Why this fits a family on a budget
Using a single salmon fillet per person and canned coconut milk keeps this impressive-feeling meal under $3 per serving on a tight weekly budget. The air fryer cooks the salmon hands-off in under 10 minutes, making the full meal achievable in 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.
• 1.25 lbs salmon fillets
• 1.5 cups white jasmine rice
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1.5 cups water
• 2 tbsp gluten-free tamari soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 cloves garlic cloves
• 0.5 whole English cucumber
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 stalks green onions
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 spray cooking spray
1. Combine 1.5 cups jasmine rice, 1 cup light coconut milk, and 1.5 cups water in a medium saucepan. Stir in 0.25 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to lowest setting, cover, and cook 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and rest, covered, 5 minutes.
2. While rice starts cooking, mince 4 garlic cloves. In a small bowl, whisk together tamari, honey, and minced garlic to make the glaze.
3. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels — this helps the glaze stick. Season lightly with remaining salt and black pepper.
4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
5. Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece. Spoon or brush half of the honey garlic glaze evenly over the top of each fillet.
6. Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes. Salmon is done when the top is golden and caramelized and the thickest part flakes easily when pressed with a fork. Do not flip.
7. While salmon cooks, thinly slice half a cucumber into half-moon shapes. In a small bowl, toss cucumber slices with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
8. Divide coconut rice into 4 bowls. Lay one salmon fillet over each portion of rice.
9. Drizzle remaining glaze over the salmon. Top each bowl with marinated cucumber slices, sliced green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Contains: fish, soy, sesame. Always double-check labels for your household's allergies.
Cost is a national-average estimate and varies by store and region.
This recipe was generated by Plento Pasto's AI from a library of family-friendly dishes and reviewed for a real photo before publishing. Cooking times, costs, and nutrition are estimates — use your judgment in the kitchen.