Curb your sushi craving with a spicy salmon sushi bake recipe that’s ready in just 30 minutes! It is a deconstructed sushi roll baked into a casserole and served with roasted seaweed and fresh veggies like cucumber and carrot slices for easy scooping.
What is a Sushi Bake?
A sushi bake (sometimes called a sushi casserole) takes everything you love about a sushi roll, flaky salmon, a creamy, spicy sauce, and warm rice, and layers it into one warm, scoopable dish that works for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dip.
The concept exploded on TikTok when @lizziemwong shared her recipe for sushi bake, using imitation crab, racking up more than 2 million views, and it’s easy to see why.
That’s not the first time a recipe like this has gone viral. Many remember when @emilymariko made a salmon rice bowl in 2020, and had everyone running to their kitchens. This easy salmon sushi bake recipe combines two meals into one irresistible dish, with all the flavors of sushi and no rolling required.
Key Ingredients
This throw-together salmon sushi bake recipe has all the flavors of your favorite salmon roll baked into a casserole you can scoop straight out of the dish. Here’s everything you need to make it.
- Rice: Cook white rice, jasmine rice, or sushi rice for the base of the salmon sushi bake recipe.
- Rice Vinegar: Season the rice with kosher salt and rice vinegar.
- Salmon: Broil salmon fillets or substitute with canned salmon, tuna, pulled chicken, or imitation crab.
- Mayonnaise: Kewpie mayonnaise is a sweet and creamy Japanese mayo that perfectly complements the spicy salmon with Sriracha. Order it online or visit a local Asian market to explore.
- Toppings: Top the salmon and rice casserole with mayo, Sriracha, unagi sauce, and a sprinkle of furikake seasoning (or togarashi for a bit of heat) before it bakes.
Additions and Substitutions
- Sweeten the rice. Some recipes call for adding white sugar to the rice. Feel free to add 1-2 teaspoons for sweeter rice.
- Experiment with mix-ins. Incorporate nori sheets into the salmon sushi bake by arranging them on the bottom of the casserole dish before adding the rice. You can even mix softened cream cheese into the Sriracha mayo mixture.
- Can I use canned salmon? Yes, but fresh baked salmon has a better texture and flavor.
How to Make a Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Then, cook the sushi rice with rice vinegar and kosher salt in a saucepan according to package directions. Once the liquid absorbs, fluff the rice with a fork, cover with a lid, and set it aside to steam.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to low broil and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Arrange the salmon onto it and broil uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Step 3: Transfer the cooked salmon to a mixing bowl and use a fork to shred it. Add the mayonnaise and Sriracha, and stir to combine.
Step 4: Press the steamed sushi rice into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle it with furikake seasoning. Spoon the salmon mixture over the rice and smooth it with a silicone spatula.
Step 5: Drizzle mayonnaise and Sriracha over the top, then sprinkle with furikake seasoning.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes. Then, broil on high for 2-3 minutes until bubbling.
If you enjoy the quick dinner idea, try more salmon recipes!
Toppings for Salmon Sushi Bake
Finish the salmon casserole with your favorite toppings, like sliced green onions, avocado slices, fish roe (tobiko), toasted sesame seeds, eel sauce (unagi), or a sprinkle of furikake seasoning.
If you like extra heat, add thinly sliced jalapeños or serrano chiles. You can also switch things up with Yum Yum sauce, wasabi aioli, gochujang aioli, or kimchi aioli, a splash of soy sauce, coconut aminos, or bonito flakes.
What to Serve With Sushi Salmon Bake
This salmon sushi bake recipe is a quick and easy meal you can enjoy on its own or pair it with edamame, a warm bowl of miso soup, cucumber carrot salad, or a simple seaweed salad.
It’s also perfect for feeding a crowd. Serve it with fresh vegetables and crackers for scooping, or nori sheets so guests can create their own hand-rolls.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave individual portions in 30-second increments for 1-2 minutes, or reheat in the oven at 350°F (176°C) for 10 minutes until warmed through
- Repurpose: Use the leftover sushi bake to make salmon sushi cups. Form nori squares into a muffin tin and top the sheets with the salmon and rice mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the concept of a sushi bake originate from?
Homestyle sushi casseroles have been a staple at Hawaiian potlucks for years – think poke bowls and spam musubi.
Social media creators in the Philippines blew up the dish during the 2020 quarantine, but many credit Mimi Qui Reyes. She has been selling ‘The Original Baked California Roll’ on her Instagram since 2015.
More Quick Dinner Ideas:
Salmon Sushi Bake Recipe
- 2 cups sushi rice washed and cooked according to the package
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon furikake seasoning plus more for topping
- ¼ cup Kewpie mayonnaise plus more for topping
- ¼ cup Sriracha sauce plus more for topping
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Then, cook the sushi rice with rice vinegar and kosher salt in a saucepan according to package directions. Once the liquid absorbs, fluff the rice with a fork, cover with a lid, and set it aside to steam.
- Preheat the oven to low broil and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Arrange the salmon onto it and broil uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Transfer the cooked salmon to a mixing bowl and use a fork to shred it. Add the mayonnaise and Sriracha, and stir to combine.
- Press the steamed sushi rice into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle it with furikake seasoning. Spoon the salmon mixture over the rice and smooth it with a silicone spatula.
- Drizzle mayonnaise and Sriracha over the top, then sprinkle with furikake seasoning.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C) and cook for 10-15 minutes. Then, broil on high for 2-3 minutes until bubbling.
Laura
Monday 13th of February 2023
I made this salmon sushi bake for dinner last night and it was a huge hit with my family! The flavors were so fresh and delicious, and it was so easy to make. We will definitely be making this again soon. Thank you for the great recipe!