You can find full step by step instructions in the recipe card below
What Type Of Salmon Should I Use For These Salmon Bowls
I know it can be overwhelming when shopping for salmon at the grocery store. Between wild caught, farm raised, organic, and sustainable options, it’s hard to know which to choose! Ultimately, the best type of salmon for these salmon bowls is up to you and your preferences. Whichever type you choose, aim for products that are sustainably sourced to support responsible fishing and aquaculture practices.
However, to help make the decision a little easier, I’m breaking down the differences below:
- Wild-caught Salmon: This type of salmon is caught in its natural environment, usually in the ocean. It tends to have a firmer texture, deeper color, and more robust flavor compared to farmed salmon. Common varieties of wild-caught salmon include sockeye, king (chinook), coho, and pink salmon. Sockeye salmon, for example, is known for its rich flavor and vibrant reddish-orange color.
- Farmed Salmon: Farmed salmon is raised in controlled aquatic environments, such as fish farms or aquaculture facilities. It tends to have a milder flavor and softer texture compared to wild-caught salmon. Farmed salmon is more widely available and often less expensive. However, there are sustainability concerns related to some farmed salmon practices, such as environmental impacts and the use of antibiotics.
- Organic Salmon: Some farms offer organic salmon that is raised using specific organic practices. These practices may include feeding the fish organic feed and providing more space for them to swim, potentially resulting in a better taste and texture.
- Sustainable Options: When buying salmon, it’s important to consider sustainability factors. Look for certifications from organizations such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for wild-caught salmon or the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for farmed salmon. These certifications indicate that the salmon was sourced in an environmentally responsible and ethical manner.
Can I Cook The Salmon Bites In An Air Fryer
Yes! Marinate the salmon as usual. Then, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (177°C). Arrange the salmon cubes in the oil-coated air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Work in batches as needed! Air fryer for 8 minutes or until the fish is golden and crisp.
Can I Cook The Salmon Bites In The Oven
Absolutely! Marinate the salmon. Then, arrange the pieces on a parchment paper lined sheet pan, leaving space between each piece. Place the baking sheet in the oven, and bake the salmon at 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes or until it’s golden and crisp.
What Else Can I Add To These Salmon Bowls
Feel free to mix and match different ingredients and toppings to make this recipe your own. For instance, for an even more filling option, try making salmon rice bowls. To do so, layer the ingredients over a bed of rice such as Basmati rice, Jasmine rice, or brown rice. You can also, add extra toppings like sesame seeds, fresh herbs, green onions, red pepper flakes, or fresh veggies like shredded carrots or even a coleslaw mix. Then, to amp up the heat, feel free to include a dash of hot sauce or sriracha mayo, too!
How To Make These Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls Paleo
Make sure to use raw honey, not pasteurized honey. Then, serve these salmon bowls as usual, skipping adding any additional rice. Instead, serve them with cauliflower rice, adding extra if you want to make them even more filling!
How To Make These Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls Whole30 or Keto
To make these salmon bowls keto, omit the honey. Feel free to reduce the amount of chipotle in adobo included since there won’t be any sweetener to tame some of the heat. Then, serve the ingredients over cauliflower rice. The bowls will be just as tasty and filling!
How Else Can I Use The Chipotle Sauce
Not just great for these salmon bowls, the homemade chipotle sauce is a staple in Mexican cuisine and an easy way to add flavor to a variety of recipes. Use leftovers as a marinade, condiment, or dipping sauce with burrito bowls, shrimp tacos, chicken wings, meat dishes, black bean soup, fish tacos, tortilla chips, French fries, or sweet potato fries. It’s great as is.
However, you can also make a homemade sauce with a spicy kick by mixing leftover chipotle peppers with various ingredients and your favorite condiments like chipotle crema, Greek yogurt, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, chipotle mayo. It’s a great way to enhance the overall taste of many dishes. Just keep in mind that a little goes a long way! Then, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
What About Leftovers
For the best results, I recommend storing each component of these salmon bowls in separate airtight containers. They will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the salmon in a skillet over medium heat, and warm the cauliflower in a skillet or the microwave. Then, assemble, and enjoy!
Here are a few more delicious salmon recipes that you might enjoy:
- Poached Salmon Spread
- Salmon Bowls with Creamy Wasabi Sauce
- Asian Grilled Salmon Skewers
- Orange Salmon
- Garlic Honey Mustard Salmon
- Easy Spinach Stuffed Salmon
If you make this Chipotle Honey Lime Salmon Bowls recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think, or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Salmon Bowls with Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
Salmon Bites
- 1.5 lbs skinless salmon cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 tbsp chipotle in adobo
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp salt
Honey Lime Chipotle Sauce
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic
Pickled Onions
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
Bowl Ingredients
- 2 cups sautéed cauliflower rice or 1 1/2 cups white or brown rice
- 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- 1 avocado thinly sliced
- 2 persian cucumbers thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a blender add the chipotle in adobo, cumin, lime juice, olive oil, honey and saltand blend until smooth. Add the cubed salmon to a bowl and pour the sauce overtop. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes.
- To make the pickled onions, in a medium sized bowl whisk together the apple cider vinegar, water and honey. Add in the thinly sliced onion and press down on the slices using a fork to ensure they are all submerged in the liquid. Set aside for a minimum of 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the bowl.
- Make the chipotle honey lime sauce by combining all of the ingredients for the sauce in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl.
- Heat a nonstick pan on medium high heat. Once hot add in ½ the salmon pieces and cook the salmon for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until a golden brown crust forms. Use metal tongs or a fork to gently turn the salmon pieces. Repeat with the second batch of salmon.
- To assemble the bowls divide the cauliflower rice (or white or brown rice), shredded cabbage, avocado and thinly sliced cucumbers between 2 bowls. Top with the salmon and red onion and drizzle in the chipotle honey lime sauce.
My whole family enjoyed this recipe!! I will be making it again soon. Thank you!