Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best sushi bake ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
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 with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
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: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include optional sesame seeds.
