Crispy Rice Salmon Stack (Print Version)

Golden crispy rice layered with seasoned salmon, creamy avocado, and spicy mayo for a fusion delight.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup uncooked sushi rice
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Crispy Rice

06 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

→ Salmon

07 - 7 ounces sushi-grade salmon, finely diced
08 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

→ Toppings & Assembly

13 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced or mashed
14 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
15 - 1 teaspoon sriracha
16 - 1 tablespoon black or white sesame seeds
17 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives (optional)
18 - 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until clear. Combine rice and water in saucepan; bring to boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Gently fold mixture into cooked rice. Allow rice to cool to room temperature.
03 - Press cooled rice into a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan to 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
04 - Combine diced salmon, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, lime juice, and green onion in a bowl. Mix gently and chill until assembly.
05 - Stir together mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl; set aside.
06 - Remove rice from pan and cut into 2-inch squares. Heat vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry rice squares 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
07 - Top each crispy rice square with avocado, spoonful of salmon mixture, drizzle of spicy mayo, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, chives, and nori strips as desired.
08 - Serve immediately while rice is warm and crispy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels restaurant-quality but comes together faster than ordering delivery.
  • The contrast between crispy rice and soft salmon is genuinely addictive.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes when guests arrive.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step; unrinsed rice will gum up and refuse to crisp no matter how hot your pan gets.
  • The rice block must be properly chilled before frying, or it'll fall apart in the skillet and turn into a broken mess.
  • Assemble each stack only when you're ready to serve, because once the warm rice meets the cold toppings, the clock starts ticking.
03 -
  • If you can't find sushi rice, short-grain Japanese rice works in a pinch, but it won't have quite the same slight sweetness or stickiness.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before using them—the difference in flavor is remarkable and takes barely any time.
  • Leftover crispy rice squares reheat beautifully in a 350°F oven for five minutes; the toppings should always be added fresh though.
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