Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll Ups with Citrus Soy Sauce

A fun spin on a classic sushi roll! These easy salmon roll ups are filled with lemony cream cheese, creamy avocado & fresh cucumber slices then rolled in everything but the bagel seasoning!

Raise your hand if you LOVE sushi… Then you’ve got to try these easy smoked salmon sushi roll ups asap! I’m a huge sushi fan and have always wanted to try making my own rolls at home. But honestly, everytime I’m about to I just start thinking about all the ingredients I’ll need, the equipment (ie. that little bamboo thingy) and don’t even get me started on the price of sushi grade fish… That’s when I get the thought that “Maybe I’ll just go out instead…”😉 But now I don’t have to after discovering this simple recipe! These rolls are made with simple (and cheap) ingredients, take no time at all to make AND literally taste like a philadelphia roll from your favorite sushi place! (Just minus the rice.) Who can say no to that right?!

Ingredients for these salmon sushi rolls

• Smoked salmon: Adds a sweet smokiness to your rolls that pairs so well with the rest of your flavors! (A lot of people also associate smoked salmon with lox but THEY ARE DIFFERENT! Smoked salmon is usually sweeter while lox is more on the salty side. Depending on which one your prefer, you can use either for this recipe.)
• Whipped cream cheese: It’s more airy than regular cream cheese so it helps to lighten up your rolls.
• Cucumbers: Adds freshness and a little bit of crunch! (You can use regular or Persian cucumbers for this recipe.)
• Avocado: Adds even more creaminess to your rolls and some healthy fats too! (Look for avocados that give slightly when you squeeze them – this means they’re ripe!)
• Fresh lemons: Brings out all the flavors of your dish! (Look for lemons with a good rind and no wrinkly spots. We’re using the juice and zest for this recipe so don’t use old lemons!)
• Green onion: Compliments your flavors and pairs so well with your cream cheese. (You can also use chives instead too!)
• Everything But the Bagel seasoning (EBTB): It’s slightly salty and nutty which really takes your rolls up a notch! (You can usually find this seasoning in the spice section at most grocery stores. Don’t like EBTB? Just use white and black sesame seeds instead.)
• Citrus soy sauce: The perfect accompaniment to your homemade sushi! (Besides every sushi roll needs some type of soy sauce right?!)

How to make smoked salmon sushi roll ups

1. Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter and sprinkle it with EBTB seasoning.
2. Next layer your smoked salmon pieces over the seasoning to form a small rectangle. (Make sure to overlap your salmon slices a little bit.)
3. Next mix your cream cheese, green onion, lemon juice and lemon zest together and spread it over the salmon. Place your sliced avocado and cucumber strips in the center of the rectangle. Very carefully, use the plastic wrap to help roll the salmon over your avocado and cucumber and continue rolling until you reach the other side.
4. Place your salmon roll in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up slightly. (This will also make it easier to cut too!) Once you’re ready to eat, take the roll out of the freezer, slice it and serve immediately with your soy sauce.

Tips for making smoked salmon sushi roll ups

• Keep your filling ingredients small & thin! It’s much easier to roll this way and you’ll get a little bit of everything in every bite. (I’d suggest keeping them between ¼ – ½ inch thick.)
• Don’t overfill your rolls! They’ll be too hard to roll and won’t stick together otherwise.
• Overlap your salmon pieces! No one wants their filling oozing out!
• Always freeze before slicing! Even freezing it for just a few minutes will make cutting much easier!

Why you’ll love this salmon “sushi” recipe

• No sushi grade salmon required! Sushi grade fish can be VERY expensive. This is a much cheaper way to get your sushi fix in!
• Perfect for a light meal or snack! Whipped cream cheese, fresh avocado & cucumber… There’s nothing heavy about this dish!
• Easier to make than real sushi! Let’s face it, homemade sushi just sounds so daunting… But with this version, now you can make it at home without all the hassle or equipment!

Need it gluten free? Great news, it already is!

Need it dairy free? Swap in your favorite dairy free cream cheese instead!

More recipes you might like:

• Baked Sugar Spiced Salmon
• Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon Dijon Sauce
• Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa
• Oven Baked Maple BBQ Salmon

[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my social media @kalefornia_kravings – I love seeing what you create!]

Print Recipe Pin It!

5 from 3 votes

Smoked Salmon Sushi Roll Ups with Citrus Soy Sauce

Smoked salmon slices are filled with lemony cream cheese, creamy avocado and crisp cucumber and then rolled in EBTB seasoning! They're light, refreshing and perfect for a quick meal or appetizer! And so much fun too!

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: Asian, Easy, Gluten free

Keyword: bites, dipping sauce, easy, gluten free, healthy, lemon-soy, roll, roll ups, smoked salmon, sushi

Servings: 2 servings

Author: Caitlin

Ingredients

For the salmon rolls:

• 8 oz smoked salmon
• ½ cup whipped cream cheese*
• 2 Tbsp green onion, finely chopped
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ⅓ of a cucumber, sliced into thin strips
• ½ of an avocado, sliced into thin strips
• 1 Tbsp everything but the bagel seasoning (EBTB)

For the citrus soy sauce:

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp water
• 1½ tsp mirin
• 1 Tbsp green onion, sliced thin

Instructions

To make the soy sauce:

• Stir the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and place it in the fridge while you prepare your salmon rolls.

To make the salmon rolls:

• Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter and sprinkle it with your EBTB seasoning. Then layer your smoked salmon pieces over the seasoning to form a small rectangle. (Make sure to slightly overlap your salmon slices.)
• Next, mix your cream cheese, green onion, lemon juice and lemon zest together and spread it over the salmon. Then place your sliced avocado and cucumber strips in the center of the rectangle. Very carefully, use the plastic wrap to help roll the salmon over your avocado and cucumber and continue rolling until you reach the other side. Place your salmon roll in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up slightly. (This makes it much easier to cut!)
• When ready, take the roll out of the freezer, slice it and serve immediately with your soy sauce.