Sushi Bake with Salmon Avocado (Printable Version)

Layered dish of seasoned rice, flaked salmon, avocado, and nori baked and served warm with soy sauce.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Rice Layer

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 ½ cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Salmon Layer

06 - 14 oz skinless salmon fillet
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Creamy Layer

10 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
12 - 1 tablespoon sriracha (optional)
13 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

→ Toppings

14 - 2 avocados, sliced
15 - 3 sheets roasted nori, cut into small squares
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ For Serving

18 - Soy sauce (for dipping)
19 - Pickled ginger (optional)
20 - Wasabi (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into the cooked rice and fluff gently with a fork. Spread rice evenly in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
04 - Place the salmon fillet on a parchment-lined baking tray. Brush with soy sauce, sesame oil, and sprinkle with black pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through, then flake with a fork.
05 - In a bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, sriracha, and lemon juice until smooth. Fold in the flaked salmon gently.
06 - Spread the salmon mixture evenly over the rice layer in the baking dish.
07 - Bake the assembled dish for 10 minutes until warmed through and slightly golden on top.
08 - Top with sliced avocado, nori squares, toasted sesame seeds, and spring onions. Slice and serve warm with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like restaurant sushi but comes together in under an hour with zero rolling skills required.
  • Cream cheese and mayo create this unexpectedly luxe sauce that binds the whole thing together.
  • You can customize every layer based on what's in your kitchen, so it feels different every time.
02 -
  • Do not add avocado before baking—it will turn brown and mushy, and all that beautiful texture disappears.
  • Toast your nori squares in a dry pan for thirty seconds right before serving, or cut them just before plating, because nori absorbs moisture and goes soggy incredibly fast.
  • The rice needs to be perfectly cooked but still warm when you spread it, or it becomes dense and won't accept the creamy layer properly.
03 -
  • Mix your rice seasoning while the rice is still steaming hot so the vinegar, sugar, and salt dissolve completely instead of sitting on the grains.
  • Buy the best salmon you can afford because you taste it directly—pale, thin fillets from the freezer section will feel different than fresh, wild-caught pieces.
  • Make the cream cheese mixture thicker than you think it needs to be, because it spreads and loosens slightly as it bakes and sits.
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