17 Sushi Recipes You (Yes, You!) Can Make At Home (2024)

Let the good times (sushi) roll.

By Camille Lowder
17 Sushi Recipes You (Yes, You!) Can Make At Home (1)

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Though Japanese sushi might seem like a delivery- or takeout-only meal, we’re here to tell you that it’s totally attainable at home. Though it does take a long time to become a professional sushi chef (seriously, they train for up to 10 years!), you (yes, you!) can make delicious rolls with just a few key ingredients and techniques. The best part? We’ve included some classic recipes here, but you really can fill them with whatever you want—tempura, veggies, pickles… doesn’t have to be limited to just fish. Check out our best sushi recipes for ideas—you’ll only get better with practice, so get to rolling!

It’s ALL about the rice. The word sushi actually means “sour rice” in Japanese, so if you’re going to attempt sushi at home, you’ve got to get it right. Don’t be intimidated, we’ve got a sushi rice guide to get you started. Basically, you’ll be adding rice wine vinegar (the “sour”) to your rice in a particular way. If it’s not perfect the first time, no worries—your rolls will still taste delicious.

The world is your oyster… er, sushi-grade fish. If you're looking to make authentic sushi with raw fish, you're going to want to seek out the best you can find. While we’re usually all for a frozen foods swap, here it will compromise flavor and taste, so go for fresh. Talk to a fishmonger for help picking something out (emphasize you’ll be eating it raw). Check out our rainbow roll to see how we used raw tuna, raw yellowtail, and raw salmon to great effect. If you don’t have access to high-quality fish though, don’t worry. Lots of great rolls utilize imitation crab (also known as crab stick or surimi), like our spicy crab roll. You could also use tempura, like in our dragon roll or our shrimp tempura rolls, or even humble canned tuna, like in our spicy tuna rolls. Not a big fish fan? Stick with solely veggies, like in our cucumber sushi, or try out different combos of whatever you like. These are your sushi rolls, so have fun with it.

Tool of the trade. To really be successful at rolling your own sushi, you’re going to want to grab a reusable bamboo sushi mat. They’re relatively inexpensive, and once you see how easy it is to make sushi, we bet you’ll get a lot of use out of it. Check out our kimbap (technically not sushi, but similar technique) recipe video to see it in action. Hot tip: Wrap your mat in plastic wrap before using it. It does eliminate some of the reusable nature of the mat, but trust us, it makes the cleanup SO much easier while you’re still getting used to rolling.

Want to round out your sushi dinner? Check out our roasted edamame, our ginger pork potstickers, or our miso soup, or our seaweed salad to make it a homemade meal that’s just as good as from your favorite restaurant.

1

Spicy Tuna Roll

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In restaurants, spicy tuna sushi rolls usually involve raw, sushi-grade fish. But if raw fish is out of reach, this recipe uses humble canned tuna. That’s not to say you can’t use the basic skeleton of this recipe for raw tuna if you can find it—just substitute in sushi-grade fish, finely chopped, and proceed onward!

Get the Spicy Tuna Roll recipe.

2

California Roll

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Just getting into sushi? California rolls are the perfect place to start. No raw fish is required—just imitation crab, which is typical for this type of roll. All you need is a sushi mat and you're ready to roll! 😉

Get the California Roll recipe.

3

Spicy Crab Roll

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This spicy crab sushi utilizes inexpensive imitation crab, called surimi, to create the beloved creamy and piquant roll. If you’ve got fresh crab on hand—lucky you!—it would be delicious in surimi’s place.

Get the Spicy Crab Roll recipe.

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4

Dragon Roll

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Uramaki arguably reaches a peak of extravagance with the dragon roll, with its gorgeous "scales" of thinly sliced mango and avocado and drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo. The roll is wrapped in classic vinegar-seasoned rice and filled with crispy shrimp tempura, a mix of buttery avocado, and crunchy cucumber.

Get the Dragon Roll recipe.

5

Sushi Bake

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This casserole is exactly like your favorite spicy roll, but with all your favorite extra toppings. The sticky, seasoned sushi rice gets baked in an oiled dish, making the edges slightly crisp and chewy, and creating a mind-blowing texture contrast with the decadent topping. Serve it with small sheets of nori to get the full sushi vibe.

Get the Sushi Bake recipe.

