Ingredients
Sushi Rice
- 1 cup sushi rice or short grain rice
 - 1 1/2 cups water
 - 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
 - 1 tbsp sugar
 - 1 tsp salt
 
Spicy Baked Salmon
- 1-1.5 lbs salmon fillet
 - Salt & pepper, to taste
 - 2 tbsp coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
 - 1 tsp honey
 - 1 clove garlic, crushed
 - 2 scallions, chopped
 - 2 tbsp spicy mayo
 - 2 tbsp cream cheese
 
Homemade Spicy Mayo
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
 - 1/3 cup sriracha
 - 1 tsp sesame oil
 
Toppings
- Eel sauce (unagi sauce), or other sweet sauce like teriyaki
 - Furikake (savory Japanese rice seasoning) or crushed seaweed snacks
 - Sesame seeds
 - Chopped scallions
 - Sliced jalapeños
 - Sliced avocado
 
Instructions
- Prepare the Sushi Rice: Rinse the sushi rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rice and water to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and season with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside to cool slightly.
 - Season and Bake the Salmon: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Season the salmon fillet with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix coconut aminos (or soy sauce), honey, and crushed garlic. Rub this mixture evenly over the salmon. Place the salmon on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, depending on thickness, until cooked through.
 - Prepare the Spicy Salmon Mixture: Once salmon is baked, remove the skin and flake the salmon into a mixing bowl. Add chopped scallions, cream cheese, and 2 tablespoons of spicy mayo. Mix well until evenly combined.
 - Assemble the Sushi Bake: Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Spread the prepared sushi rice evenly into a 9×9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle furikake seasoning or crushed seaweed snacks over the rice layer.
 - Layer Salmon Mixture: Spread the spicy salmon mixture evenly over the rice. Drizzle sweet sauce (eel or teriyaki) and additional spicy mayo on top of the salmon layer.
 - Bake and Broil: Bake the assembled dish for 10 minutes at 400°F. Then, set your oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until the top is slightly browned and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
 - Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with sesame seeds, extra sauces, sliced avocado, chopped scallions, and sliced jalapeños as desired. Serve warm and enjoy.
 - Make Ahead Tip: If preparing in advance, layer the cooked rice and salmon mixture in the baking dish and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake and broil as directed to freshen up the dish.
 
Notes
- You can substitute coconut aminos for soy sauce to reduce sodium and add a slightly sweeter flavor.
 - Adjust the amount of sriracha in the spicy mayo to control the heat level.
 - Use cream cheese to add creaminess and balance spice, but it can be omitted for a lighter version.
 - Furikake can be found at Asian grocery stores or substituted with crushed seaweed snacks for similar flavor.
 - Broil with care to avoid burning the top of the bake.
 - This dish can be prepared a few hours in advance; just bake before serving for best texture.
 
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
 - Cook Time: 30 minutes
 - Category: Main Course
 - Method: Baking
 - Cuisine: Japanese