California Roll Cucumber Salad Recipe
A refreshing and light California Roll Cucumber Salad inspired by sushi flavors, combining crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, and shredded imitation crab meat tossed in a savory sesame-soy dressing. Perfect as a healthy appetizer or side dish with a hint of spice and crunch from toasted sesame seeds and nori strips.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Vegetables
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
Seafood
- 1 cup imitation crab meat, shredded
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie mayo)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for a spicy kick)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 sheet nori, thinly sliced into strips (optional)
- Prepare Cucumbers: Thinly slice the cucumbers and place them in a colander. Lightly salt them and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Then, gently pat dry with paper towels to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha (if using). Whisk until smooth and well blended to create a rich, flavorful dressing.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the shredded imitation crab meat and diced avocado into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss to coat each ingredient evenly without mashing the avocado.
- Add Cucumbers and Green Onions: Incorporate the cucumbers and finely chopped green onions into the bowl. Stir gently to combine all ingredients while maintaining the texture of the avocado and cucumbers.
- Garnish and Season: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thin nori strips on top for added texture and flavor. Adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Place the salad in the refrigerator to chill for 15-20 minutes before serving. This chilling step enhances the flavors and keeps the salad refreshing.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of sriracha or omit it for a mild version.
- Use Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise for authentic flavor and creaminess.
- Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and crunch, but you can omit or substitute with chopped nuts if preferred.
- The nori strips add a subtle seaweed flavor reminiscent of sushi; omit if you don’t have nori available.
- This salad is best served within a day of preparation to enjoy fresh textures.
Keywords: California roll salad, cucumber salad, sushi salad, imitation crab salad, avocado salad, no cook salad, gluten free salad