6

Shrimp Tempura Rolls

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This starring dish is shrimp tempura roll, which is stuffed with avocado and battered jumbo shrimp that are fried until crisp perfection. The shrimp is slightly sweet and nicely dense, the avocado is super soft and rich, and the rice is mixed with vinegar, sugar, and salt for a base that enhances all the flavors. It’s a classic for a reason!

Get the Shrimp Tempura Rolls recipe.

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7

Chirashi Bowls

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Chirashizushi (ちらし寿司) translates to "scattered sushi" and is a style of sushi that entails exactly what the name suggests: pieces of sashimi over sushi rice. Chirashizushi—or chirashi bowls—is probably the simplest way to enjoy what you love about sushi without having to learn how to roll maki.

Get the Chirashi Bowls recipe.

8

Sushi Bowls

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Not ready to make your own California roll or shrimp tempura roll at home quite yet but craving all of the classic sushi flavors? Make a sushi bowl! You can practice making restaurant-worthy sushi rice, source best-quality fish, and discover what ingredients, flavors, and textures you like, without any rolling.

Get the Sushi Bowls recipe.

9

Philadelphia Roll

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Philadelphia roll is essentially a bagel and lox turned into epically delicious sushi, and we're all about it. The classic combo of smoked salmon and cream cheese is boosted with crunchy cucumber and pickled red onions. We topped the roll with everything bagel seasoning too—it might not be traditional, but it definitely is delicious.

Get the Philadelphia Roll recipe.

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10

Boston Roll

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The Boston roll is a classic of Americanized sushi. Rolled uramaki-style, with the rice wrapped around the nori, the fillings are a simple mix of poached shrimp, crunchy cucumber, and rich avocado. What makes the roll really special is the addition of tobiko, or fish roe, on the outside of the rice. Briny, crunchy, and brightly colored, it makes every bite extra special.

Get the Boston Roll recipe.

11

Rainbow Roll

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Rainbow rolls include a lot of elements of traditional Japanese sushi—seasoned rice, raw fish, nori—but the composition is definitely Americanized. This inside-out roll (or uramaki) has rice on the outside, while the sheet of nori on the inside holds the avocado, cucumber, and crab in place. Top your rolls with sushi-grade fish, or get creative and try thinly sliced avocado, roasted red peppers, or smoked salmon.

Get the Rainbow Roll recipe.

12

Baked Salmon Sushi Cups

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Making sushi at home can be intimidating, what with making sushi rice, rolling it up just right, and dealing with raw fish. With these baked salmon sushi cups, you can skip all that but still get all the flavors of your favorite roll.

Get the Baked Salmon Sushi Cups recipe.

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13

Sushi Rice

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Looking to make killer sushi at home? The first and most crucial step is perfecting your sushi rice. It isn't very complicated, but it is one of those things that's so simple, you've got to do things a specific way. Check out our techniques and tricks to nailing it—it'll get better the more you try it, so keep at it!

Get the Sushi Rice recipe.

14

Cucumber Sushi

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Crisp, refreshing, and packed with veggies, this cucumber "sushi" will become your new favorite addition to the sushi platter. It might not be real sushi, but it sure is delicious!

Get the Cucumber Sushi recipe.

15

Kimbap

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To make Korean kimbap, you will need seaweed (kim or gim), freshly cooked rice (bap), and a bamboo sushi mat. Take note that while they look alike, kimbap is not technically sushi: Sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar, and kimbap rice is drizzled with a bit of sesame oil for a fragrant and savory curve.

Get the Kimbap recipe.

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16

Sushi Stacks

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Craving sushi, but can't manage all that rolling? Sushi stacks are here for you. They've got all the flavors you love—sushi rice, salmon, spicy mayo, and cucumber salad—but are way easier to make. Simple assemble your layers in a measuring cup, then flip!

Get the Sushi Stacks recipe.

17

Cauliflower Sushi Stacks

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Next time you’re craving a sushi roll, but want a lighter alternative to the rice-packed standard version, try this inventive twist. The "sticky riced cauliflower" is made with cauliflower rice, flax powder, rice vinegar, and nori. (Tip: The ground flaxseed is what helps cauliflower mimic real sushi rice, so don't skip it!)

Get the Cauliflower Sushi Stacks recipe.

