California Roll Cucumber Salad Recipe
Recipe posted in: Flex Meals & Snacks, Snacks, Lunches & Dinners, Sides, Snacks
If you love the fresh, savory flavors of sushi but want something quick, easy and perfect for meal prep, this California Roll Cucumber Salad is for you! Inspired by the popular California roll, this simple California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe brings together crisp cucumber, creamy avocado and savory imitation crab in a refreshing, satisfying dish. Inspired by the viral cucumber salad recipe, it’s a new, easier way to enjoy your favorite sushi flavors.
Why You’ll Love This California Roll Cucumber Salad
This California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe is the ultimate fusion of taste and convenience. It’s low in calories, high in flavor and requires minimal prep time. Here’s why you need to add it to your recipe rotation:
- Quick and Easy: Just a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with fresh veggies, lean protein and healthy fats.
- Sushi Flavors Without the Hassle: No rolling or special sushi-making skills required.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great as a light lunch, side dish or appetizer for sushi night.
- Customizable: Easily tweak the ingredients to fit your taste preferences or needs.
While you can enjoy this California Roll Cucumber Salad year-round, it’s especially refreshing during the warmer months. Cucumbers are at their peak in the summer, making this the perfect light and cooling dish for hot days. It’s also great for meal prep, potlucks, and even as a quick weeknight dinner option.
Ingredients and Nutritional Benefits
This simple California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe includes a handful of ingredients that work together to create an incredibly flavorful dish:
- English cucumbers are hydrating, crunchy and low in calories, making them the perfect salad base.
- Imitation crab is a staple in California rolls, providing a slightly sweet, seafood flavor with a good amount of protein.
- Avocado adds creaminess and heart-healthy fats, making the salad more filling.
- Green onion brings a mild oniony bite without overpowering the dish.
- Soy sauce enhances the umami flavor while keeping things light and savory.
- Light mayonnaise and sriracha combine for a creamy, slightly spicy dressing that ties everything together.
- Sesame seeds add a nutty crunch that complements the other flavors.
At just 188 calories per serving, this salad is a great way to enjoy sushi-inspired flavors without excess carbs or calories. If you’re on Nutrisystem, you can count each serving as one PowerFuel, two Extras and one Vegetable serving on your meal plan.
How to Make California Roll Cucumber Salad
One of the best things about this California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe is how simple it is to prepare. Here’s how to make it:
- Thinly Slice the Cucumber: Use a sharp knife or a mandoline for ultra-thin, even slices.
- Chop and Mix: Combine imitation crab, green onion, soy sauce, light mayo, sriracha and avocado in a bowl.
- Toss Everything Together: Mix the cucumber slices with the crab mixture until everything is well-coated.
- Top with Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle over the top for the perfect finishing touch.
That’s it! This salad is ready to enjoy in minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is delicious on its own as a snack or side dish. However, you can also pair it with other ingredients for a complete meal. Here are some serving ideas:
- Serve it with sushi rice or brown rice to make it a more filling meal.
- Turn it into a sushi burrito by rolling it up in nori seaweed sheets.
- Add more toppings like edamame, shredded carrots or pickled ginger for a heartier sushi bowl meal.
- Pair it with a warm bowl of miso soup for a cozy meal.
Ways to Customize This Recipe
This simple California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe is easy to tweak based on your personal preferences. Here are some fun ways to mix things up:
- Add More Protein: Swap imitation crab for real crab, shrimp or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Boost the Veggies: Toss in shredded carrots, bell peppers or radishes for extra crunch and nutrients.
- Make it Spicier: Add more sriracha or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Try a Different Dressing: Substitute the mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter twist or add a drizzle of sesame oil for more depth of flavor.
- Top it Off: Garnish with furikake seasoning, crushed nori, everything bagel seasoning or even chopped peanuts for an extra flavor boost.
A Fresh, Flavor-Packed Twist on a Classic
This lightened-up take on the viral cucumber salad recipe is a fresh, healthy and sushi-inspired dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you’re a sushi lover looking for a quick fix or just want a light, refreshing salad with a twist, this California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe is a must-try. With endless customization options and an incredibly simple prep process, you’ll find yourself making this again and again.
So why not give this simple California Roll Cucumber Salad recipe a try? It might just become your new favorite go-to meal!
Servings: 2
Calories per Serving: 188
On Nutrisystem, Count As: 1 PowerFuel, 2 Extras and 1 Vegetable
Ingredients:
- 1 English cucumber
- 4 oz. imitation crab, chopped
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 ½ Tbsp. soy sauce, low sodium
- 1 Tbsp. light mayonnaise
- 2 tsp. sriracha
- ½ avocado, chopped
- 1 tsp. sesame seeds
Directions:
- Slice the cucumber very thin with a knife or mandoline. Place it into a bowl.
- Add the imitation crab, green onion, soy sauce, mayonnaise, sriracha and avocado.
- Toss until well incorporated. You can also put the mixture in a container with a lid and shake it to combine.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.