Quinoa Sushi Salad is perfect for sushi lovers. All the flavours of a California roll in a bowl. No precise cutting of veggies, no rolling. Chop, dress, serve!
A simple salad with all the sushi ingredients. Made without rice, using quinoa instead, adding a nutritional boost.
While you are cooking some quinoa, make extra for this delicious vegetarian burrito recipe.

If you love lazy cabbage rolls or unrolled egg rolls, this deconstructed sushi bowl recipe will be a hit for sure.
I love sushi rolls. I have made them at home, but hey, you know it takes time to master the art of making them look perfect. Takeout can also be expensive. Voila! This deconstructed sushi roll in a bowl is so much easier. Takes a fraction of the time and tastes delicious.
RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this sushi quinoa salad can be found at the bottom of this post.
Speaking of Japanese food, give these grilled shishito peppers a try. A fun and tasty appetizer that is sure to be the hit of any bbq party.
What’s In Quinoa Sushi Salad?
All the ingredients that are in California rolls (minus the rice):
- Quinoa
- Avocado
- Imitation crabmeat
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Bell peppers
- Soy Sauce
- Rice wine vinegar
- Sugar
- Seasonings
- Dried seaweed
Deconstructed Sushi Salad Is Easy To Make
This sushi salad bowl is made in about 20 minutes. Much less time than rolling. Full instructions are found in the recipe card below.
- Cook quinoa
- Make dressing
- Chop veggies
- Reconstitute seaweed
- Add dressing to cooked quinoa
- Add seasonings
- Toss in veggies
- Toss in seaweed
- Add crabmeat
- Combine and chill
- Place in serving bowls and garnish
This recipe makes a huge salad. Perfect for lunch or dinner.
Suggestions/Recipe Tips
Quinoa – I love using quinoa in recipes. It adds nutrition and is easy to cook. Check out these tasty recipes:
You can also use sushi rice, short-grain Calrose rice, and regular white or brown rice for this salad.
Imitation Crabmeat – is simple to use in recipes. It is precooked and ready to eat. You can also use canned crab, real crab meat (cooked), or canned tuna.
Togarashi Seasoning – a favourite blend in my kitchen. You can find it at specialty grocery stores. You can make your own blend using white and black sesame seeds and some heat from cayenne or sriracha seasoning. Adjust according to your taste.
Wakame – is an edible seaweed. You can find it in Asian markets or on Amazon. You can also use nori cut into strips.
Garnish – I used everything bagel seasoning in this recipe. You can use toasted sesame seeds, finely chopped green onion, pickled ginger, wasabi or seaweed salad.
Storage – always keep this covered in the fridge. It is best served cold. Leftovers will last 2-3 days. I do not recommend freezing leftovers.
Sushi FAQ
A staple in Japanese cuisine. Traditionally made with cooked sushi rice, raw vegetables, soy sauce dressing, raw and cooked seafood, and pickled ginger. It is always served cold.
Low in calories with no added fat it is considered a healthy meal.
Yes, that is where the imitation crab is used. California Roll, Philadelphia Roll, some Maki Rolls, and also Shrimp Tempura all have cooked fish.
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Need more deconstructed salad ideas? Give these a try:
Be sure to check out all the delicious salads to make.
Quinoa Sushi Salad
Ingredients
For Sushi Salad:
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat
- 4 ounces avocado
- 5 ounces cucumber
- 2 ounces bell pepper
- 2 ounces carrots peeled
- 2 tablespoons wakame dried seaweed
- 1 tablespoon Togarashi seasoning
- 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning for garnish
For Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Cook Quinoa:
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Once cooked, place in a large mixing bowl.1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water
Prepare Seaweed:
- Place the dried seaweed in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let sit about 5 minutes, drain, chop and set aside.2 tablespoons wakame dried seaweed
Make Dressing:
- Combine the dressing ingredients. Heat on the stovetop, or microwave until the sugar is melted. Set aside.3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar
Veggies and Crab:
- Dice all the veggies and set aside.4 ounces avocado, 5 ounces cucumber, 2 ounces bell pepper, 2 ounces carrots
- Chop the crabmeat.8 ounces imitation crab meat
Assembling the Salad:
- To the cooled quiona add the salad dressing and mix.
- Add the Togarashi seasoning and mix.1 tablespoon Togarashi seasoning
- Toss in the diced veggies and mix.
- Add in the reconsitiuted and chopped seaweed and crab meat, mix until combined. Place in fridge until ready to serve.
To Serve:
- Dish salad into serving bowls and garnish with everyting bagel seasoning.2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
Annie
I loved that this salad had all my favorite sushi flavors but with a healthier grain and without all the work!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
All the flavours and none of the work are the best kind of recipes. ENJOY!
Daniela
This was my first time making a Sushi Salad and I am hooked. Such a delicious and easy recipe. Loved it
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
All the flavours and none of the work right? This is the easiest way to enjoy sushi by far.
Luke
The perfect summer salad recipe; we love quinoa in our house; this will be getting made for a good BBQ side salad 🙂
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I agree, this sushi salad is the perfect bbq side salad.
Savita
This quinoa salad looks so healthy and delicious, summer approved!!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The perfect way to enjoy sushi in a salad.
Jacqui
Never thought about making sushi salad with quinoa before but I love the creativity of this!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Quinoa is the perfect substitute for rice in this delicious sushi salad.
Jessica
I knew as soon as saw this recipe that I had to try it because I much prefer quinoa over rice. I made it last not and I was not disappointed!! I just love how light, fresh, and flavorful it is. And the fact that it is so simple to prepare is definitely a plus!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I totally agree, this sushi salad is so much easier than making sushi rolls. All the flavours, none of the work.
Tavo
Very nice and fresh salad! It was perfect for today’s warm weather!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I will have to agree with you, this sushi salad bowl is the perfect lunch on a warm sunny day.
Amy
All the best parts of sushi in one delicious salad! Love the bagel seasoning as the final touch! Yum!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
The bagel seasoning works so well as a topping for this easy to make sushi salad.
Toni
This quickly became a favorite salad at my house! Thanks!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
It has become a favourite here as well. So gald you enjoyed this salad version of the classic California roll.
Cara
Love the flavors of this salad! Perfect for a weekday lunch.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
We love this sushi bowl for lunch or dinner. Glad you enjoyed it.
Jere Cassidy
Wonderful salad. I am always looking for ways to use quinoa. Love how easy your recipe is and it gave me a reason to use my Everything Bagel seasoning.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Everything bagel seasoning works great in this quinoa sushi salad. Hope you give it a try soon.
Kayla DiMaggio
Love this quinoa sushi salad! It was so easy and delicious!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it is so much easier making sushi salad over sushi rolls. ENJOY!
Jeri
I love sushi, and this quinoa sushi salad is perfect for me! All the flavors of a California roll in a healthy, easy-to-eat salad! Yum!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Easy to make, easy to eat….this sushi salad bowl ticks all the boxes.
Peter
I absolutely love this! Just like a Taco Salad is made in a bowl, this Sushi Salad in a bowl is a game changer for me! Perfect for a healthy dinner!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad you are thrilled with this sushi salad recipe. We loved it too. Now hubby wants sushi more often.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
Thanks for including me! Pinned/tweeted and yummed!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome, and thanks for the shares.