California Roll Cucumber Salad - Girl Carnivore %

Craving California roll flavors without the rice or rolling skills? Same. So, we’re taking on the viral TikTok trend and showing you how to make it at home, without having to hit pause 19 times to understand what’s going on. This totally delivers all those familiar tastes in a fresh, light dish that’s perfect for summer or whenever you wanna keep it low-carb.

We’ve deconstructed the beloved California roll into an easy salad that’s perfect for hot summer days or when you want sushi flavors without the technique. Crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and flaky crab come together with a sesame-soy dressing that hits all the right notes. We make this constantly during cucumber season because it’s fresh, light, and satisfies that sushi craving in minutes.

🔪 What You’ll Need

Ingredients

English cucumber – thinly sliced; sweating optional for extra crunch
Imitation crab – flaked; or sub shrimp, chicken, or tofu
Avocado – ripe, diced; add last to keep chunks intact
Cream cheese – softened to mix smoothly
Green onion – thinly sliced
Kewpie mayonnaise – tangy umami flavor; or sub regular mayo + vinegar + sugar
Soy sauce – low sodium preferred
Rice vinegar – adds acidity
Sesame seeds – white, black, or a mix
Toasted sesame oil – nutty depth

Garnish

Extra sesame seeds
Sliced green onions

Tools

Mandoline or sharp knife
Cutting board
Jar with tight-fitting lid
Measuring cups & spoons
Colander (optional, for sweating cucumbers)

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Cucumber
Wash and dry the cucumber. Slice into 1/8-inch rounds using a mandoline or sharp knife.

Optional: Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt, and let sit 10–15 minutes. Pat dry.

2. Mix the Salad
In a mixing container or jar, combine cucumber, imitation crab, cream cheese, green onion, mayo, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and sesame oil.

3. Shake or Stir
Seal with a tight lid and shake vigorously until well mixed. For neater avocado pieces, fold in avocado last with a spoon.

4. Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onion. Serve immediately.

💡 Meat Nerd Tips

Sweat the cucumbers to reduce water and keep the salad crisp
Use Kewpie mayo for signature sushi roll flavor
Toast sesame seeds to deepen nutty notes
Fold in avocado last to keep it from mashing

🔁 Ingredient Swaps

No crab? Try shrimp, chicken, or tofu
No Kewpie? Sub mayo + splash of rice vinegar + pinch of sugar
No green onion? Use chives or red onion

Plate and bowl of creamy cucumber salad with crab sticks, topped with sesame seeds and green onions; chopsticks, cucumber slices, seasoning, and a glass of ice water nearby on a marble surface.

🍽️ What to Serve With

Edamame or seaweed salad
Miso soup or gyoza
As a side with grilled fish
Over rice or greens for a quick poke bowl

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Best Fresh: Serve immediately for optimal texture
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 24 hours. The cucumbers will soften, and the avocado may brown, so really, this tastes best made fresh every time.

Have you tried this recipe? Do us a favor and rate the recipe card with the ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ and drop a comment to help out the next reader.

Want California roll flavors without the carbs or complexity? We’ve got you. This cucumber salad is everything you love about the classic roll in a fresh, easy-to-make dish. Plus, it’s our shake-and-serve method that makes this foolproof.

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jar or container with a tight-fitting lid
Knife or Mandoline slicer
cutting board
Colander, for optional sweating of the cucumber
Measuring cups and spoons

For the California Roll Cucumber Salad:

Wash and dry your cucumber. Using a knife or a mandoline, slice it into thin rounds (about 1/8-inch thick).
Optional Cucumber Sweating: Place the cucumber slices in a colander. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt and toss. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess water.
Add all ingredients to your jar or container..
Seal the lid tightly. Shake the container vigorously for 15-30 seconds until everything is well-mixed and coated in a creamy dressing.
Pour the salad into a serving bowl or plate. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.