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In the mood for sushi, but don’t want to fuss with rolling? This salmon sushi bake recipe is one of my favorite shortcuts! It has all the seafood flavors of regular sushi (or a poke bowl) combined with less effort. It’s like a deconstructed California roll! And while it isn’t quite traditional, this sushi casserole makes a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe
- Layers of rice, salmon, nori, and sushi toppings
- Variety of textures
- Simple ingredients
- Ready in a little over 30 minutes
- Easier and less messy than traditional sushi rolls – no rolling!
- Versatile and customizable
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best sushi bake ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Rice:
- Cooked Sushi Rice – You can find plain cooked rice at your local grocery store, typically in the rice or Asian foods aisle. You could also make your own short grain rice, or substitute cooked cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- Rice Vinegar – Adds a sweet touch and stickiness to the sushi rice. If needed, you can use other types of vinegar as a substitute, but the flavor will vary. You can also add a touch of sesame oil if you like the flavor.
- Sea Salt
Salmon Mixture:
- Cream Cheese– Leave at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften.
- Spicy Mayo – You can buy it, or make homemade spicy mayo in just a few minutes. You could also use kewpie mayo instead, but I avoid it because it contains additives, like MSG.
- Coconut Aminos– Or low sodium soy sauce.
- Raw Salmon– Cut it into bite-sized pieces. You don’t need sushi-grade or sashimi-grade fish, since it will get cooked anyway.
- Green Onions – Also known as scallions, green onions add a fresh flavor to this easy sushi bake recipe.
Assembly:
- Nori Sheets – You can find these thin, edible seaweed sheets in the Asian foods aisle of most grocery stores, or at specialty Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find large sheets, you can layer seaweed snacks instead!
- Avocado– Adds creamy richness to your salmon sushi bake, much like a California roll.
- Cucumber– For a refreshing crunch.
- Green Onions
- Spicy Mayo
- Sesame Seeds– Although optional, a sprinkle of raw or toasted sesame seeds on top adds a nutty crunch. You could also sprinkle with tobiko (flying fish eggs) or fish roe (salmon fish eggs).
How To Make A Sushi Bake
This section shows how to make a salmon sushi bake, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Season the rice. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Stir together the cooked sushi rice, rice vinegar, and sea salt. Press into the casserole dish.
- Add the seaweed slices. Layer the nori sheets on top of the rice.
- Make the salmon mixture. In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, spicy mayo, and coconut aminos, until smooth. Add in the salmon and green onions, and gently mix to coat. Spread the salmon mixture over the nori sheets.
- Bake. Cook the sushi salmon bake in the oven, until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 135-140 degrees F.
- Add toppings. Top the salmon sushi bake with the avocado, cucumber, green onions, a drizzle of spicy mayo, and if desired, a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Recipe Variations
Just like regular sushi, you can switch up the ingredients for a completely unique dish! Here are some ideas:
- Crab – Replace the salmon with lump crab meat, imitation crab meat, or use leftovers from crab legs.
- Tuna – Use raw tuna or leftover tuna steaks instead of salmon.
- Shrimp – Swap the salmon for shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tails removed). You can leave them whole if they are small, or chop them up if they are larger. The baking time will be shorter using shrimp.
- Veggie – For a vegetarian meal, omit the salmon and layer the casserole without baking it. Juse use 3/4 cup each of sliced bell peppers, julienned carrots, and thinly sliced cucumber instead.
- Spicy – The spicy mayo already adds a bit of a kick to this sushi bake recipe, but if you like it even hotter, add 1-2 tablespoons of sriracha or hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture as well.
- Rice Seasoning – Try furikake, a Japanese rice seasoning blend, on your rice before adding the other layers. You can make your own, or I like this pre-made version with clean ingredients.
- Different Sauces – Instead of spicy mayo, try a drizzle of unagi sauce (also known as eel sauce) or teriyaki sauce over the top before baking.
Storage Tips
- Store: Cover your salmon sushi bake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge.
- Meal prep: You can prep the sushi rice, cream cheese mixture, and salmon mixture up to 2-3 days ahead of time, then assemble the casserole just before baking to save time. You can also assemble one day ahead, store in the fridge, and bake the day-of.
- Reheat: Heat leftovers in the microwave, or in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F. You might be able to enjoy it cold, but the rice may be hard after refrigeration.
- Freeze: You can freeze sushi bake recipes before and after baking. You can wrap and freeze the assembled dish, or wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and place in zip lock bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as instructed, or follow the reheating instructions if it’s already been cooked.
