Salmon Roll with Cream Cheese (Japanese Maki Sushi Recipe)

5 from 2 votes

Enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of this Salmon Roll, filled with fresh salmon and cream cheese. This simple homemade maki sushi is perfect for sushi lovers!

Looking for sushi roll recipes? Try my Oshinko Sushi Roll, Avocado Sushi Roll, or Kanpyo Sushi Roll!

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This Salmon Roll is simple to make and full of rich flavor.
The cream cheese adds a nice balance to the rich, fatty salmon.
It’s perfect to share at family meals or gatherings!

Types of Sushi Rolls

The sushi roll, known in Japanese as Maki sushi or Nori maki, is made by wrapping a nori sheet (seaweed) around a layer of vinegared rice and some fillings in the center. There are three types of maki sushi: Hosomaki (“thin roll” with a single filling), Futomaki (“thick roll” with a variety of fillings), and Uramaki (“inside-out roll”).

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Salmon Roll Recipe:

Cooked Rice: Use Japanese short-grain rice, which is sticky, fluffy, and perfect for making sushi rolls. If you are not familiar with the rice, see this recipe: “How to cook Japanese short-grain rice on the stove.”
Nori Sheets: These are crisp, dried seaweed sheets.
Raw Salmon: When eating salmon raw, make sure to use sushi-grade fillet for safety. Look for fish markets or specialty seafood stores that label their salmon as safe for raw consumption. If you prefer not to eat raw fish, you can use partially cooked or seared salmon instead.
Cream Cheese: Use portion-sized cream cheese for easier cutting into strips.
Lettuce (or any green leafy vegetable) for a fresh, crunchy filling.
Rice Vinegar, Sugar, and Salt for vinegared rice. Other types of vinegar might be too strong for the rice, so I highly recommend using rice vinegar. You can also use store-bought seasoned rice vinegar.

Makisu (Bamboo Sushi Mat)

A makisu, a bamboo mat or sushi rolling mat, is a traditional tool 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.

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

How To Make Salmon Roll: STEP BY STEP

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

Step 1

Cut the salmon and cream cheese into strips.

Step 2

Mix rice vinegar, salt, and sugar together, then add it to the cooked rice and mix well.

Step 3

Place a nori sheet on a sushi mat and evenly spread sushi rice over it. Add the lettuce.

Step 4

Place the salmon and cream cheese in the center.

Step 5

Roll from the front, applying gentle pressure to shape the roll.

Step 6

Prepare a damp cloth (or kitchen towel) and a very sharp knife to cut the sushi rolls into equal pieces.

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. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

When spreading the rice, wet your hands with water to prevent the sticky rice from clinging to your fingers, or use a rice paddle to make spreading easier.
Nori sheets have a shiny side and a rough side. Always place the shiny side down when assembling the roll.
When cutting, have a wet cloth ready. Moistening the knife before slicing makes the rice not stick and makes it easy to cut.

Your Questions Answered

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.

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