easy sushi salad recipe photo — Makes: *4 Servings*
Per Serving: *25g Protein | 250 Cal*

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Sushi rolls are a favorite for a reason, but they can be sort of tricky to make at home if you’re not a seasoned cook (and we ALL know I am NOT :) ) This salad recipe takes all the flavors of sushi rolls you already love—fresh, delicate fish, crisp cucumber, tangy ginger—and combines them into a vibrant, easy-to-make salad. Whether you're craving sushi but don’t want to order takeout or roll it yourself, or you're simply looking for a light, healthy meal option, this dish has you covered. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something nutritious and delicious but don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Plus, it's incredibly versatile, so you can customize it with your favorite proteins and veggies—add creamy avocado, sweet carrot or mango, spring onion, nori sheets cut into thin strips, and more. Sushi lovers are going to flip for it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: No need to spend hours prepping and rolling sushi—this salad comes together in minutes!
Healthy & Fresh: Packed with protein, fresh cucumbers, and a tangy dressing, it's as nutritious as it is tasty.
Versatile: You can mix and match proteins to suit your taste, whether you prefer salmon, surimi crab stick, or shrimp.
Low-Carb Option: Skip the rice and enjoy all the sushi flavors in a light, low-carb form.

Ingredients

3 Persian cucumbers
Protein of choice:
3 oz sashimi-grade salmon, or
4-5 oz Simply Surimi Crab Stick (you can find surimi—also known as imitation crab—at most grocery stores and Asian markets), or
Pre-cooked shrimp
1/4 cup sushi ginger
Furikake seasoning or thinly sliced sheets of nori and a tablespoon sesame seeds

For the Dressing:

2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil

Instructions

Prep the Cucumbers: Start by chopping your Persian cucumbers into cubes or thin slices, depending on your preference, and place them in a medium-sized bowl.
Prepare the Protein: Cut your chosen protein—whether it’s sashimi-grade salmon, Simply Surimi Crab Stick, or pre-cooked shrimp—into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl with the cucumbers. Make sure the raw fish you use is sashimi-grade, otherwise, you can get sick.
Add Flavor: Mix in the sushi ginger and sprinkle generously with furikake seasoning. This step brings a pop of sushi flavor to your salad.
Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Stir well to combine.
Dress the Salad: Pour the vinegar mixture over your salad and give everything a good toss to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
Serve & Enjoy: Your sushi salad is ready to serve! Enjoy it on its own or pair it with a side of miso soup or edamame beans for a complete meal.

Sushi Salad Recipe with Nutty Sesame

Watch the Tutorial

FAQs

Absolutely! Feel free to add or substitute vegetables like avocado, radish, or seaweed salad for extra flavor and texture.
Sure can! Try a simple miso dressing, a bit of spicy mayo, a wasabi sauce made from light mayo, lime juice, and wasabi paste, or whatever else sounds good to you!
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian sushi salad by using tofu or a plant-based seafood alternative instead of fish or surimi. You can also add additional crunchy veggies like bell pepper, carrot, and green onions to it, along with black sesame seeds and nori strips. It's a great way to get some extra veggies in!
This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Yes! Make sushi bowls or brown rice bowls instead with the addition of a little bit of leftover rice (short-grain sushi rice is ideal, but you can also use brown rice for a brown rice bowl!). Top the rice with the sushi salad and some sliced green onions, add a drizzle of spicy mayo and sprinkle of black sesame seeds on top.

This Sushi Salad is a refreshing, quick, and easy way to satisfy your sushi cravings without the fuss. While sushi rolls may feel more like a weekend meal, this delicious salad will quickly become a midweek staple. Whether you're making it for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a fun date night in, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your rotation. Enjoy!