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Sushi is one of those foods I always say you should just order out. Leave it to the pros. But these sushi stacks take all the stress and fuss out of making sushi at home. With a base of seasoned sushi rice, a layer of nori, and spicy salmon baked together, this recipe gives you all the yummy sushi flavors – without any of the precision or pressure. Just some prep, then you bake, slice, and serve with my spicy soy sauce. Easy and so delicious.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but my brother Red loves sushi. He’s always asking me to make it, and I usually respond with one of two answers: let’s go out for sushi, or I’ll make you a spicy tuna bowl.
I’ve attempted traditional sushi exactly twice, and both times I wished I hadn’t started. It’s a little too tedious for me, and honestly, I really do believe sushi should be left to the pros. I am definitely not one of them.
I make spicy tuna bowls all the time, but raw, sushi-grade tuna can be surprisingly hard to find. So when Red and the rest of the family were all together over the holidays, I wanted something with major sushi vibes—just without all the stress.
These salmon sushi stacks are best served warm, which makes them even cozier and easier to pull off. They’re fun to eat, simple to make, and completely delicious. Everyone loved these stacks, especially topped with lots of spicy soy sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Such a great dinner for the whole family!
These are the details
Ingredients for the sushi bake
- cooked sushi rice
- rice vinegar
- granulated sugar
- sea salt
- salmon
- mayo
- hot sauce
- tamari/soy sauce
- toasted sesame oil
- freshly grated ginger
- green onions
- nori sheets
Spicy Soy Sauce Ingredients
- tamari/soy sauce
- chili paste
- toasted sesame oil
Ingredients for serving
- avocado
- toasted sesame seeds
- green onions
The Steps
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Preheat the oven. Cook the sushi rice according to package directions.
Step 2: Season and Layer the Rice
In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Add the mixture to the hot rice and gently toss to coat.
Press the seasoned rice evenly into a square baking dish. Lay the nori sheets over the rice, trimming as needed to fit.
Step 3: Mix and Bake the Salmon
In a bowl, combine the cubed salmon, mayonnaise, hot sauce, tamari (or soy sauce), toasted sesame oil, and green onions. Spoon the salmon mixture evenly over the nori.
Bake until the salmon is just cooked through and the edges are lightly golden.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Stir together the tamari (or soy sauce), chili paste, and toasted sesame oil in a small bowl. Add chili flakes for extra heat.
Serving
Cut the sushi stack into squares and serve warm. Top with avocado, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Drizzle generously with the spicy sauce.
Red was my ultimate taste tester for this one. He doesn’t usually love salmon, but he went back for seconds — with plenty of extra sauce. Honestly, we all did.
And the best part? This comes together easily on a weeknight, and the leftovers make the best lunch the next day.
Looking for other salmon recipes? Here are a few:
Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa
Parchment Baked Roasted Red Pepper Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Baked Chipotle Salmon Sushi Cups
Lastly, if you make these Easy Spicy Salmon Sushi Stacks, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Easy Spicy Salmon Sushi Stacks
Ingredients
- 2 cups sushi rice, cooked
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- sea salt
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon, cubed
- 1/3 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari/soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 4 sheets nori
- avocado, sesame seeds, and green onions, for serving
Spicy Soy Sauce
- 1/3 cup tamari/soy sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons chili paste
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the rice according to package directions.2. In a bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Stir into the warm rice. Spread and press the rice evenly into a square baking dish.3. Arrange the nori sheets evenly over the rice.4. In a bowl, mix together the salmon, mayonnaise, hot sauce, tamari (or soy sauce), sesame oil, ginger, and green onions. Spread the salmon mixture evenly over the rice. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown. Slice into squares.5. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients.6. Serve topped with avocado, sesame seeds, green onions, and the spicy soy sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Made this recipe and me and my kids LOVED it!! So simple and delicious!! Will be remaking!!
Hey Morgan,
I’m grateful you tried this recipe and took the time to comment. Delighted it turned out!
DELICIOUS!! Excellent recipe and will be on our regular rotation. Thank you!!
Hey Kristin,
I’m grateful you tried this recipe and took the time to comment. Delighted it turned out!
Such a yum easy weeknight dinner!
Definitely putting this one on repeat.
We already enjoy the chipotle salmon bowls regularly.
Happy to add this in the rotation.
Hey Stephanie,
Fantastic! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear it was a winner! Have a great Wednesday!
I’ll save my money and get actual sushi next time, this meal was not good
Sorry to hear this, Erica. thanks for the comment!
This was good and fun to try! I made the recipe as directed, we did not find it mushy (I am not sure why so many reviews say this.) but I did bake it 5 min longer than directed. The only thing I will change for next time is I’d like a bit more rice to salmon ratio. I used it as a birthday meal for my daughter & we all thought it was tasty I paired it with (purchased) spring rolls. I’ll add it to my recipe rotation for sure. Love a good salmon option! Thanks TG!
Hey Laura,
Love to hear this! Thanks for giving this recipe a try and your comment, so glad it was a hit! Happy Birthday to your daughter!
Made this tonight after seeing it on Instagram and it was SO good. Was hoping my toddler would eat it but he didn’t – but my husband and I loved it and I will absolutely be making it again. We made it with regular jasmine white rice (that we honestly messed up on) and it still was such a tasty recipe.
Hey Katy,
Thanks so much! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it! Have a great day!
Turned out perfectly!
Hey Brandee,
Love to hear this! Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!
This was nothing like sushi to me – bland, slimy and just overall not good.
Thanks for your feedback, Ally. Sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed! have a great week!
Tasted great! Not mushy at all. I did keep the salmon cubes big.
The Instagram video looked like you put down parchment paper..so I did. I wish the rice would have been a little crispier.
Thanks so much, Tricia!!
We really enjoyed the flavor in this recipe and will make it again. Our rice didn’t turn out so great but hopefully next time. Our nori wasn’t put inside, we kind of took bites along with the salmon. Just a little tweaking on our execution. Love your videos! ❤️
Thanks a bunch, Kelly! I appreciate you trying this sushi stack! Glad it was enjoyed!
Love this recipe so delicious.
Hey Shirley,
Happy Monday! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it was a hit!
Tastes just like sushi! The only change I made was to pour the sauce on top of the nori and put the salmon on top skin side up, so I could remove when done. No texture issues – just yummy taste. Another HBH winner!
Hey there,
Happy Monday! I appreciate you giving this recipe a try, so glad to hear it was a hit!
Save your money and ingredients, don’t make this recipe!
Very mushy & slimy! Horrible recipe.
Horrible.
Sorry to hear this, Tammy! Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with!
I read everyone’s reviews about this and the biggest complaint was that it was mushy…..so I didn’t put the seaweed in the bake. I put the rice on bottom and salmon mixture on top and baked per instructions. Then I scooped it out and placed on the seaweed sheets and rolled it like sushi. Everyone loved it!!!
Hey Lindsay,
Love to hear this! Thanks for giving this recipe a go, so glad it was enjoyed!
Have a great weekend!☃️
Everyone in my family did not like this. We ended up ordering pizza instead.
Thanks for trying this recipe, Erin. Sorry to hear it was not enjoyed!