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A Philadelphia roll is a sushi roll filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese, crisp cucumber, and avocado. This homemade sushi roll has that creamy, smoky combination you get at a sushi restaurant, but it’s surprisingly easy to roll at home.
Using smoked salmon keeps things simple while still giving the roll plenty of rich salmon flavor. It’s a fun choice for sushi night, whether you’re making one roll or adding it to a larger spread.
For another homemade sushi option, try these black rice sushi rolls with colorful vegetables and nutty black rice.
Why You Will Like This Philadelphia Roll
Easy to customize: Add more cucumber for extra crunch, leave out the avocado, or adjust the amount of cream cheese to make the roll just how you like it.
No raw fish needed: Smoked salmon gives you plenty of salmon flavor without having to track down sushi-grade fish.
Easy enough for homemade sushi night: A Philadelphia roll is a good place to start if you’re new to rolling sushi because the filling is simple and easy to work with.
Restaurant-style sushi at home: Make a few rolls for dinner or serve them alongside other sushi favorites for a fun spread.
If you like the smoked salmon and cream cheese combination, try these smoked salmon pinwheels for another easy appetizer.
Ingredient Notes
Sushi rice: Use Japanese short-grain rice. Long-grain rice will not have the same sticky texture and will make the rolls harder to shape.
Rice vinegar, sugar, and salt: These season the rice after cooking. Fold the mixture in gently so the grains stay intact.
Nori: Place the shiny side down on the bamboo mat so the rougher side grips the rice.
Smoked salmon: Thin slices are easiest to arrange in the roll. If the pieces are wide, cut them into strips so they run the length of the filling.
Cream cheese: Use block-style cream cheese and slice it into long, thin strips. Tub-style cream cheese is softer and messier to roll.
Japanese cucumber: Cut the cucumber into thin strips so it fits neatly beside the salmon and cream cheese.
Avocado: Use avocado that is ripe but still firm enough to slice. Very soft avocado can smear into the rice as you roll.
For another restaurant-style favorite you can make at home, try this ahi tuna poke bowl.
Recipe Tips
Keep a bowl of water nearby: Wet hands make it much easier to spread the sushi rice without pulling it off the nori.
Do not overfill the roll: Too much salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, or avocado makes the roll harder to close and slice cleanly.
Use a sharp knife: Wipe the blade with a damp towel after each cut so the rice does not drag through the next slice.
Let the rice cool first: Warm rice can soften the nori and the cream cheese before you have a chance to roll.
Use gentle pressure: Press firmly enough to shape the roll, but not so hard that the filling squeezes out the sides.
Smoked Salmon vs Raw Salmon
Smoked salmon is a classic choice for Philadelphia rolls, pairing its smoky, salty flavor with rich cream cheese. Since it’s ready to eat, it also makes homemade sushi simple without the sourcing and handling considerations that come with raw salmon.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Philadelphia roll is an American-style sushi roll made with salmon and cream cheese, often with cucumber or avocado. Smoked salmon is commonly used, as it is in this recipe.
Sushi rice is supposed to be sticky. Lightly dampen your hands with water before handling it to keep the rice from sticking to your fingers.
Use a sharp knife and wipe or dampen the blade between cuts. Slice with a smooth motion rather than pressing down, which can squash the roll.
Philadelphia rolls are best assembled and eaten fresh. You can prepare the fillings ahead of time, but for the best texture, make the rice and assemble the rolls closer to serving.
Yes. You can roll sushi without a bamboo mat by using a sheet of plastic wrap or parchment paper to help shape and tighten the roll.
Smoked Salmon Philadelphia Roll
This smoked salmon Philadelphia roll is creamy, crisp, and easy to customize once the rice is ready. Keep the filling strips narrow, roll with steady pressure, and slice with a clean knife for the best-looking pieces. Serve Japanese cucumber salad for an easy sushi-night side.
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Philadelphia Rolls
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Ingredients
Sushi rice:
- 2 cups Sushi Rice, (Japanese short-grain rice); uncooked
- 2 cups water
- 6 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Rolls:
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice from above, see below
- 4 sheets Sushi Nori, dried seaweed sheets
- 5 ounces smoked salmon
- 4 to 5 ounces cream cheese, sliced into long thin strips
- 1 Japanese cucumber, sliced into long thin strips
- ½ avocado, sliced into long thin strips
Instructions
For the sushi rice:
- Rinse the rice grains in cool water until the water is clear. Place the rice and the 2 cups of water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
- When the water starts to boil, turn the heat to low and put the lid on. Cook, covered for 15 minutes. Then remove it from the heat and let it sit, still covered for 10 more minutes. Let the rice cool down.
- While the rice is cooling, place the vinegar, sugar and salt in a saucepan or microwaveable bowl and heat until the sugar is dissolved.
- Place the rice in a wooden or glass bowl. Slowly pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and fold/stir until the rice is coated with the vinegar. Use a slicing and folding motion to separate the grains and ensure they get completely coated.
- Keep the rice covered with a damp towel until you are ready to make your sushi rolls.
For the Philly rolls:
- Once the sushi rice is ready, set all the ingredients out on your counter.
- Place a seaweed sheet (shiny side down) on a bamboo mat.
- Cover the seaweed sheet with the sushi rice.
- Arrange the smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, and avocado slices on top of the rice.
- Use the bamboo sheet to lift and roll the sheet. Press down as you roll the sheet up so it stays compressed tightly.
- Slice the roll into six to eight pieces. It is helpful to have a wet towel nearby to wipe the knife blade with after each slice.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Wow! These Salmon Rolls look amazing! I need to make sushi rolls at home for sure! Pinned!
Thanks Shanika, I hope you have as much fun with this as we do.
These look delicious!
Thanks Jillian
wow I enjoy sushi a lot but have never dare to make it at home I think it is time to get adventurous and start practicing my sushi skills =)
Absolutely Adriana, it really isn’t hard at all.
Holy moly! These rolls look amazing! I only wish I were brave enough to try making sushi!
Emily, it really isn’t difficult, you would be surprised how easy and fun it is to do.
I would eat all of these Philly rolls so quickly! They look delicious. I’ve never tried to make my own sushi rolls before, but I love your video and the instructions are so detailed. I need to give it a try.
We would love to hear back from you if you make them. They are super fun 🙂