Easy Spicy Salmon and Cucumber Sushi Roll Recipe

Last Updated on February 10, 2025 by Karen

Make these delicious spicy salmon and cucumber sushi rolls at home with this easy recipe! Perfect for sushi lovers, with step-by-step instructions, tips, and ingredient variations for a customizable sushi experience.

If you’re craving sushi but don’t want to spend a ton of money at your favorite sushi restaurant, this easy spicy salmon and cucumber sushi roll recipe is the perfect way to enjoy fresh sushi at home! With a blend of spicy salmon and crunchy cucumber, and seasoned sushi rice, this homemade sushi roll is as delicious as it is satisfying. Plus, it’s a fun and creative cooking project for sushi lovers of all skill levels.

Making sushi at home may sound intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be rolling your own creations in no time. Whether you’re a sushi newbie or a seasoned pro, this recipe will guide you through every step, so you can enjoy a flavorful spicy salmon roll made with fresh ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Spicy Salmon Roll Recipe

The spicy salmon roll is a great choice for sushi lovers who enjoy a bit of heat. The crunchy cucumber creates a perfect contrast to the spicy salmon mixture, making each bite a delightful explosion of textures and flavors. Making sushi at home gives you the chance to customize your rolls, experiment with different fillings, and enjoy fresh sushi-grade fish without leaving the house.

Once you’ve mastered the art of making sushi, you’ll be able to create different variations, like spicy salmon sushi bowls, spicy tuna rolls, or crispy rice cakes, all with the same delicious ingredients.

Other sushi recipes you’ll love:

Easy California Crunchy Sushi Roll Recipe

Spicy California Sushi Roll Recipe (Imitation Crab Salad)

Ingredients Needed to Make Spicy Salmon Rolls

To make the perfect spicy salmon sushi roll, you’ll need a combination of fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together to create a harmonious taste. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe:

Sushi Rice: Sushi rice is essential for making sushi rolls. Unlike long grain rice like jasmine rice, sushi rice is sticky and slightly sweet, which helps it adhere to the nori sheet and hold the roll together. For the best results, you should use short-grain rice or medium-grain rice, which is commonly referred to as sushi rice. The sticky texture of this cooked rice is what makes it perfect for sushi. Once cooked, the white rice is seasoned with a vinegar mixture (made from rice vinegar, sugar, and salt) to give it that tangy, slightly sweet flavor that is characteristic of sushi rice.

Sushi-Grade Salmon: When making sushi, sushi-grade salmon is a must. This refers to fish that has been handled and prepared in a way that makes it safe to eat raw. It’s fresh, carefully processed, and usually frozen before consumption to kill any parasites. Look for wild salmon or farm-raised salmon that is labeled as sushi-grade from a trusted source, such as your local fish market. The salmon filet should be firm and bright in color. You can also use fresh raw salmon if it’s labeled safe for sushi use.

Cucumber: Cucumber is an essential ingredient for adding a refreshing crunch to your sushi rolls. Thinly sliced cucumber strips bring a cool, crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the spicy salmon. It’s the perfect addition to balance out the richness of the fish and the creaminess of the mayo. If you prefer, you can use other vegetables like jicama or carrots for an extra crunch, but cucumber is the traditional choice.

Nori Sheets: Nori sheets are the thin, dark green, edible seaweed sheets that form the base of your sushi roll. They provide a mild, salty flavor and a slight crunch when paired with the sushi rice. The shiny side of the nori should be placed facing down on the bamboo sushi mat, and the rough side should face up to make it easier for the rice to stick. Nori helps to keep everything together, making it a crucial component of the roll. It’s typically available at most grocery stores or Asian markets.

Spicy Mayo: Spicy mayo is a simple but essential ingredient that makes your spicy salmon roll stand out. A spicy mayo sauce is made by mixing Japanese mayo (like Kewpie mayo) with sriracha sauce, creating a creamy, tangy, and spicy dressing for your fish. The creamy Japanese mayo is rich and smooth, while the sriracha sauce provides the heat. You can adjust the level of spiciness to suit your preferences by adding more or less sriracha. If you can’t find Kewpie mayo, regular mayonnaise will work too, though the flavor might be slightly different.

Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and subtle nutty flavor to your sushi rolls. These seeds are often sprinkled on top of the roll, enhancing the texture and providing a lovely visual appeal. You can use either white sesame seeds or black sesame seeds depending on what you have available or what look you’re going for. Sesame seeds are a common garnish on sushi rolls and can elevate your presentation and flavor.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce is a must-have when serving sushi, and it’s commonly used as a dipping sauce for each piece of sushi. The salty, umami-rich flavor of soy sauce pairs wonderfully with the spicy salmon roll and enhances the taste of the sushi rice and salmon. You can also try adding a splash of soy sauce to your spicy mayo mixture to give it a deeper flavor.

Bamboo Sushi Mat: A bamboo sushi mat is essential for rolling sushi with ease. It helps shape and hold your roll in place, making it easier to form a tight and neat sushi roll. Make sure to use a mat that’s clean and free of any lingering rice or other ingredients. To keep your bamboo sushi mat clean during rolling, you can also cover it with a piece of plastic wrap.

How to Make Spicy Salmon and Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Follow these easy steps to make your own homemade spicy salmon rolls:

Step 1: Cook the Sushi Rice

Start by rinsing the sushi rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This will remove excess starch from the rice and help it stick better. Once rinsed, cook rice in a rice cooker or on the stovetop. Once cooked, transfer the rice to a bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature. When the rice is cool, mix in the vinegar, sugar, and salt to season the rice. If you have a rice paddle, it would be a good tool to use for mixing. If not, a regular spatula would work too.