17 Sushi Recipes You (Yes, You!) Can Make At Home (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to make sushi at home? ›

Sushi Pantry Staples
  1. Sushi rice.
  2. Rice Wine Powder or Vinegar.
  3. bamboo mat.
  4. plastic wrap.
  5. nori (seaweed sheets)
  6. soy sauce.
  7. toasted sesame seeds.
  8. Sriracha chili sauce.
Jul 15, 2024

What are the 5 main ingredients in sushi? ›

Here's my list of 25 Essential Japanese Sushi ingredients for home chefs:
  • Sushi Rice: The Foundation of Your Sushi Roll.
  • Rice Vinegar: The Secret to Perfect Sushi Rice.
  • Nori Sheets: The Backbone of Sushi Rolls.
  • Wasabi: The Spicy Kick.
  • Soy Sauce: The Ultimate Companion.
  • Sake: A Unique and Flavorful Rice Wine.
Feb 2, 2023

How to make sushi in 5 steps? ›

How To Make Sushi
  1. Make the rice.
  2. Cut and prepare your sushi fillings (fish, veggies, etc.).
  3. Layer: bamboo rolling mat, saran wrap, nori seaweed sheet, rice.
  4. Lay thin layer of fish and veggies on rice.
  5. Roll it up until top and bottom edges of nori meet; seal edges together.
  6. Cut into bite-sized pieces and serve.

How is sushi made simple? ›

Center 1 nori sheet on a bamboo sushi mat. Use wet hands to spread a thin layer of rice on top. Arrange 1/4 of the crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, and pickled ginger over rice in a line down the center. Lift one end of the mat and roll it tightly over filling to make a complete roll.

What are the 3 main types of sushi? ›

Types Of Sushi
  • Nigiri: Nigiri is a slice of fish placed over a small bit of rice.
  • Sashimi: Sashimi is slices of fish served without rice.
  • Maki: These bite-sized rolls have seaweed on the outside and rice (and other ingredients) on the inside.
Feb 8, 2023

What is real sushi made of? ›

The main ingredients of traditional Japanese sushi, raw fish and rice, are naturally low in fat and high in protein, carbohydrates (the rice only), vitamins, and minerals, as are gari and nori. Other vegetables wrapped in sushi may also offer nutrients.

Should sushi be warm or cold? ›

Some sushi may be warmer or cooler than others. In general, however, sushi should ideally be served at room temperature, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius. But remember, these are guidelines, not rules – you have the flexibility to experiment.

Is homemade sushi hard to make? ›

It has incredible flavor but it isn't as difficult as you may think to make at home! It's easy to get intimidated by the unfamiliar vocabulary, foreign kitchen tools, and overly simplistic recipe instructions. But fear not, think of this handy Sushi 101 guide as a prologue to your sushi journey!

What are the 3 main ingredients in sushi? ›

What Ingredients Make Up a Sushi Roll?
  • Sushi Rice. This essential building block of sushi rolls is referred to as Sushi-Meshi in the Japanese culture. ...
  • Rice Vinegar. ...
  • Nori. ...
  • Other Fixings.
Jan 29, 2019

How to use easy sushi? ›

Manual
  1. Open your Easy Sushi®. ...
  2. Position the nori seaweed sheet on the film, shiny side down, and make it take the shape of the shells.
  3. While maintaining the sheet of nori seaweed, arrange the rice preparation by packing gently, to fill the entire surface of the shells.
  4. Garnish as you wish (vegetables, fish, etc.).

What materials are used to make sushi? ›

Sushi rice, high quality soy sauce, nori and rice vinegar and wasabi are great ingredients for DIY sushi makers. Some pairs of chopsticks and sauce dishes help complete sushi sets!

What appliances do you need to make sushi? ›

Below, find Haraguchi's recommendations for the six tools and ingredients you need to make sushi at home—just add soy sauce.
  1. Chef's knife. ...
  2. Rolling mat. ...
  3. Cutting board. ...
  4. Sushi rice and rice cooker. ...
  5. Nori.
Feb 20, 2020

What is in a sushi kit? ›

1 sushi bazooka roller, 1 musubi press mold, 8 sushi molds, 2 onigiri triangle molds, 1 nigiri sushi mold, 1 bamboo roller, 1 rice ball mold, 1 silicone mat, 1 rice cooker, 1 knife, 1 avocado slicer, 1 vegetable julienne peeler, 1 rice paddle, 1 rice spreader, 1 basting brush, 2 squeeze bottles, 1 wooden serving board, ...

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