Description
California Roll Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make dish inspired by the flavors of a classic California sushi roll. It combines crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and sweet shredded imitation crab meat with a tangy sesame-soy dressing. This no-cook salad is perfect for a light lunch, appetizer, or side dish, offering the delicious taste of sushi without the hassle of rolling or rice. It’s gluten-free, low-carb friendly, and ready in minutes, making it a fresh and satisfying choice for warm weather or any time you crave sushi flavors in a simpler form.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 cup imitation crab meat, shredded
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Slice the cucumber thinly into rounds using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer. Dice the ripe avocado carefully into bite-sized pieces without mashing. Slice the green onions, including both white and green parts, for flavor and color.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss together the sliced cucumber, shredded imitation crab meat, diced avocado, and sliced green onions to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Toss and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added crunch and visual appeal. Serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly thin cucumber slices and easier prep.
- Choose ripe avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure for creaminess.
- Let the salad chill longer than 15 minutes for more enhanced flavors if time permits.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce, sugar, and seasoning according to personal taste preferences.
- For variations, add thinly sliced radishes, bell peppers, crushed peanuts, seaweed, or fresh herbs like cilantro or mint.
- To make it vegan, substitute imitation crab with marinated tofu or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: California roll salad, cucumber salad, imitation crab salad, no-cook salad, Japanese salad, gluten-free salad, low-carb salad, avocado salad, sesame dressing, summer salad
