How To Make Salmon Roll (Japanese Sushi Recipe)

5 from 2 votes

Try this mouthwatering Salmon Roll Sushi recipe and learn how to make homemade sushi with fresh salmon and creamy cheese. It's a breeze to make!

Salmon, the sushi superstar! The Salmon Roll truly shines with its simplicity and rich flavor among the many sushi choices. I include cream cheese to enhance its deliciousness, as it pairs perfectly with the fatty salmon.

Follow these easy steps to create your own sushi at home!

This recipe is for you if:

You love Japanese sushi.
You are looking for a salmon roll recipe.
You are looking for an easy sushi recipe.

If you want to check the recipe immediately, please visit the link below. Let's get started!

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About This Recipe
A Brief Introduction to Sushi Roll (Maki Sushi)
📋 Ingredients
Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients
Makisu (Bamboo Mat)
🔪Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Rice
Step 2: Preparing the Fillings
Step 3: Assembling the Roll
Step 4: Cutting the Roll
Serve
Helpful Tips
Sushi Roll Variations
Thanks For Stopping By!
More Sushi Recipes You Might Like
📖 Recipe
How To Make Salmon Roll (Japanese Sushi Recipe)
💬 Comments

About This Recipe

Japanese salmon roll recipe
Fillings are raw salmon, cream cheese, and lettuce.
Modern-style sushi roll
Straightforward step-by-step instructions

A Brief Introduction to Sushi Roll (Maki Sushi)

The sushi roll, called Maki sushi or Nori maki in Japanese, is made by wrapping a nori sheet (seaweed) around vinegared rice with some fillings in the center. The fillings are usually strips of sushi-grade fish (raw) and vegetables.

Sushi roll comes in two different sizes:

Hosomaki refers to thin sushi rolls, typically containing one main ingredient inside the roll. Kappa Maki, Oshinko Maki, and Kanpyo Maki are of this type.
Futomaki, on the other hand, refers to thick rolls that can contain multiple ingredients. This type includes Avocado Futomaki, Uramaki (inside-out roll), California roll, and Dragon roll.

Hosomaki, futomaki, and uramaki on a cutting board.

I hope this simple knowledge will make ordering at sushi restaurants a more enjoyable and effortless experience for you!

📋 Ingredients

Here are the ingredients (the amounts are in the recipe card below).

Cooked Japanese rice: See below

Nori sheet: See below.

Fresh salmon, cream cheese, and lettuce (or any leafy vegetables) are the filling ingredients. See below for the salmon. I use portion-sized cream cheese for its convenience in cutting into strips.

Rice Vinegar, sugar, and salt: We blend them well and mix them into the rice to make vinegared rice. Other types of vinegar might be a little too strong for the rice, so I highly recommend using rice vinegar. You can also use store-bought seasoned rice vinegar.

Japanese Short-grain Rice

The best rice for sushi rolls is short-grain rice, which is more starchy than long-grain rice and helps maintain the desired shape of the sushi roll and onigiri rice balls.

Koshihikari rice is the most famous and popular brand of Japanese rice. Or you can use the one labeled "sushi rice" on the packaging. Both white and brown rice can be used for sushi, depending on your preference.

I won't go into how to cook rice in this recipe, so please refer to the "How to Cook Japanese Rice on the Stove" recipe.

How To Cook Perfect Japanese Rice on The Stove

5 from 8 votes

You don't have a rice cooker? Don't worry. You can easily cook fluffy and delicious Japanese short-grain rice on the stove! Let's learn how!

Make This Recipe

Nori Sheet

Nori seaweed sheets are dried seaweed that are crisp and come in sheet form, as shown in the picture above.

Get this full-size nori sheet (8.3" x 7.5" or 21 x 19 cm) at a grocery store.

Raw Salmon

When consuming it raw, pick a sushi-grade salmon fillet for the best flavor and safety. Look for fish markets or specialty seafood stores that label their salmon as suitable for raw consumption.

If raw fish isn't your preference, you can opt for cooked or partially seared salmon.

Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients

If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.

Japanese market: Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai
Asian market
Whole Foods Market
Health food stores
Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon

Makisu (Bamboo Mat)

A Makisu, a bamboo mat or sushi rolling mat, is a traditional tool used in Japanese cuisine for rolling sushi. It is made from thin bamboo strips woven together with string. The Makisu provides support and helps shape the sushi roll while keeping the ingredients tightly wrapped.

