When my son told me about a viral cucumber salad he saw on TikTok, I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sold. Cucumbers, crab, and spicy mayo? Sounded fine. But once we made it together? WOW. I completely get the hype now. This California Roll Cucumber Salad is fresh, flavorful, and downright addictive.
Inspired by his favorite sushi roll (the classic California roll), this low-carb salad is a fun twist on the viral TikTok cucumber bowl—and it’s incredibly easy to make. Just slice, shake, and drizzle!
🥒 Why You’ll Love It
- No cooking required – 10 minutes from start to finish
- Low-carb, high flavor
- Customizable with your favorite sushi toppings
- Perfect as a light lunch, snack, or side dish
- TikTok-approved and kid-tested
🥢 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 English cucumber – thinly sliced
- 8 oz imitation crab meat – chopped
- 3 green onions – sliced
- Soy sauce – to taste
- Spicy mayo – to taste
- Kosher salt & black pepper – just a pinch
- 1 avocado – sliced
Optional toppings:
Sesame seeds, pickled ginger, wasabi, ginger soy glaze (available at most grocery stores or on Amazon)
🥗 How to Make California Roll Cucumber Salad
1. Thinly slice the cucumber.
I used a mandolin for those super-thin slices, but a sharp knife works fine too. Place the cucumber slices into a bowl with a lid.
2. Add the flavor.
Toss in the chopped imitation crab and sliced green onions. Add a drizzle of soy sauce, a swirl of spicy mayo, and a light sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper.
3. Shake it up!
Pop the lid on the bowl and shake, shake, shake! (According to my son, the shaking is a very important step—it’s the TikTok way!)
4. Top and finish.
Lay fresh avocado slices over the top. Then drizzle with more spicy mayo, a bit of ginger soy glaze, and any other toppings you like—sesame seeds, pickled ginger, or even a touch of wasabi.
🥑 Final Thoughts
This salad is so fresh and satisfying, you’ll forget it’s actually pretty healthy! Whether you’re a sushi lover looking for a quick fix or just curious about viral food trends, this one is absolutely worth a try.
My son and I taste-tested it together, and we both gave it two thumbs up. I’m already brainstorming more creative cucumber salad spins to try next!
💡 Tips & Ideas
- Use real crab meat or shrimp if you want to level it up
- Want crunch? Add shredded carrots or thin sliced radish
- Serve chilled or enjoy right away for best texture
- Great for meal prep—just leave the avocado off until serving
📝 California Roll Cucumber Salad Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: ~183 per serving
Ingredients:
- 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 8 oz imitation crab meat, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- Soy sauce and spicy mayo, to taste
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 avocado, sliced
Optional: sesame seeds, pickled ginger, wasabi, ginger soy glaze
Instructions:
- Place the thinly sliced cucumber in a bowl with a lid.
- Add the chopped crab, green onions, soy sauce, spicy mayo, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cover and shake the bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Top with sliced avocado and optional garnishes. Serve immediately!