What To Serve With A Salmon Sushi Bake
This sushi bake with salmon makes a quick and easy one-pan meal, so you don’t have to add anything else. If you want to add something on the side, these pairings work well:
- Salads – I like to pair this casserole with a light green salad drizzled with ginger dressing, but a seaweed salad or smashed cucumber salad would add a refreshing flavor.
- Steamed Veggies – The easiest way to steam veggies to use your Instant Pot. Try my steamed broccoli or steamed cauliflower for healthy side dish in just minutes.
- Asian Dishes – Pair your sushi bake with other Asian-inspired favorites, like bok choy or egg drop soup.
More Easy Salmon Recipes
Salmon is my favorite fish, and there are so many easy ways to enjoy it. Here are just a few:
Creamy Salmon Salad
Smoked Salmon Salad
Salmon Bowl
Salmon Lox
I have these baking dishes in all sizes because they heat up evenly, are easy to clean, and make a beautiful presentation (no need for a serving dish)!
Salmon Sushi Bake
Recipe Card
Salmon Sushi Bake
Classic sushi flavors with no rolling! Try this easy salmon sushi bake recipe for a delicious twist on the traditional sushi.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com
Servings: 6 (adjust to scale recipe)
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.
Rice:
Salmon mixture:
Assembly:
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Line a 10 x 7 baking dish with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, stir together the cooked sushi rice, rice vinegar, and sea salt. Press into the baking dish.
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Layer the nori sheets on top of the rice.
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In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, spicy mayo, and coconut aminos, until smooth. Add in the salmon and green onions, and gently mix to coat.
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Spread the salmon mixture over the nori sheets.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of the salmon reaches 135-140 degrees F (57-60 degrees C).
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Top the sushi bake with avocado, cucumber, green onions, a drizzle of spicy mayo, and if desired, a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
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Related Easy Recipes
Baked Salmon With Mayo
Crab Stuffed Salmon Recipe
Cabbage Salad Recipe
Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/6 of entire recipe
Nutrition info does not include optional sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.
Calories 326
Fat 20.7g
Protein 20.8g
Total Carbs 12.6g
Net Carbs 10.8g
Fiber 1.8g
Sugar 1.6g
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: salmon sushi bake, sushi bake, sushi bake recipe
Calories: 326 kcal
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or expertise, but I can provide information on a wide range of topics, including the concepts related to this article. Here's an overview of the concepts used in the article:
Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe:
The article introduces a recipe for salmon sushi bake, which is a deconstructed version of sushi that combines rice, salmon, nori, and sushi toppings in a casserole dish. It is an easier and less messy alternative to traditional sushi rolls.
Ingredients & Substitutions:
The article lists the ingredients required for the recipe and provides substitution options. Some key ingredients include:
- Rice: Cooked sushi rice is used as the base. Short grain rice or cauliflower rice can be substituted for a lighter option.
- Salmon Mixture: The salmon is mixed with cream cheese, spicy mayo, coconut aminos, and green onions for added flavor.
- Nori Sheets: These thin, edible seaweed sheets are layered on top of the rice.
- Toppings: Avocado, cucumber, green onions, spicy mayo, and sesame seeds are added as toppings.
How To Make a Sushi Bake:
The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to make the salmon sushi bake. The process involves seasoning the rice, layering the nori sheets, making the salmon mixture, spreading it over the nori sheets, and baking until the salmon reaches the desired internal temperature. Finally, the dish is topped with avocado, cucumber, green onions, spicy mayo, and sesame seeds.
Recipe Variations:
The article suggests various recipe variations to customize the sushi bake. Some ideas include using crab meat, tuna, or shrimp instead of salmon, or creating a vegetarian version without the salmon. Additional variations include adding spice to the mayo mixture, using rice seasoning, or trying different sauces.
Storage Tips:
The article provides tips for storing the sushi bake. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, and the components can be prepped ahead of time to save time. The dish can also be frozen before or after baking for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions:
The article suggests serving the salmon sushi bake as a one-pan meal, but also provides suggestions for side dishes such as salads, steamed veggies, or other Asian-inspired dishes.
Other Salmon Recipes:
The article concludes with a list of other easy salmon recipes, including creamy salmon salad, smoked salmon salad, salmon bowl, and salmon lox. It also recommends using specific baking dishes for even heating and a beautiful presentation.
Please note that the information provided here is a summary based on the text you shared. For specific details and measurements, it's best to refer to the original article.