When you closely observe the side profile of Makisu, you'll notice that one side is flat while the other is round. Place the nori sheet on the flat side to achieve a smooth surface for your sushi roll.

If you don't have a Makisu, you can still make sushi using a sheet of plastic wrap as a substitute.

🔪Instructions

Here are the detailed instructions for making sushi rolls. The process consists of the following four straightforward steps!

Step 1: Preparing the Rice
Step 2: Preparing the Ingredients
Step 3: Assembling the Roll
Step 4: Cutting the Roll

Step 1: Preparing the Rice

How to make salmon roll step-by-step instructions.

1. Blend rice vinegar, salt, and sugar well in a small bowl to make sushi vinegar.

2. Transfer the cooked rice to a large bowl, and gradually pour the sushi vinegar mixture over the rice while gently mixing it with a rice paddle.

3. Mix until the rice is evenly coated with vinegar. Be careful not to mash the rice.

4. Cover with a wet cloth over the bowl while preparing the ingredients. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature before making sushi rolls.

Step 2: Preparing the Fillings

1. Rinse the lettuce and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.

2. Cut into 1 cm (½-inch) strips.

3. Cut into 1 cm (½-inch) strips.

Step 3: Assembling the Roll

I aim to create a grid pattern appearance when cutting the salmon sushi rolls so that I will layer the salmon and cream cheese in two layers.

1. Place a bamboo sushi mat on a flat surface and place a piece of nori sheet, shiny side down and rough side up, on the mat.

2. Wet your hands with a bit of water to prevent the rice from sticking, grab a handful of rice, and evenly spread the rice on the nori sheet. Leave half an inch (1.2 cm) of the nori uncovered at the top.

3. Place the lettuce in the center of the rice.

4. Place the cream cheese and salmon on top.

5. Swap the cream cheese and salmon positions and add one more layer of each.

6. Align the nori sheet with the front edge of the sushi mat. Use your middle finger to hold down the fillings, and lift the sushi mat with your thumb.

7. Start rolling from the front, making one complete turn while applying gentle pressure to shape the roll.

8. Lift the sushi mat and roll the sushi to seal the roll. Apply gentle pressure to shape the roll.

9. The first one is complete! Repeat the rolling process to make more rolls. Allow them to sit for a few minutes before cutting.

Step 4: Cutting the Roll

The easy way to handle the sticky rice is to wet your knife, making the cutting process smoother.

1. Prepare a damp cloth (or kitchen towel) and a very sharp knife.

2. Cut the salmon roll into bite-sized pieces.

Serve

Serve the salmon roll alongside soy sauce for dipping. You can also offer wasabi paste (Japanese horseradish) and pickled ginger on the side for added flavor.

Also, if you enjoy a spicy kick, drizzling some hot sauce can be a great idea to add extra flavor! Enjoy!

Helpful Tips

When preparing the sushi rice, avoid mashing the grains while stirring. Use a gentle folding motion to mix the rice and seasonings. If the sushi rice is still hot, you can use a paper fan to cool it to room temperature.
When spreading the rice, ensure it is evenly distributed on the nori sheet. Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, as rice tends to be sticky. You can also use a rice paddle as it can make the spreading process easier.
Ensure that the smooth side of the sushi mat faces up and the knot is positioned on the upper side.
Position the bottom of the roll facing down and let it sit for a few minutes before cutting.

Sushi Roll Variations

Here are some sushi rolls (maki sushi) recipes you might want to try:

FAQ

Can I use cooked salmon for the roll?

Yes. You can use cooked salmon, but fresh raw salmon is traditionally preferred for its distinct flavor and texture.

What if I don't have a bamboo mat?

You can use plastic wrap to shape the roll if you don't have a bamboo mat. It works surprisingly well!

Is it difficult to make sushi rice?

Not at all! Making sushi rice is simple once you get the hang of it. Follow the instructions, and you'll have perfectly seasoned rice.

Can I customize the fillings in my Salmon Roll?

Absolutely! Sushi is highly customizable. You can add ingredients like fresh avocado, crunchy cucumber, spicy mayo, sriracha sauce, or even tempura for a unique twist.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡. If you've tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!

Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

Chef JA Cooks is a Japanese food blog that shares simple and healthy Japanese home cooking recipes, including vegan and vegetarian. From traditional Japanese recipes to modern recipes with step-by-step instructions.

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