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Grilled salmon onigiri recipe served with miso soup and pickles

Grilled Salmon Onigiri Recipe: Crispy, Flavor-Packed Rice Balls You’ll Crave


  • Author: Callie Brooks
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 onigiri 1x

Description

This grilled salmon onigiri recipe blends bold, smoky flavors with traditional Japanese comfort. Perfect for lunchboxes, brunch, or anytime cravings.


Ingredients

Scale

1 cup Japanese short-grain rice

1 ¼ cups water

1 wild-caught salmon fillet (about 6 oz)

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp soy sauce

Salt to taste

Nori (seaweed sheets), cut into strips


Instructions

1. Rinse the rice under cold water until clear, then cook with 1¼ cups water.

2. Let rice rest 10 minutes after cooking.

3. Preheat grill or skillet to medium. Brush salmon with sesame oil and soy sauce, season with salt.

4. Grill salmon until golden and cooked through. Flake and remove skin/bones.

5. Wet hands, sprinkle with salt, and scoop rice into palm.

6. Press flaked salmon into the center, cover with more rice.

7. Shape into firm triangle. Wrap with nori strip.

8. Heat a skillet, lightly oil, and grill each side of onigiri 1–2 minutes until crisp.

Notes

Use tamari for gluten-free.

Store in fridge up to 3 days or freeze unwrapped.

Reheat in microwave or re-crisp in skillet.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Snack
  • Method: Grilling, Hand Shaped
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 onigiri
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 270mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 18mg