Irresistible Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe: Cozy Japanese Fusion Magic

Salmon sushi bake upgrades the intricate art of sushi into a crowd-pleasing, stress-free culinary adventure.

Home cooks can now enjoy complex Japanese-inspired flavors without mastering traditional rolling techniques.

This innovative dish deconstructs classic sushi components into a comforting, shareable casserole format.

Layers of flaky salmon mingle with creamy, spicy elements and perfectly seasoned rice, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of textures that captures the essence of sushi without the precision work.

Crisp nori and toasted sesame seeds add a satisfying crunch to the rich, savory base.

Get ready to revolutionize your dinner routine with this game-changing, crowd-pleasing recipe.

How to Layer and Bake Sushi in a Dish

Step 1: Prepare Perfect Rice

Rinse rice thoroughly in cold water. Soak for 15 minutes, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the rice rest for 10 minutes to achieve ideal texture.

Step 2: Season Rice

Mix cooked rice with rice vinegar and allow to cool to room temperature.

Step 3: Create Salmon Filling

• Mayonnaise
• Cream cheese
• Sriracha sauce
• Soy sauce
• Chopped green onions
• Imitation crab meat

Step 4: Make Glaze Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Mirin
• Sake
• Sugar

Simmer until the sauce slightly thickens. Let cool completely.

Step 5: Whip Up Spicy Mayo

• Mayonnaise
• Sriracha
• Fresh lime juice
• Pinch of salt

Step 6: Assemble the Base

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread seasoned rice in a prepared baking dish. Sprinkle generously with furikake seasoning.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Spread salmon mixture evenly over the rice. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Switch to broil to caramelize the top until golden and slightly crispy.

Step 8: Final Touches

• Sliced avocado
• Cucumber strips
• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Serve alongside crisp nori sheets for wrapping or scooping.

Tips for Flaky Salmon and Balanced Flavor

• Master Rice Technique: Rinse rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and perfectly separated grains every time.
• Salmon Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality salmon with minimal bones and consistent color for the most delicious and smooth mixture.
• Temperature Control is Key: Allow rice and salmon mixture to cool to room temperature before assembling to prevent soggy texture and maintain optimal flavor balance.
• Even Spreading Strategy: Use a spatula or back of a spoon to distribute salmon mixture uniformly, creating consistent bites with equal seasoning and texture.
• Broiling Brilliance: Watch carefully during the final broiling stage to achieve a golden-brown caramelized top without burning the delicate salmon mixture.

How to Store Sushi Bake Without It Getting Soggy

• Refrigerate: Store salmon sushi bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Reheating: Warm portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for best results. Spread leftovers evenly on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Heat for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid microwaving, which can make the salmon texture rubbery and rice soggy.
• Freezing: Freeze individual portions wrapped securely in freezer-safe containers for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Great Pairings for This Fusion Dish

• Unleash Refreshing Japanese Sake Pairing: A crisp, chilled Junmai Daiginjo sake perfectly complements the rich salmon flavors, cutting through the creamy texture and balancing the spicy Sriracha notes.
• Enhance with Citrus-Infused Green Tea: A light, cold-brewed sencha with a hint of yuzu creates a refreshing contrast to the sushi bake's intense umami profile, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Spark Flavor with Cucumber Mojito Mocktail: A zesty, non-alcoholic mojito with muddled cucumber mirrors the dish's fresh ingredients, providing a cool, crisp counterpoint to the warm, creamy salmon mixture.
• Elevate with Pickled Ginger Side: Traditional pickled ginger serves as a palate cleanser, helping to reset taste buds and highlighting the sushi bake's complex flavor layers.

Fun Sushi-Inspired Additions to Try

• Ocean Fusion Sushi Bake: Replace salmon with tuna or yellowtail for a different marine flavor profile. Add diced mango or pineapple for tropical sweetness and bright color contrast.
• Veggie Lover's Edition: Swap salmon for roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant. Incorporate plant-based cream cheese and use tofu as protein alternative. Enhance with smoked paprika for depth.
• Spicy Korean Remix: Incorporate gochujang instead of Sriracha for intense Korean chili flavor. Mix kimchi into salmon mixture for extra tangy kick. Garnish with pickled radishes and sesame seeds for authentic Korean touch.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Use feta cheese instead of cream cheese. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives to salmon mixture. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning on top for herbaceous Mediterranean essence.

