Sushi Bake Salmon Layers (Printable)

A layered dish with salmon, seasoned rice, creamy avocado, and nori topped with sesame seeds and spring onions.

# What you need:

→ Rice Layer

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

→ Salmon Layer

06 - 14 ounces skinless salmon fillet
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Creamy Layer

10 - 3.5 ounces 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 sushi rice under cold water until clear. Combine rice with water in saucepan, bring to boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in small bowl. Fold mixture into cooked rice and fluff with a fork. Spread rice evenly in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
03 - Set oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
04 - Place salmon on parchment-lined baking tray. Brush with soy sauce and sesame oil, then sprinkle with black pepper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through. Flake salmon with a fork.
05 - Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, sriracha, and lemon juice until smooth. Fold flaked salmon into the mixture.
06 - Spread salmon mixture evenly over rice layer in baking dish.
07 - Bake assembled dish for 10 minutes until heated through and lightly golden on top.
08 - Top casserole with sliced avocado, nori squares, toasted sesame seeds, and spring onions.
09 - Slice casserole and serve warm with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • All the sushi flavors you crave without needing any rolling skills or special technique.
  • Ready to serve in under an hour, which means you can pull it together on a weeknight without stress.
  • Impresses people at the table without making you sweat in the kitchen.
  • Naturally feeds a crowd and scales up easily if you need more servings.
02 -
  • Add your toppings as close to serving as possible or the avocado will brown and the nori will lose its crispy texture.
  • If you're making this ahead, prepare everything separately and assemble just before baking that final time so textures stay distinct.
  • Rinse the rice thoroughly or you'll end up with a gluey, unpleasant texture instead of that distinct grain feel sushi rice should have.
03 -
  • Kewpie mayo is a genuine game-changer here—it's sweeter and richer than regular mayo, making the creamy layer actually taste special instead of just adding moisture.
  • Let your rice cool to room temperature before building the casserole or the heat will cook the avocado and wilt everything before you want it to.
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