Salmon onigiri is a great way to turn your leftover salmon into a flavorful meal or snack. While you don’t see onigiri much in the West, it’s widely popular throughout Japan. As it doesn’t take much salmon and is quick to prepare, salmon onigiri is definitely worth a try!
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What is Salmon Onigiri
Onigiri, or Japanese rice balls, consists of rice that’s formed into the shape of a triangle and wrapped in a strip of nori (seaweed). Most onigiri contains a filling or has a filling or seasoning mixed into the rice. However, like sandwiches in the West, onigiri fillings and preparation methods can vary widely.
Salmon onigiri uses shredded salmon as its signature flavor. The salmon is incorporated into the onigiri by either adding it as a filling or mixing it in with the rice. Both ways are popular and delicious.
Check out another onigiri recipe that uses furikake seasoning here: Furikake Onigiri: Prepared Two Different Ways.
How to Make Salmon Onigiri
In this recipe, I used leftover Japanese salted salmon (shiozake), which makes for drier and salter onigiri. However, you can make it with salmon prepared in any style. You can also mix the salmon with a little Japanese mayo if you want to moisten it up a bit.
Below are instructions on how to prepare salmon onigiri using two different styles:
Preparation Method 1:
1. Cook the rice per the instructions on your rice package.
2. Once the rice is done cooking, cut the nori sheet into three evenly sized strips. Then cut one strip in half and place it aside until needed. Be sure to use high quality, fresh nori so it will be nice and crispy.
3. Remove the skin from your salmon and use a fork or your fingers to shred it into a small mixing bowl.
4. When you’re ready to assemble the onigiri, wet your hands and rub a little bit of salt on them prior to handling the rice. This helps to season the rice and keep it from sticking to your hands.
5. Then take a handful of rice into your hand and flatten it slightly, making a small well in the middle for the filling.
6. Add a spoonful of shredded salmon to the well in the middle of the rice and cover with another small handful of rice.
7. Then form the salmon rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers (see video for more detail). Most beginners tend to press too hard when shaping the rice. Instead, you want to gently use your hands to form the rice into a triangle shape.
8. Next, wrap a strip of nori around the onigiri and press together where the nori strips overlap. Wetting the nori slightly where it overlaps helps it to stick better.
9. Serve and enjoy!
Preparation Method 2:
1. Another way to prepare salmon onigiri is to mix the shredded salmon into the rice before forming the onigiri instead of adding the salmon as a filling.
2. Once the salmon is mixed into the rice, form the salmon and rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers.
3. You can either use an entire strip of nori to wrap the onigiri like we did earlier or wrap a half strip of the nori around the bottom center of the salmon onigiri (see pictures and video for a demonstration). Both ways are delicious!
4. Serve and enjoy!
Salmon Onigiri Recipe
Salmon Onigiri Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Rice cooker or pot for cooking rice
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Cooked Short Grain Rice
- 4 oz. Cooked Salmon
- 1 Nori Sheet
- 1 Tbsp. Salt
Instructions
Preparation Method 1:
- Cook the rice per the instructions on your rice package.
- Once the rice is done cooking, cut the nori sheet into three evenly sized strips. Then cut one strip in half and place it aside until needed. Be sure to use high quality, fresh nori so it will be nice and crispy.
- Remove the skin from your salmon and use a fork or your fingers to shred it into a small mixing bowl.
- When you're ready to assemble the onigiri, wet your hands and rub a little bit of salt on them prior to handling the rice. This helps to season the rice and keep it from sticking to your hands.
- Then take a handful of rice into your hand and flatten it slightly, making a small well in the middle for the filling.
- Add a spoonful of shredded salmon to the well in the middle of the rice and cover with another small handful of rice.
- Then form the salmon rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers (see video for more detail). Most beginners tend to press too hard when shaping the rice. Instead, you want to gently use your hands to form the rice into a triangle shape.
- Next, wrap a strip of nori around the onigiri and press together where the nori strips overlap. Wetting the nori slightly where it overlaps helps it to stick better.
- Serve and enjoy!
Preparation Method 2:
- Another way to prepare salmon onigiri is to mix the shredded salmon into the rice before forming the onigiri instead of adding the salmon as a filling.
- Once the salmon is mixed into the rice, form the salmon and rice into a triangle shape by cupping your hands and gently pressing the rice with your palm and fingers.
- You can either use an entire strip of nori to wrap the onigiri like we did earlier or wrap a half strip of the nori around the bottom center of the salmon onigiri (see pictures and video for a demonstration). Both ways are delicious!
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salmon Onigiri Gluten-Free?
Yes. All ingredients in salmon onigiri are naturally gluten-free.
Is Salmon Onigiri Healthy?
While salmon is very healthy for you, the primary ingredient of onigiri is short grained white rice, which is higher in calories with lower nutritional benefits. As such, salmon onigiri is a snack or meal to enjoy in moderation.
Final Thoughts on Salmon Onigiri
Onigiri is a quick and fun way to introduce authentic Japanese foods into your household. I encourage you to experiment with different preparation techniques to find out which onigiri is right for you. Happy cooking!
Check out the following links for more recipes:
Rutabaga: What it is and How to Prepare It
Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
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