A california roll cucumber salad is the salad of your dreams. This easy recipe is the salad version of the classic california sushi roll. The salad is loaded with the crunchiness of fresh cucumber, added with crab, avocado, cream cheese, and homemade spicy mayo – so good.

A bowl of creamy crab salad topped with a drizzle of spicy mayo.

Crab + Cucumber: If you like the combination of crab and cucumber – sushi vibes, try our low-carb homemade california roll bowl and our popular kani salad. 

Before You Start

  • Prep ingredients. For a smooth cooking process, it’s always a good idea to have your ingredients prepped. Make your spicy mayo in advance, chop the cucumbers, and prepare the vegetables. 
  • Go easy on the sauce. When it comes to dressing, you can always add more. Start with just the recommended amount, mix, and see if you need more! 
  • Have a large container. This salad requires thorough mixing to break down the cream cheese and create a smooth sauce. 
  • Prepare to be wowed. This healthy california roll cucumber salad is so delicious, you will hardly believe it’s a salad!

California Roll Salad Ingredient Tips

  • Cucumbers – Cucumber is the best base for salads! We love to use english cucumbers or persian cucumbers. You can even make a creamy cucumber salad with the extra cucumbers.
  • Imitation crab meat – Just like in our crab and egg cups, imitation crab is the key protein. Use the flake style or crab sticks. 
  • Avocado – A ripe, creamy avocado, when mixed, helps give this salad extra creaminess and should not be skipped.
  • Cream cheese – A classic ingredient in many sushi rolls, cream cheese adds a great flavor and creaminess to the salad. 
  • Spicy mayo – A homemade spicy mayo adds a delicious flavor to this dish and just the right amount of spice from the sriracha.
  • Seaweed – You can use large sheets of seaweed/ nori that you would roll sushi in, or use seaweed snack packs for this salad. 
  • Garnish – A finishing touch of sesame seeds and panko crumbs is just what this salad needs to elevate it and bring a great crunch. 

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make California Roll Cucumber Salad 

This is the easiest salad recipe and the simple instructions will have you making it on repeat.

A bowl of spicy mayo.
  1. In a large bowl, mix together spicy mayo ingredients.
A bowl of the california roll cucumber salad drizzled with spicy mayo.

2. To a large plastic container, add the sliced cucumber, diced crab, diced avocado, cream cheese, and seaweed. Cover and shake till all the ingredients are combined and drizzle with spicy mayo. Garnish with the sesame seeds and panko crumbs, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

  • Appetizer: This salad pairs perfectly with crispy fried spring rolls for a delightful combination. 
  • Entree: Serve this salad as a side for any of your favorite “better than takeout” entrees. Here are some of our favorites: 
A bowl of creamy california roll sushi salad.

Meal Prep Salad

  • Storage tips. Prepare this salad in advance by adding all the ingredients to an airtight container, excluding the avocado, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and garnish. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, add those ingredients to the salad, toss, and serve! 

More Salad Recipes

If you enjoyed this sushi salad recipe, be sure to try our other easy salad recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this spicy cucumber salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star ratingand let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

California Roll Cucumber Salad

Author: Valentina Ablaev
A bowl of creamy crab salad topped with a drizzle of spicy mayo.
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5 from 2 votes
This california roll cucumber salad recipe is going to be your go-to for an easy and delicious salad. This is a salad that has it all, from the crunch to the flavor and even a little spice. You can’t go wrong with our 5-minute california roll salad.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients

  • 1 large English cucumber 3 Persian cucumbers, sliced
  • 4 imitation crab sticks diced
  • ½ avocado diced
  • 2 Tbsp cream cheese
  • 3 Tbsp spicy mayo
  • 1 sheet seaweed cut into strips
  • 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp panko crumbs
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • To a bowl, mason jar, or plastic container with lid, add the cucumber, diced crab, diced avocado, cream cheese, and seaweed.
  • Cover and shake till all the ingredients are combined, or gently toss in the bowl.
  • Drizzle with the spicy mayo and add the sesame seeds and panko crumbs.
  • Enjoy immediately, either directly from the jar or in the bowl.

Notes

  • Prep ingredients. For the best cooking process, chop up your vegetables and crab. Once all your ingredients are ready, the process is easy and smooth. 
  • Dressing. When it comes to dressing, you can always add more. Start off slow with the spicy mayo and add more if needed. 
  • Large container. This recipe requires vigorous shaking to incorporate all the ingredients. This means you need an airtight container or bowl; deli containers are great for this purpose. 
  • Make ahead. To meal prep this salad, add all of the ingredients to a container, except the avocado, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and panko crumbs, as they don’t hold up as well. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you are ready to serve, add the remaining ingredients, toss, and enjoy!

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian