Name: California Roll Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Japanese-inspired / Fusion
Ingredients: 1 English cucumber (about 300 g); 8 oz (225 g) imitation crab meat, chopped; 3 green onions, sliced (about 30 g); 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce, or to taste; 1 tbsp (15 ml) spicy mayo, or to taste; Pinch kosher salt (about 1 g); Pinch black pepper (about 0.5 g); 1 avocado, sliced (about 150 g); Optional: 1 tsp (5 g) sesame seeds, pickled ginger, wasabi, 1 tbsp (15 ml) ginger soy glaze

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the California Roll Cucumber Salad making waves. And if you haven’t—don’t worry, you’re about to get the inside scoop. Think of it as sushi’s breezy, low-maintenance cousin: all the flavor of a California roll, minus the sticky rice and rolling mat drama.

This cucumber salad version is crisp, creamy, and downright addictive. It’s perfect for when you’re craving sushi flavors but also want to keep things light, low carb, and ridiculously easy. Plus, it’s the kind of dish you can throw together between Zoom calls, during a kid’s nap, or while catching up on your favorite show.

The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity: tender imitation crab, crunchy cucumber, silky avocado, and just enough soy sauce and spicy mayo to make your tastebuds sing. It’s the ultimate healthy salad with a side of fun—especially when you shake it all up in a bowl (bonus points if you pretend you’re a professional sushi chef while doing it).

So grab your cucumber, channel your inner TikTok chef, and let’s roll—well, slice.

Why You’ll Love This California Roll Cucumber Salad

No sushi-rolling skills required.
Refreshing, crisp, and perfect for warm days.
Doubles as a viral TikTok recipe and a crowd-pleasing party dish.
Naturally a low carb recipe, but still indulgent in flavor.

Ingredients

1 English cucumber (about 300 g)
8 oz (225 g) imitation crab meat, chopped
3 green onions, sliced (about 30 g)
15 ml soy sauce (1 tbsp), or to taste
15 ml spicy mayo (1 tbsp), or to taste
Pinch kosher salt (about 1 g)
Pinch black pepper (about 0.5 g)
1 avocado, sliced (about 150 g)
Optional: 5 g sesame seeds (1 tsp), pickled ginger, wasabi, 15 ml ginger soy glaze (1 tbsp)

Steps to Make Your Sushi Salad

Wash the cucumber well. Slice into thin rounds (about 2 mm thick) using a mandolin or sharp knife.
Add cucumber slices to a medium bowl with a tight-fitting lid.
Toss in chopped imitation crab, green onions, soy sauce, spicy mayo, salt, and pepper.
Secure the lid and gently shake to coat everything evenly.
Adjust soy sauce or spicy mayo to taste.
Serve in bowls, top with avocado, and garnish with sesame seeds, pickled ginger, wasabi, or ginger soy glaze if you like.

Cooking Tips for the Perfect Crunch

Cucumber prep matters. If you’ve got time, sprinkle cucumber slices with a little salt and let them sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry. This helps keep them extra crisp.
Avocado freshness hack: Slice the avocado just before serving to avoid browning.
Spice it up: A few drops of sriracha in your spicy mayo takes this salad from mild-mannered to sushi superstar.
Mix gently. You want your cucumbers to stay perky, not bruised.
Serving size: This recipe serves about two as a main or four as a side—double it for a potluck hit.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

This California Roll Cucumber Salad became my unofficial “house special” last summer. I first tried it after a friend sent me the viral TikTok recipe link, insisting it was “life-changing.” I was skeptical—life-changing salads aren’t exactly common—but one crunchy, creamy bite later, I was hooked.

Now, it’s my go-to when I want to impress guests without hovering over the stove. The best part? My kids, who are usually sushi-averse, devour it without complaint. The cucumbers make it refreshing, the crab adds that subtle seafood flavor, and the avocado gives it just the right amount of richness.

And every time I shake up the bowl, I think about how this dish is proof you don’t need fancy skills or hours in the kitchen to create something that feels special.

What to Serve with California Roll Cucumber Salad

This salad shines as a light lunch on its own, but it also plays well with others:

For a fuller meal: Pair it with miso soup and edamame for a Japanese-inspired spread.
For backyard parties: Serve alongside grilled shrimp skewers or teriyaki chicken.
For date night: Add a side of tempura veggies and a crisp white wine—instant sushi restaurant vibes at home.
For casual snacking: Scoop it up with seaweed snacks for a fun, handheld treat.

Because it’s so fresh and versatile, you can serve it chilled or at room temperature, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or “I-don’t-feel-like-cooking” evenings.

How to Store

If you have leftovers (lucky you), pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate. This salad is best eaten within 24 hours while the cucumbers are still crisp. After that, the avocado may brown and the cucumbers will soften—still tasty, just less crunchy.

For make-ahead prep, slice the cucumber and crab and store them separately from the sauce and avocado. Combine everything right before serving to keep it fresh.

Pro tip: Keep extra spicy mayo and soy sauce on hand to freshen up the flavor if it’s been in the fridge a few hours.

FAQs

Can I use real crab instead of imitation crab?

Absolutely! Just make sure it’s cooked and flaked.

Can I make this cucumber salad ahead of time?

You can prep the ingredients, but mix them just before serving for the best texture.

Is this a low carb recipe?

Yes! By skipping rice, this sushi salad is naturally low in carbs while still full of flavor.

What’s the best cucumber to use?

English cucumbers are ideal—they’re mild, crisp, and have thin skin you don’t need to peel.

This California Roll Cucumber Salad is everything you love about sushi—fresh flavors, creamy avocado, a touch of spice—without the fuss of rolling. It’s the perfect healthy salad for busy days, lazy nights, or when you just want something that tastes like summer in a bowl. And who knows—you might even inspire your friends to try the next viral TikTok recipe when they see you shaking up this beauty.

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