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California Roll Cucumber Salad

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This California roll cucumber salad brings all the flavors of your favorite sushi roll into a fresh, crunchy, and easy-to-make salad. It’s perfect for hot days, quick lunches, or as a crowd-pleasing side for sushi night.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large English cucumbers (about 14 oz), thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium carrot (about 2 oz), julienned or shredded
  • 2 scallions (green onions), thinly sliced
  • 1 ripe but firm avocado (about 5 oz), diced
  • 5 oz imitation crab sticks (or real crab/cooked shrimp), shredded or chopped
  • 2 tablespoons pickled ginger, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie or regular mayo)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste (optional, to taste)
  • 2 roasted nori sheets (about 0.35 oz), cut into thin strips
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds (white, black, or mixed)
  • Cooked sushi rice, cooled (optional, 1-2 cups for a more filling salad)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry cucumbers. Slice thinly into rounds or half-moons. If using regular cucumbers, peel and seed them first.
  2. Place sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
  3. While cucumbers rest, peel and julienne the carrot, slice scallions, dice avocado, and chop pickled ginger if using.
  4. Shred or chop imitation crab sticks (or real crab/cooked shrimp).
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and wasabi paste (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste; thin with a splash of warm water if needed.
  6. After 10 minutes, squeeze excess water from cucumbers and pat dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine cucumbers, carrots, scallions, crab, and avocado. Pour dressing over and gently toss to coat.
  8. Add nori strips and toasted sesame seeds. Toss gently again.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra sesame seeds, nori, or a drizzle of soy sauce if desired. For meal prep, store salad and dressing separately and combine just before serving.

Notes

For best texture, salt and drain cucumbers before assembling. Add nori and avocado just before serving to keep them fresh. The salad is highly adaptable—swap proteins, add rice for a heartier meal, or spice up the dressing with Sriracha. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but add avocado and nori fresh each time.

Nutrition

Keywords: California roll salad, cucumber salad, sushi salad, easy salad, gluten-free, healthy lunch, crab salad, avocado salad, Japanese salad, summer salad

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/california-roll-cucumber-salad-recipe-easy-fresh-and-flavorful-guide/