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Easy Salmon Rice

Dave Chang's Salmon Rice made and served in the glass Anyday dish, featuring tender salmon cook at the same time with seasoned rice, garnished with fresh herbs
PT6M PT20M

Prep Time

6 mins

Cook Time

20-23 mins
11 reviews

Free Time

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Easy Salmon Rice

11 reviews
The best easy dinners are chameleons, endlessly customizable (and colorful too!). Salmon atop flavorful dashi rice is a great go-to combination on a busy weeknight. Replace the salmon with any fish, try bok choy instead of spinach, or even switch the protein entirely with diced chicken.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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The best easy dinners are chameleons, endlessly customizable (and colorful too!). Salmon atop flavorful dashi rice is a great go-to combination on a busy weeknight. Replace the salmon with any fish, try bok choy instead of spinach, or even switch the protein entirely with diced chicken.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

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Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

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To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

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Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (100g) short grain rice, rinsed and strained
  • ¾ cup (140ml) dashi, chicken stock, or water (see note)
  • 1 4oz (115g) pieces of salmon, skinless
  • 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • ½ cup (50g) frozen spinach
  • Thinly sliced scallions, sesame seeds, furikake as garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Place the rice in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
  2. After straining, add the dashi (or stock or water) and stir to combine. Ensure the rice is in an even layer, then cover it with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave at Power Level 5
    ✕

    Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

    [[video-power]]

    Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

    For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

    Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

    PL 10 = 100% = High (default)

    PL 9 = 90% = High

    PL 8 = 80% = Med-High

    PL 7 = 70% = Med-High

    PL 6 = 60% = Medium

    PL 5 = 50% = Medium

    PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low

    PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low

    PL 2 = 20% = Low

    PL 1 = 10% = Low

    You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

     for 18-20 minutes, or until rice is almost fully cooked through. It will keep cooking in the next step
  4. While the rice is cooking, marinate the salmon in a separate bowl: cut the salmon into ½” thick slices, toss with tamari or soy sauce, and set aside.
  5. Evenly spread the frozen spinach on top of the rice in the dish, then layer the marinated salmon on top.
  6. Continue cooking on full power for 3-4 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
  7. Garnish with scallions, sesame seeds, and furikake, if desired.

Suggestions

  • Veggie swap: Swap frozen spinach for any quick-cooking vegetable like frozen peas, corn kernels, fresh spinach, bok choy, or kale.
  • Herb swap: Replace cilantro with scallions for a more herbaceous flavor.
  • Spicy kick: Drizzle with chili crisp for an extra kick of heat.
  • Sweet & spicy twist: Top with crushed peanuts and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce for a sweet-and-spicy combination.

Recipe Notes

  • NOTE: this dish is most delicious when cooking rice with a flavorful stock. To make a quick dashi stock, mix 1 teaspoon Hondashi soup stock with 1 cup water.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

All You Need to Know About Making Salmon and Rice in the Microwave

What is salmon and rice?

Salmon and rice is a balanced, satisfying meal featuring tender, cooked salmon served atop flavorful rice. In this version, the rice is cooked in dashi or stock, adding an extra layer of umami to the dish. This combination is a versatile base for endless customization, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Can I cook rice in the microwave?

Yes, you can cook rice in the microwave! Using an Anyday dish makes it easy and efficient. Simply rinse the rice, add water or stock, and let the microwave handle the rest. You can even cook fluffy white and brown rice, along with other grains.

Why do I need to rinse the rice? How many times should I rinse it?

Rinsing rice is essential to remove excess starch, which can cause the grains to become sticky and clump together during cooking. Thoroughly rinsing the rice helps it cook up light and fluffy, with each grain staying perfectly separate. Use the Anyday Strainer to make the process quick and easy. Using an Anyday Strainer, rinse and drain the rice repeatedly until the water runs clear—this usually takes about 3 to 4 rinses. Properly rinsing the rice also improves its texture and overall quality in the finished dish.

Can I cook fish in the microwave?

Absolutely! Cooking fish in the microwave is quick, easy, and keeps the fish tender without drying it out. Whether you're making salmon or trying other fish like cod or halibut, an Anyday dish helps you achieve perfectly cooked results. You can find more microwave-friendly fish recipes like our How to Microwave Salmon for inspiration.

Can I substitute the salmon with other proteins?

Definitely! This dish is very versatile. You can replace the salmon with any other fish, such as cod or tilapia. Alternatively, you can switch to diced chicken or even tofu for a plant-based version. Adjust the cook time accordingly depending on your choice of protein.

Can I add vegetables to this recipe?

Yes, this recipe works well with many vegetables! Try adding frozen spinach as suggested, or swap it with bok choy, kale, or any quick-cooking veggie you prefer.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store any leftover salmon rice in an Anyday dish with the lid on in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave it for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

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