Avocado Salmon Rolls
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These delicious, bite-sized salmon-avocado rolls will be a hit at your next gathering. They have a secret ingredient that’s highly refreshing and blends seamlessly with the luscious smoked salmon, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber. Your guests will be so impressed!
One reader says, “A+++ These are soo good. Absolutely delicious. I didn’t have the special zatziki so I subbed cream cheese. I’ll try the zatziki for sure. I made a ponzu sauce for dipping. Everyone raved about them. And they disappeared fast. Thank you for an easy and wonderful recipe…. the sesame seeds really make them special. ★★★★★”
These bite-sized salmon avocado rolls are always a hit whenever I serve them. They’re fresh, elegant, and packed with flavor, making them perfect for entertaining without feeling fussy.
The not-so-secret ingredient (tzatziki!) adds a bright, refreshing note that ties everything together beautifully. Paired with silky smoked salmon, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, each bite feels balanced and special — and they never fail to impress.
Using tzatziki in sushi rolls
Tzatziki might not be on the top of your list when you think of sushi ingredients, but my salmon avocado roll recipe might just change your mind! Let me explain myself:
- Refreshing: Tzatziki is made with cucumber and lemon juice, so it’s fresh and bright! It complements and balances the richness of the salmon and avocado. Lemon is a traditional garnish for fish, so this is just an extension of that, right?
- Creaminess: The tzatziki melds right into the roll, with the tender salmon and creamy avocado. They all gel together beautifully.
- Gluten-free: This recipe skips the sushi rice, so the tzatziki is a flavorful way to keep it gluten-free.
- Max flavor, minimal effort: Using tzatziki here also keeps things simple and breezy! I love this little time-saver hack for when I’m entertaining.
Why you’ll fall in love with these avocado salmon rolls
When I’m entertaining guests, I have a strict criteria for the nibblies I serve up. I want appies that are bite-sized, a breeze to whip up, and downright delicious. These avocado and salmon rolls tick all of my boxes! They are super impressive to look at, heavenly to taste, and they take just 15 minutes of prep time. I like serving them beside little bowls of ponzu sauce for dipping. You can also add a little bowl of sriracha, soy sauce, wasabi, or ginger.
These tzatziki salmon avocado rolls will steal your heart, too:
- Velvety salmon: Smoked salmon (aka lox) is one of those ingredients that elevates everything it touches! It’s elegant, delicious, and so flavorful. Tender, salty, smoky – it’s pure perfection.
- Refreshing: I love a lighter appie, and with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber slices, chives, and tangy, extra thick tzatziki, these salmon avocado rolls are as refreshing as they are tasty. Finish it off with a sprinkling of sesame seeds!
- Aesthetics: Yes, this is a serious reason why you’ll love this. Everyone is going to ooh and aaaah when you bring them out.
How to serve salmon avocado rolls
I like serving the salmon avocado rolls on a slice of cucumber for easy handling. To make them look pretty, add a sprinkling of sesame seeds and chives to garnish. They taste great as they are, but you can also serve them with a dipping sauce for added flavor. Soy sauce is a simple solution, or try them with my homemade ponzu sauce. Mix chili flakes or chili oil into your soy sauce for a spicy salmon roll.
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for here, you can ask it in the comments below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Can I make these salmon avocado rolls ahead of time?
You can! I’d suggest making these up to 4 hours before the party and slicing them just before serving. The main thing to consider here is the avocado—it browns when exposed to oxygen, so be sure to roll it tightly so the air doesn’t reach it when you pop it in the fridge.
Can I store leftover avocado and salmon rolls?
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge. Be sure to wrap them tightly in wax paper, then refrigerate them for a day or two.
How do I slice the salmon avocado rolls?
Pop the wrapped roll in the fridge to chill before slicing; it slices more easily when chilled. You’ll want to use a sharp knife and apply even, gentle pressure; a dull blade will squash your roll. Clean the knife between slices to remove any residue.