Why Salmon Sushi Bake Is the Best of Both Worlds

• Explosive Flavor Fusion: Combines creamy salmon, spicy Sriracha, and tangy sauces for a mouthwatering explosion of taste that keeps you craving more.
• Texture Wonderland: Layers crispy furikake, smooth cream cheese, tender salmon, and soft rice create an exciting mix of textures in every single bite.
• Quick Gourmet Magic: Transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in just 45 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks wanting impressive meals without complicated techniques.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adjustable for different spice levels and toppings, making it ideal for dinner parties, potlucks, or casual family gatherings where everyone can personalize their plate.

What Brings That Creamy, Savory Sushi Flavor

• Short Grain Rice: Basic foundation of the sushi bake with perfect sticky texture and classic Japanese rice quality.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds signature tangy flavor and helps season the rice with traditional sushi taste.

• Salmon: Fresh fish providing rich, tender protein base for the main filling.
• Imitation Crab: Adds subtle seafood flavor and complementary texture to salmon mixture.
• Cream Cheese: Creates creamy, smooth consistency in the salmon mixture.
• Mayonnaise: Helps bind ingredients and provides rich, smooth base for salmon mixture.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, sharp flavor and bright color to the mixture.
• Sriracha: Introduces spicy kick and vibrant heat to the salmon blend.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and saltiness to the mixture.

• Mirin: Traditional Japanese sweet rice wine for creating glossy sauce.
• Sake: Adds depth and complexity to the sauces flavor profile.
• Sugar: Balances and sweetens the sauces taste.
• Spicy Mayo: Zesty condiment with creamy, tangy heat.
• Lime Juice: Provides bright, citrusy acidity to spicy mayo.
• Furikake: Traditional Japanese seasoning for extra umami and texture.
• Avocado: Creamy, rich topping with smooth texture.
• Cucumber: Fresh, crisp garnish with light flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and visual appeal.
• Nori Sheets: Traditional seaweed wrap for serving.

Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Salmon Sushi Bake brings Japanese-inspired comfort to home kitchens with layered flavors and textures. California-style ingredients create a delightful casserole where creamy salmon meets crispy panko, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salmon Mixture

• 8 ounces (226 grams) salmon filet, skin removed and cut into 0.5-inch pieces
• 8 ounces (226 grams) imitation crab meat, shredded
• 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup Kewpie mayo
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Sriracha
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) green onions, sliced thin

Sushi Rice

• 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) sushi rice, rinsed
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) water
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lite seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) furikake

Sauces and Toppings

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) mirin
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sake
• 1.5 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) white granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) Kewpie mayo
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Sriracha
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) fresh lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) salt
• Avocado, sliced thin

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly rinse short-grain rice under cold water, allowing it to soak for 15 minutes to release excess starch, then transfer to a pot with precise water measurements and cook until tender.
2. Gently fold rice vinegar into the cooked rice, creating a glossy and flavorful base, then allow to cool to ambient temperature.
3. Carefully dice fresh salmon into uniform cubes, ensuring clean cuts for even cooking and aesthetic presentation.
4. Combine salmon pieces with creamy mayonnaise, rich cream cheese, zesty Sriracha sauce, umami-packed soy sauce, and finely chopped green onions, then fold in delicate pieces of imitation crab meat.
5. Create a glazing liquid by simmering soy sauce, sweet mirin, traditional sake, and granulated sugar until the mixture reaches a slightly syrupy consistency, then set aside to cool completely.
6. Whisk together smooth mayonnaise, fiery Sriracha, fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt to craft a vibrant spicy mayo drizzle.
7. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a ceramic or glass baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
8. Evenly distribute the seasoned rice across the baking dish, creating a uniform layer, then generously sprinkle traditional Japanese furikake seasoning for added depth of flavor.
9. Carefully spread the prepared salmon mixture over the rice, ensuring complete and even coverage.
10. Bake for 12-15 minutes until heated through, then activate the broiler to caramelize the top to a golden-brown finish.
11. Allow the dish to rest and cool for 10 minutes, which helps the flavors meld and stabilizes the texture.
12. Artfully drizzle the prepared soy glaze and spicy mayo across the surface of the bake.
13. Garnish with creamy sliced avocado, crisp cucumber, toasted sesame seeds, and freshly chopped green onions.
14. Serve immediately alongside crisp nori sheets for a complete and interactive dining experience.

Notes

• Collect all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and minimize kitchen chaos.
• Ensure salmon is fresh and sushi-grade for optimal flavor and food safety.
• Prepare components like spicy mayo and sauces in advance to reduce last-minute stress.
• Let rice cool completely to prevent mushiness and achieve perfect texture for sushi bake.
• Use a sharp knife when cubing salmon to maintain clean, even pieces for consistent baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 90mg