Craving California roll flavors without the rice or rolling skills? Same. So, we’re taking on the viral TikTok trend and showing you how to make it at home, without having to hit pause 19 times to understand what’s going on. This totally delivers all those familiar tastes in a fresh, light dish that’s perfect for summer or whenever you wanna keep it low-carb.
We’ve deconstructed the beloved California roll into an easy salad that’s perfect for hot summer days or when you want sushi flavors without the technique. Crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and flaky crab come together with a sesame-soy dressing that hits all the right notes. We make this constantly during cucumber season because it’s fresh, light, and satisfies that sushi craving in minutes.
🔪 What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- English cucumber – thinly sliced; sweating optional for extra crunch
- Imitation crab – flaked; or sub shrimp, chicken, or tofu
- Avocado – ripe, diced; add last to keep chunks intact
- Cream cheese – softened to mix smoothly
- Green onion – thinly sliced
- Kewpie mayonnaise – tangy umami flavor; or sub regular mayo + vinegar + sugar
- Soy sauce – low sodium preferred
- Rice vinegar – adds acidity
- Sesame seeds – white, black, or a mix
- Toasted sesame oil – nutty depth
Garnish
- Extra sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Tools
- Mandoline or sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Jar with tight-fitting lid
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Colander (optional, for sweating cucumbers)
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Cucumber
Wash and dry the cucumber. Slice into 1/8-inch rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife.
Optional: Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, and let sit 10–15 minutes. Pat dry.
2. Mix the Salad
In a mixing container or jar, combine cucumber, imitation crab, cream cheese, green onion, mayo, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and sesame oil.
3. Shake or Stir
Seal with a tight lid and shake vigorously until well mixed. For neater avocado pieces, fold in avocado last with a spoon.
4. Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onion. Serve immediately.
💡 Meat Nerd Tips
- Sweat the cucumbers to reduce water and keep the salad crisp
- Use Kewpie mayo for signature sushi roll flavor
- Toast sesame seeds to deepen nutty notes
- Fold in avocado last to keep it from mashing
🔁 Ingredient Swaps
- No crab? Try shrimp, chicken, or tofu
- No Kewpie? Sub mayo + splash of rice vinegar + pinch of sugar
- No green onion? Use chives or red onion
🍽️ What to Serve With
- Edamame or seaweed salad
- Miso soup or gyoza
- As a side with grilled fish
- Over rice or greens for a quick poke bowl
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Best Fresh: Serve immediately for optimal texture
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. The cucumbers will soften, and the avocado may brown, so really, this tastes best made fresh every time.
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California Roll Cucumber Salad
Recommended Equipment
- jar or container with a tight-fitting lid
- Knife or Mandoline slicer
- cutting board
- Colander, for optional sweating of the cucumber
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the California Roll Cucumber Salad:
- 2 cups English cucumber (1 large English Cucumber)
- 6 oz imitation crab meat flaked
- 1 avocado diced
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup green onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
For Garnish:
- sesame seeds a mix of black and white
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Wash and dry your cucumber. Using a knife or a mandoline, slice it into thin rounds (about 1/8-inch thick).
- Optional Cucumber Sweating: Place the cucumber slices in a colander. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt and toss. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Add all ingredients to your jar or container..
- Seal the lid tightly. Shake the container vigorously for 15-30 seconds until everything is well-mixed and coated in a creamy dressing.
- Pour the salad into a serving bowl or plate. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, but it’s best served the same day. Prep components separately and mix just before serving.
Absolutely. Just flake it and fold it in gently.
It adds richness, but you can skip it or use extra avocado.