Do I need a bamboo mat?
I don’t use one to roll my salmon avocado rolls—I place plastic wrap on my counter, lay out the ingredients, and use it to wrap everything together. But if you have a bamboo mat, go ahead and use it!
What salmon do I need for salmon avocado rolls?
I use cold-smoked salmon (lox) for these salmon sushi rolls – you can usually grab these from the grocery store in the fresh or frozen seafood section. They are sold in flat packages.
Watch how to make this recipe
Tzatziki Avocado Salmon Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- 2 tablespoons tzatziki (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons minced chives (divided – plus extra whole chives to garnish)
- Juice from ¼ lime
- ½ ripe avocado (peeled and sliced)
- 5 oz (150 grams) cold smoked salmon (lox)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (I like a mix of white and black)
Instructions
- Cut 12 rounds of the cucumber – for the salmon rolls to sit on when serving. With the remaining cucumber, cut it into 8 thin strips and remove the seeds.1 English cucumber
- In a small bowl, mix together the tzatziki, 1 teaspoon of the minced chives, and the lime juice. See note 1.2 tablespoons tzatziki, Juice from ¼ lime
- Lay a piece of plastic wrap (about 16 inches long) on your table. Place the smoked salmon on top of the plastic, overlapping the pieces to make a 12″ x 7″ rectangle. Pat them down gently so they stick together.5 oz (150 grams) cold smoked salmon
- Spread the tzatziki over the salmon. Lay the avocado slices down the center of the salmon, top with the cucumber strips, and sprinkle the remaining chives over the top.½ ripe avocado
- Using the plastic to help you, roll the salmon tightly then sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top.2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- Put the salmon rolls into your refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to make slicing it easier.
- Slice the salmon roll into 12 pieces, place them on cucumber slices, and top with 2 small chives on each.
Notes
Nutrition
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Fantastic
Minunată și dietetică!
This did not work at all for me. I followed the directions exactly, but when I tried to cut the salmon into rolls, it just squished the whole thing and looked terrible. Taste was average.
They can be a little tricky to cut, especially if you skipped the optional step of putting them into the fridge for a bit.
Can I use sashimi grade salmon instead of smoked?
It would change the flavor of the recipe, but it could still be quite good. You’ll want to slice it super thin so I suggest cutting the salmon when it is still partly frozen as it will be easier to slice thin.
Where do we buy Tzatziki? Looks great but I’ve never seen this product! Thank you!
It’s sold in the deli section at grocery stores. 🙂
These are so good!! Yummyyyyyyy!!!!
I’m so happy to hear that the recipe as a hit!
This may be a silly question but…. The smoked salmon, is it cooked or raw? I love salmon but I am new to cooking fish…… I usually only have it when I am out….. Thank you!!
Smoked salmon (salmon lox) is curred salmon. Here’s an example of what to look for in the grocery store. But it’s much less expensive in a grocery store. 🙂
Can you freeze these?
I haven’t tried freezing it so I’m not sure.
A+++ These are soo good. Absolutely delicious. I didn’t have the special zatziki so I subbed cream cheese. I’ll try the zatziki for sure. I made a ponzu sauce for dipping. Everyone raved about them. And they disappeared fast.
Thank you for an easy and wonderful recipe…. the sesame seeds really make them special.
I’m so happy to hear the recipe turned out well!
Can leftovers be refrigerated for a couple days
They will be safe to eat for a couple of days but they won’t look as pretty. I’ve eaten the leftovers the next day, but I wouldn’t make them ahead that far to serve to guests. 🙂
So what is drizzled over them? there is no mention of what this is..
Literally making them right now- so if you can let me know I would appreciate it.
Having a very hard time rolling it up..
There’s nothing drizzled, just the sesame seeds you add before you roll them. They are a touch tricky, especially if they’re warm. If you’re having trouble, make sure to pop them into your fridge to chill them first. 🙂