Vibrant Sushi-Inspired Salad (Printer-friendly)

A fresh mix of salmon or tuna with crisp greens and tangy soy-ginger dressing for a light meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 14 oz sushi-grade salmon or tuna, cut into ½-inch cubes

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)
03 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
04 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
05 - 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
06 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
07 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced

→ Greens & Salad Base

08 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, baby spinach, arugula)
09 - 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
10 - 1 large avocado, sliced
11 - 2 small carrots, julienned
12 - 1 cup cooked and cooled sushi or brown rice (optional)

→ Toppings

13 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
14 - 2 tbsp sliced scallions
15 - 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips
16 - Pickled ginger, to serve
17 - 1 small red chili, sliced (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, freshly grated ginger, honey, and minced garlic in a bowl.
02 - Toss the cubed salmon or tuna gently in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.
03 - Distribute mixed greens, cucumber slices, avocado, julienned carrots, and rice if using into individual serving bowls.
04 - Top the salad base with the marinated fish and drizzle any remaining marinade over it.
05 - Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions, nori strips, and add pickled ginger and sliced chili to taste.
06 - Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Raw fish means zero cooking anxiety—this is as forgiving as dinner gets.
  • It tastes expensive and restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than takeout.
  • Every bowl is customizable to exactly what you're craving on any given day.
02 -
  • The fish must be sushi-grade—there's no shortcut here, no substitute that will make a regular salmon work safely when it's raw.
  • Don't marinate the fish for more than 20 minutes or it will begin to cure and change texture in ways you didn't ask for.
  • Assemble everything else before the fish comes out of the fridge, because once it's ready, your window to serve it properly is a narrow and delicious one.
03 -
  • Buy the fish last and keep it on ice until the absolute moment you're ready to use it; quality deteriorates quickly once it's cut.
  • If nori isn't available where you live, a squeeze of lime and a pinch of sea salt will remind you of the ocean just as effectively.
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