High Protein Smoked Salmon Quinoa Bowl
Smoked salmon quinoa bowls are one of my favorite low-effort meals when I want something filling, flavorful, and packed with protein. Made with cooked quinoa, smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, and chili onion crisp, this easy bowl comes together in just a few minutes using simple ingredients you can prep ahead. It’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast when you want something satisfying without much effort.
This recipe is a direct result of years of trying to make eating well feel easier. I almost always have smoked salmon and eggs in the fridge, and whenever I cook quinoa, I make a big batch and freeze individual portions so meals like this come together in minutes instead of feeling like another thing to cook.
It’s one of the recipes I fall back on when I’m feeling burnt out because it still feels fresh, satisfying, and a little special without requiring much work. I usually keep it simple with chili onion crisp, but it’s also delicious with pesto, chopped sundried tomatoes, fresh dill, or a sprinkle of Everything Bagel seasoning if you want to change things up.
If you love easy bowl meals, be sure to try my Greek Shrimp Quinoa Bowls, Ground Chicken Rice Bowls, Blackened Shrimp Bowls, or Sweet Potato Black Bean Bowls. They’re all packed with flavor and perfect for meal prep, quick lunches, or easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredient Spotlight
- Smoked Salmon – Smoked salmon is what makes this bowl so easy because there’s no cooking required. I love using Trader Joe’s wild smoked sockeye salmon because the hot-smoked salmon has a rich, savory flavor, but any smoked salmon you enjoy will work.
- Cooked Quinoa – Cooked quinoa adds protein and makes this bowl more filling. I often cook a big batch and freeze individual portions for quick meals throughout the week, but freshly cooked quinoa works just as well. You can also swap the quinoa for cooked rice or cauliflower rice if that’s what you have on hand.
- Chili Onion Crunch – Chili onion crunch is what brings this bowl to life. It adds heat, crunch, and tons of savory flavor with almost no effort. If you don’t have any, use another flavorful topping like pesto, Everything Bagel seasoning, your favorite dressing, or homemade garlic chili oil to give the bowl a little extra personality.
Tips for success
- Steam your hard-boiled eggs. I find that making steamed hard boiled eggs instead of boiling them makes them much easier to peel, and they come out perfectly every time.
- Meal prep the quinoa. I like to cook a big batch of quinoa and freeze it in single-serving portions. It makes bowls like this come together in just a few minutes.
- No quinoa? No problem. Cooked rice, frozen quinoa, or even a microwavable pouch of precooked rice all work well in this recipe if you’re short on time.
- Add something green. I love topping this bowl with microgreens, but arugula, baby spinach, or quickly sautéed broccoli are all great ways to add more vegetables.
- Serve it warm or cold. Since the smoked salmon and eggs are already cold, the quinoa can be warm, room temperature, or chilled depending on your preference.
Easy Smoked Salmon Quinoa Bowl
Ingredients
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 3 ounces smoked salmon
- 1 tablespoon chili onion crunch
- 2 tablespoons microgreens - optional
Instructions
- Heat up the quinoa in the microwave or on the stove.½ cup cooked quinoa
- Top with hard boiled eggs, smoked salmon, microgreens and chili onion crunch. Enjoy!2 hard boiled eggs, 3 ounces smoked salmon, 1 tablespoon chili onion crunch, 2 tablespoons microgreens
Recipe Notes
- Start with a small amount of chili onion crunch. It’s packed with flavor and can be spicy, so start with a little and add more to taste.
- Cut the smoked salmon into bite-sized pieces. Smoked salmon is much easier to eat when it’s cut into smaller pieces before adding it to the bowl.
Nutrition Information
Additions & Variations
Add More Flavor
- Sprinkle on Everything Bagel seasoning for even more savory flavor.
- Add pickled red onions for brightness and a little tang.
- Top with pickled jalapeños if you like a bit more heat.
- Swap the chili onion crunch for pesto, your favorite dressing, or another flavorful condiment.
Add More Veggies
- Top with in microgreens or serve over arugula, or baby spinach.
- Add sliced roasted red peppers for a pop of sweetness and color.
- Spoon on a little sauerkraut for extra crunch and tang.
