Spicy Salmon Sushi Bake (Printable Version)

Layered sushi rice casserole with spicy salmon, mayo, sriracha, and savory toppings. Viral TikTok favorite!

# What You'll Need:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 1/2 cups water
03 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 2 tablespoons sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Spicy Salmon Mixture

06 - 1 pound skinless salmon fillet
07 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 to 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 - 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

→ Assembly

13 - 1 sheet nori, crumbled
14 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
16 - 1 avocado, sliced
17 - 3 sheets roasted seaweed snacks
18 - Additional sriracha and mayonnaise for drizzling

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rinsed rice with 2 1/2 cups water in a rice cooker or medium saucepan and cook according to package instructions.
02 - In a small saucepan, heat rice vinegar, sugar, and salt over medium heat until dissolved. Pour seasoning mixture over cooked rice and gently fold together. Allow to cool slightly.
03 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
04 - Place salmon fillet on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with oil, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Flake with a fork and cool slightly.
05 - In a mixing bowl, combine flaked salmon, mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
06 - Lightly oil a 9 by 9 inch baking dish. Spread seasoned sushi rice evenly across the bottom and sprinkle crumbled nori over the rice layer.
07 - Distribute spicy salmon mixture evenly over nori-topped rice. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top if using.
08 - Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbling.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and avocado slices, then drizzle with additional sriracha and mayonnaise.
10 - Serve warm, scooped onto roasted seaweed snacks or as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It gives you all the flavors of spicy salmon rolls without the intimidation of actually rolling sushi.
  • The creamy, spicy topping gets these crispy golden edges in the oven that you can't stop picking at.
  • You can make it ahead and just bake it when people arrive, which means you're not stuck in the kitchen during the fun part.
  • It looks wildly impressive but honestly requires zero technical skill.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or your bake will turn out sticky and clumpy instead of fluffy and layered.
  • Let the salmon cool before mixing it with the mayo or the heat will make the sauce separate and look oily.
  • If you're not using cheese, add a tiny bit more mayo to the salmon mixture so the top stays moist during baking.
03 -
  • Use a rice paddle or spatula dipped in water when spreading the rice so it doesn't stick to your hands or the utensil.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on top, the flavor difference is huge.
  • If you want a crispier top, broil the bake for the last two minutes, but watch it closely so the cheese doesn't burn.
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