Bang Bang Salmon Bowls with Pineapple Slaw

Soy roasted salmon caramelized with Japanese BBQ sauce, served over rice with fresh pineapple slaw, creamy avocado, and homemade bang bang sauce.

I love having out-of-town guests because it gives me an excuse to cook for people I don’t get to see nearly enough. Before anyone arrives, I always ask about the meals they’re craving, favorite flavors, and anything new they’d love to try while they’re here.

Cooking is one of my favorite ways to make people feel at home, especially family. A couple of weeks ago, my cousin Abby and her boyfriend came to visit from California, and I knew she was hoping for a few homemade dinners. Abby loves anything with bold flavors, so I knew bang bang salmon had to be on the menu.

Instead of serving the salmon on its own, I turned it into colorful rice bowls layered with pineapple slaw, creamy avocado, and plenty of homemade bang bang sauce. I also grilled some steak so everyone could build their bowl exactly the way they wanted. That’s one of the reasons I love recipes like this—they’re easy to customize, and everyone leaves happy.

The whole dinner comes together in about 30 minutes. Whisk together the sauces, toss the slaw, roast (or grill) the salmon, and cook some rice. I always grab a bag of shredded coleslaw mix to save a little time. And in the summer, I often grill the salmon instead of using the broiler. The sauce caramelizes beautifully, the salmon gets lightly charred, and dinner comes together so easily.

Hope you all love these bowls! They’re colorful, packed with flavor, and perfect for easy summer dinners.

Here are the details

mayo
sweet Thai chili sauce
lime zest
shredded cabbage or a bag of coleslaw mix
chopped fresh pineapple
cilantro and basil, I love using both!
salmon
chipotle chili powder
soy sauce
Japanese pineapple BBQ sauce or teriyaki sauce.
soy sauce
sweet Thai chili sauce
toasted sesame oil
toasted sesame seeds
cooked rice
nori sheets
sliced avocado
sliced green onions

The Steps

Whisk together all of the bang bang sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Make a double batch if you can. It’s delicious drizzled over grilled chicken, shrimp, roasted vegetables, or even tossed with a simple salad later in the week.

In a large bowl, combine all of the slaw ingredients. Add about 1/4 cup of the Bang Bang Sauce and toss until everything is evenly coated.

No pineapple? Fresh mango chunks or sliced peaches are just as delicious.

Preheat the broiler to high. Arrange the salmon on a baking sheet and season with the chipotle chili powder, tamari, salt, and pepper. Spread into an even layer and broil until lightly crisp around the edges. Spoon the Japanese BBQ sauce (or teriyaki sauce) over the salmon and broil for another minute, just until the sauce is glossy and caramelized.

Try not to overcook the salmon. It cooks quickly under the broiler and stays much more tender when it’s just cooked through. You can also grill the salmon if you prefer.

Swap the salmon for shrimp, grilled chicken, or steak.

While the salmon cooks, whisk together all of the spicy soy ingredients.

Spoon the spicy soy over the rice while it’s still warm so every bite soaks up all that flavor.

Divide the rice among serving bowls. Spoon the spicy soy over the rice, then top with the salmon, pineapple slaw, avocado, green onions, and sesame seeds. Finish with a generous drizzle of the Bang Bang Sauce and serve with nori sheets for wrapping or crumbling over the top.

Serve extra Bang Bang Sauce at the table. Everyone always wants another drizzle!

Table Tip

Turn this into a build-your-own bowl night. Arrange the rice, salmon, slaw, avocado, sauces, herbs, sesame seeds, and nori on a large board or across the kitchen island, then let everyone build their own bowl. It’s an easy, interactive dinner that’s always a hit.

Meal Prep

Prep the rice, salmon, spicy soy, and slaw ahead of time. Store everything separately in the refrigerator, and wait to toss the slaw with the Bang Bang Sauce until just before serving to keep it crisp.

The Bang Bang Sauce keeps well for several days, making leftovers just as delicious. I love using my Caraway glass storage containers for meal prep and storing leftovers.