Step 2: Prepare the Spicy Salmon Mixture

While the rice is cooling, slice your sushi-grade salmon into thin strips. In a medium bowl, mix together the salmon with your spicy mayo (sriracha sauce combined with Japanese mayo in a small bowl) to make a creamy spicy salmon mixture. If you like more heat, add extra sriracha. Stir the ingredients well until the salmon is fully coated.

Step 3: Prepare the Nori Sheet and Fillings

Lay a piece of nori, shiny side down, on your bamboo sushi mat. Wet your hands with a bowl of water to prevent the rice from sticking to them. Spread an even layer of cooled sushi rice over the nori, leaving about 1 inch at the top of the sheet to seal the roll. Sprinkle some sesame seeds over the rice if desired. Next, add the spicy salmon mixture and cucumber strips along the center of the rice.

Step 4: Roll the Sushi

Carefully lift the edge of the nori closest to you using the bamboo mat, and begin rolling the sushi tightly. Keep the fillings in place as you roll. Once you reach the exposed edge of the nori, wet it with a little water to seal the roll tightly.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Using a sharp knife, slice the roll into bite-sized pieces on a cutting board. Wipe the knife between each cut to keep it clean and avoid sticking. Serve the sushi rolls with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi for the ultimate sushi experience.

Tips for Making the Best Sushi at Home

Making sushi at home doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating. Here are some useful tips to help you get the best results:

Use the right rice: Sushi rice is key! Regular rice won’t have the right texture or stickiness. Make sure you use short-grain or medium-grain rice specifically labeled as “sushi rice.”

Perfect the rice seasoning: The vinegar, sugar, and salt seasoning is what gives sushi rice its characteristic tangy flavor. Be sure to mix it while the rice is still warm but not hot.

Keep everything clean: Wet your hands with water to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands. This also helps when rolling the sushi to keep everything neat.

Use sharp knives: To slice your rolls cleanly without squishing them, use a very sharp knife. Wipe the knife with a damp cloth between each cut to keep it clean and prevent rice from sticking.

Roll tightly but gently: When rolling the sushi, apply enough pressure to keep the roll tight, but don’t squeeze too hard. You want the sushi to hold its shape, but you don’t want to crush the ingredients inside.

Can You Use Other Fish Instead of Salmon?

Yes! While this recipe calls for spicy salmon, you can easily swap out the salmon for other types of sushi-grade fish. Some great options include:

Tuna: Tuna, especially sushi-grade yellowfin or albacore, works wonderfully in sushi. It has a firm texture and mild flavor.

Shrimp: If you like seafood but aren’t a fan of raw fish, cooked shrimp can make a delicious and crunchy sushi filling.

Crab: Crab meat, either real or imitation (surimi), is commonly used in sushi rolls and adds a sweet, tender texture.

White Fish: White fish like snapper, halibut, or tilapia can also work in spicy sushi rolls if you’re looking for a lighter alternative to salmon.

If you’re using a different fish, simply follow the same steps for making the spicy mayo mixture and assemble your rolls with the new fish variety.

What are some variations to this spicy salmon sushi recipe?

There are lots of fun ways to personalize your spicy salmon roll and experiment with new flavors! Here are some variations you can try to elevate your spicy salmon recipe:

Avocado Slices
While avocado is already included in the roll as a whole, you can also mix avocado slices into the spicy salmon mixture for a creamy texture throughout the filling. The buttery consistency of the avocado will help balance out the heat from the sriracha mayo, adding a more luxurious, smooth mouthfeel.

Sesame Oil
For a deeper, nutty flavor, try adding a dash of sesame oil to your spicy salmon mixture. Sesame oil has a rich, roasted taste that complements the freshness of the fish and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile. A small amount goes a long way, so just a teaspoon will do.

Green Onions
Incorporating green onions into the spicy salmon mixture will add a fresh, slightly sharp flavor. Slice the green onions thinly and mix them with the spicy mayo and salmon. The mild onion taste will add an extra layer of flavor that pairs nicely with the creaminess of the avocado and the spice of the mayo. You can also use green onions as a garnish on top of the roll for added crunch and flavor.

Jalapeño Slices
For sushi lovers who crave more heat, adding thin jalapeño slices to the roll or even directly to the spicy salmon mixture can really kick up the spice factor. The fresh jalapeno slice will add an extra zing that pairs wonderfully with the rich salmon and creamy avocado. You can also top the finished roll with a few extra jalapeño slices for a bold look and extra heat!

Brown Rice
If you’re looking to make your sushi rolls a little healthier, you can swap white sushi rice for brown rice. Brown rice will add a nutty, earthy flavor and provide extra fiber, which is great for those who prefer a whole grain option. Keep in mind that brown rice has a firmer texture than white rice, so it may take a little longer to cook and won’t be as sticky, but it’s still an excellent choice for a slightly different texture.

Crispy Topping
For an added crunchy texture, you can top your spicy salmon roll with crispy fried onions or tempura flakes (also known as tenkasu). This will add a delightful crunch on top of the roll, which contrasts nicely with the creamy avocado and smooth fish.

Mango or Fruit Addition
To balance the spice with a sweet element, try adding thin slices of mango or another tropical fruit to the roll. The sweetness of the mango will enhance the spicy mayo while creating a fun contrast in both flavor and texture. You could also experiment with fruits like pineapple or even kiwi for a unique twist.

This recipe is not just for sushi enthusiasts but for anyone who loves to try their hand at homemade meals. Whether you’re hosting a sushi night or making a fun weekend dinner, this spicy salmon roll recipe will be a hit. It’s a great way to bring the best sushi restaurant experience into your kitchen, and your taste buds will thank you for it.

Have fun making your own sushi, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your filling ingredients!