Description
This vibrant Watermelon Poke Bowl is a refreshing twist on traditional poke, featuring marinated watermelon, fresh vegetables, and a spicy mayo drizzle over a bed of seasoned rice. Perfect as a light, healthy meal, it balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Base
- 2 cups cooked white rice, sushi rice, or brown rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Watermelon Marinade
- 4 cups chopped seedless watermelon
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Additional Toppings
- 1 cup cooked edamame
- 2 small cucumbers, cut into matchsticks
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 2 small yellow mangoes, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Spicy Mayo Sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (vegan, if desired)
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
Optional Toppings
- Pickled sushi ginger
- A pinch of white and black sesame seeds
- Thinly sliced nori
- 1/4 cup sprouts
Instructions
- Season the rice: In a bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, rice vinegar, and kosher salt. Drizzle this mixture over the cooked rice and toss gently until evenly coated to give the rice a subtle tang and flavor.
- Marinate the watermelon: In another bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and kosher salt. Pour this marinade over the chopped watermelon and gently stir to coat. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes so the flavors meld and the watermelon absorbs the savory notes.
- Prepare toppings and sauce: While the watermelon marinates, chop the cucumbers, avocado, mangoes, and green onions. Whisk together the mayonnaise and sriracha to create a creamy, spicy sauce.
- Assemble the bowl: Divide the seasoned rice evenly between four bowls as the base. Layer each with a quarter of the marinated watermelon, edamame, cucumber matchsticks, diced avocado, and mango for a colorful and textured poke bowl.
- Add garnishes: Sprinkle chopped green onions and thinly sliced nori on top of each bowl. Drizzle the spicy mayo sauce evenly over all the bowls to add creaminess and heat.
- Finish and serve: Add any optional toppings such as pickled sushi ginger, sesame seeds, or sprouts to enhance flavor and presentation. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- Use sushi or short-grain rice for best texture and authenticity.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha in the mayo to control the spice level.
- Marinating the watermelon longer can intensify the flavors, but 10 minutes is sufficient.
- For a vegan version, use vegan mayonnaise.
- The bowl can be customized with additional vegetables or proteins as desired.
