California Roll Cucumber Salad (Print Version)

Fresh cucumbers, avocado, and crab in creamy Japanese-inspired dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad Components

01 - 2 English cucumbers, sliced into 1/8-inch thick rounds
02 - 1 cup crab meat or imitation crab, diced
03 - 1 avocado, cubed
04 - 1/4 cup chopped scallions (optional)
05 - 1/4 cup chopped radishes (optional)

→ Creamy Dressing

06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise, preferably Japanese mayonnaise
07 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened (optional)
08 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
09 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Slice cucumbers into 1/8-inch thick rounds using a mandolin slicer or sharp knife. Lightly salt the slices and place in a colander to drain for 15-20 minutes. Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained cucumber slices, diced crab meat, and cubed avocado. Add chopped scallions and radishes if using. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, cream cheese (if using), soy sauce, and half of the sesame seeds until smooth and well combined. Adjust mayonnaise and cream cheese quantities to achieve desired consistency and flavor intensity.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the cucumber mixture. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly, being careful not to mash the avocado.
05 - Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds. Serve immediately, or refrigerate briefly for a colder presentation. For enhanced flavor, consider adding wasabi or nori flakes as additional garnish.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes exactly like your favorite sushi roll but requires zero rolling skills or special equipment
  • The creamy dressing comes together in seconds and transforms simple vegetables into something crave-worthy
02 -
  • The salting step for cucumbers isn't optional unless you love watery salads. 15 minutes makes all the difference between crisp and mushy.
  • Real Japanese mayo (like Kewpie) has a completely different flavor profile than American brands. It's worth seeking out for this recipe.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline if you have one for those paper-thin cucumber slices. It makes such a difference in the final texture.
  • Letting the dressed salad sit for 5-10 minutes before serving allows the flavors to really develop and penetrate the cucumbers.
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