Salmon Fried Rice – Delicious Meets Healthy

Try this quick and easy salmon fried rice recipe – packed with tender salmon, fluffy rice, and vibrant veggies! A high-protein meal perfect for busy weeknights, it’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

easy salmon fried rice recipe in a skillet

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Rice doesn’t have to just be a side dish, this salmon fried rice is a complete meal on its own. Made with leftover rice, seared salmon, delicious fresh vegetables, and a splash of gluten-free soy sauce (or Tamari sauce), this recipe is easy to make but hearty all the same.

Any time I have leftover salmon, I love to make this easy and quick one pan meal. My kids love it and always ask for seconds. You can make this recipe with pretty much any protein you have on hand. I have multiple fried rice recipes, like Beef Fried Rice, Shrimp Fried Rice, Chicken Fried Rice, and Pineapple Fried Rice.

Any cooled rice you have in the fridge will work for this recipe and it comes together quick enough for a weeknight dinner or meal-prepped lunch. It’s a tasty and versatile recipe to have on hand when you’re in a pinch but crave something classic.

For more delicious and easy one pot meals, check out these: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Chicken Stroganoff and Easy Chicken Francese

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy: This salmon fried rice uses up leftovers and kitchen staples to come together quickly.
Versatile: There are lots of ways to adjust the flavors and tastes of the dish to create something unique and specific to your preferences.
Comforting: Made with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, the fried rice has a cold-night, comfort to it.

Ingredients And Substitutions

For a full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.

ingredients for making fried rice with salmon

Salmon: You want sockeye salmon for the recipe. I prefer to buy wild-caught Alaskan Sockeye salmon than farm-raised.
Butter: Used to start the cooking process know that avocado oil will work here as well if you need to make the fried rice dairy-free. Sometimes I use coconut oil as a substitute.
Vegetables: From your pantry grab carrots, green peas (I use frozen peas), onion, garlic, and fresh ginger. Peel them all and then prep them. You can adjust the taste a bit here by adding more or less of some veggies.
Large eggs: You’ll want whole eggs to make the rice as rich as possible. Whisk them together before adding them to the skillet.
White rice: Cooked and chilled day-old rice works best so that it crisps up. Freshly made rice will retain a bit too much moisture and can clump up.
Seasonings: Basic gluten-free tamari sauce (or soy sauce) and sesame oil (or coconut oil) are all you need to season the salmon-fried rice. Make sure you use toasted sesame oil for maximum flavor.

How to Make Salmon Fried Rice

Sear the salmon. Heat the sesame oil in a skillet or a wok over medium-high heat and sear the salmon on each side before transferring it to a plate.

Sauté the vegetables. Heat butter in the same skillet until melted before adding the carrots and onion. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper and when they’re soft, add in the garlic and ginger. Set aside.

Prepare the egg mix. Heat more butter in the skillet and add the eggs. Scramble. Mix in the vegetables.

cooking fried rice with salmon in a skillet

Put it together. Add the last bit of butter to the skillet and then add the rice, salmon, peas, and seasonings. Stir until combined and cook for three minutes.
Assemble. Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle on the green onions before serving.

rice vegetables and salmon cooked in a skillet

TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

Recipe Notes and Tips

Don’t skimp on the butter as it gives the salmon fried rice its comforting taste.
For best results, make sure you use a day-old chilled rice to make sure the dish doesn’t turn mushy and every grain retains its fluffiness.
Cook the salmon until it reaches 125F to ensure that it’s fully cooked through.
Don’t mix the eggs with the vegetables right away. Give the eggs time to cook and get fluffy first.

Recipe Variations

There’s a lot of ways you can vary fried rice to make it into exactly what you want that night. Below are a few favorites.

Vegetables: Any vegetables you have on hand will work in fried rice, just make sure to chop them finely. Bell pepper or edamame make tasty additions.
Protein: Though salmon is used you can swap it easily enough for grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, and even beans for a vegetarian option.
Grain-alternative: You can substitute half the rice with some quinoa to increase the protein content. Sometimes I also like to add some cauliflower rice to sneak in some extra veggies. Of course, you can also use brown rice instead of white.
Gluten-free: To make it gluten-free you’ll want to use Tamari or coconut aminos in place of the soy sauce. Otherwise, everything else should be fine.

Storing And Reheating

Store leftover salmon fried rice by letting it cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. In the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to three days.

To reheat fried rice, heat a skillet with some butter or oil before layering in the fried rice. Stir it every so often until it’s warmed through. You can also reheat the rice in the microwave in intervals.

Know that the salmon pieces will break up a bit when reheating it on the stove.

Recipe FAQs

Does the rice need to be chilled?

Yes. Chilled rice results in a crispier texture whereas freshly cooked rice holds more water which may make the fried rice a bit soggier.

Which rice is best when making fried rice?

Any rice you have left in the fridge will work. However, basmati and jasmine are personal favorites.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

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