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Assorted healthy bowls filled with fresh ingredients and vibrant seafood recipes.

Spring Seafood Bowl

A vibrant seafood bowl featuring flaky roasted salmon or shrimp, tender spring vegetables, and a fresh lemon-herb dressing, perfect for a light meal in the springtime.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 pounds salmon fillet, skin on, cut into 4 portions Alternatively, use 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup quinoa You can substitute with brown rice, farro, or your favorite grain
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas or shelled peas
  • 2 cups baby spinach or mixed baby greens
  • 1 medium avocado, sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for veggies)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
  • toasted sesame seeds
  • chopped pistachios
  • crumbled feta
  • chili flakes

Method
 

Preparation of Grain
  1. Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 12–15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  2. Variation: Use brown rice or farro — adjust cooking time and water ratio per package instructions.
Vegetable Preparation
  1. For bright, tender veg: blanch asparagus and sugar snap peas in boiling salted water for 1–2 minutes, then shock in an ice bath to keep color and crunch. Drain and pat dry.
  2. Roasting alternative: Toss asparagus and peas with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 8–12 minutes for a sweeter flavor.
  3. Tip: Blanching preserves a crisp-tender texture; roasting deepens flavor.
Cooking the Seafood
  1. Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the fillets.
  2. For salmon: Oven-roast at 400°F (200°C) for 10–14 minutes depending on thickness, checking for 125–130°F for medium doneness.
  3. For shrimp: toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon; sauté 1–2 minutes per side until opaque.
  4. Tip: Let fish rest for 2–3 minutes after cooking to retain juices.
Making the Vinaigrette
  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, Dijon, minced garlic, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust acidity as needed.
  2. Optional: Add 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
Assembling the Bowls
  1. Divide warm quinoa among four bowls. Arrange vegetables, and sliced avocado around the salmon or shrimp.
  2. Drizzle vinaigrette over the bowl and sprinkle optional toppings.

Notes

Use wild-caught salmon for flavor and sustainability. For a low-carb version, swap the grain for cauliflower rice. Store components in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Cooked salmon can be frozen for up to 2 months.