Elegant Smoked Salmon Inari Sushi: With a Zesty Tartar Sauce
Easy Smoked Salmon Inari Sushi Recipe & Homemade Tartar Sauce – Perfect for Lunch Boxes!
Meet the delightful combination of zesty and creamy homemade tartar sauce with the rich flavor of smoked salmon! Filling moist seasoned fried tofu pouches with sushi rice and topping them generously with smoked salmon and tartar sauce is a feast for the eyes and the palate. We highly recommend this dish for special occasions, a satisfying meal, or as a thoughtful lunch box option. The smoky aroma will fill your mouth, delivering a pleasant and inviting flavor.
Inari Sushi Ingredients
- 200g smoked salmon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 420g warm cooked rice (about 2 servings)
- 20 square fried tofu pouches (inari pouches)
- 1 packet of store-bought Inari sushi seasoning (includes seasoned vinegar and dried vegetables)
- 60g onion (about 1/4 small onion, finely minced)
Tartar Sauce Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp honey (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp dill pickles (finely chopped)
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp honey (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp dill pickles (finely chopped)
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
We’ll be using the seasoned vinegar and dried vegetable mix that comes with the store-bought square inari sushi kits. This makes cooking convenient without needing to prepare these separately.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine 420g (about 2 servings) of warm cooked rice with the dried vegetable mix and seasoned vinegar from the kit. Gently mix with a spatula, being careful not to mash the rice grains, to create sushi rice. Allow the sushi rice to cool slightly; if it’s too hot, the tofu pouches can become soggy.
Step 3
Lightly blanch the inari sushi tofu pouches in boiling water, or gently squeeze out excess liquid according to the package instructions. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can tear the pouches; a gentle squeeze is key.
Step 4
Finely mince 60g of onion. Mincing it very small ensures a pleasant texture in the tartar sauce without large pieces. (Optional: If you enjoy the slight bite of fresh onion, you can add about 1 Tbsp more).
Step 5
Chop the 200g of smoked salmon into small, bite-sized pieces. Cutting them too large will make them disproportionate to the inari sushi when served.
Step 6
For the tartar sauce, in a mixing bowl, combine 2 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp plain yogurt, 1 Tbsp honey (adjust sweetness to your preference), 1 Tbsp finely chopped dill pickles, and 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice. Add a pinch of black pepper. (Tip: You can substitute corn syrup for honey. If you are not adding separate minced onion, you can also add 1 Tbsp minced onion at this stage).
Step 7
Mix all the sauce ingredients thoroughly until well combined, creating a delicious homemade tartar sauce. Ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 8
When filling the inari pouches with the cooled sushi rice, dipping a teaspoon in water before scooping will prevent the rice from sticking to the spoon or spatula, making the process much easier. Gently scoop and fill without packing too tightly.
Step 9
Fill each inari pouch with sushi rice, about 80-90% full. Overfilling can cause the shape to become distorted, so aim for a moderate amount.
Step 10
And just like that, you have some adorable inari sushi ready. Now it’s time to add the wonderful topping!
Step 11
To the chopped smoked salmon and minced onion, add about 3-4 tablespoons of the prepared tartar sauce. (Adjust the amount of sauce to your taste).
Step 12
Gently toss the salmon, onion, and sauce together until everything is well combined. Ensure the ingredients are evenly coated.
Step 13
Arrange the mixture of smoked salmon and tartar sauce attractively on top of each prepared inari sushi. Generous topping makes them even more appealing and delicious.
Step 14
They melt in your mouth! These smoked salmon inari sushi, with the refreshing tartar sauce and crisp onion topping, offer a wonderful balance of flavor and texture. They are perfect for a special treat, or as an excellent choice for picnic or bento box lunches. Once you try making them, you’ll surely fall in love with the taste!
