The 15 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi) (2024)

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Sushi is such a fun and popular food, but making it can seem intimidating for beginners. We compiled this list of great Sushi Recipes to show you how easy it can be!

The word “sushi” specifically refers to prepared vinegared rice. From there, you can make a lot of different sushi varieties.

We’ve included some of the popular rolls found in sushi restaurants, as well as some really interesting traditional Japanese preparations that aren’t well known in the west.

Go through all of these great sushi recipes, you’ll never wonder “how to make sushi?” again. Have fun, and don’t forget the wasabi!

The 15 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi) (1)

Sushi Making Tips and Tricks

  • Choose the Right Rice: Opt for short-grain sushi rice for that perfect sticky texture.
  • Rinse the Rice: Always rinse your rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
  • Quality Ingredients: Invest in high-quality, fresh fish and vegetables for the best results.
  • Sharp Knife: A razor-sharp knife is crucial for slicing through delicate ingredients cleanly.
  • Roll Tight, but Don’t Squeeze: Keep your roll tight for good form, but don’t squeeze so hard that ingredients ooze out.
  • Wet Your Hands: To prevent sticking, keep a bowl of water nearby to wet your hands while handling rice.
  • Sushi Mat: Use a bamboo sushi rolling mat for the best rolling results; cover it in plastic wrap for easier cleaning.
  • Cutting Technique: Cut your roll in half first, then proceed to cut each half into smaller pieces to get even slices.
  • Practice: Sushi-making is an art; the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

The Best Sushi Recipes

1. Spicy Tuna Rolls

We’re starting this list with a sushi house classic, spicy tuna rolls. Sashimi grade tuna is tossed with sriracha for a bit of kick, then rolled with nori and rice and topped with spicy mayo. YUM!

Get the Recipe @ justonecookbook

2. Shrimp Tempura Roll

Here’s another very popular roll. Crispy tempura fried shrimp rolled up along with avocado into a super tasty sushi roll. One of our favorite sushi recipes!

Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo

3. Nigiri

Nigiri is one of the easiest forms of sushi to make, and is perfect for beginners. A ball of sticky rice is topped with your favorite sushi grade fish. Too easy!

Get the Recipe @ femalefoodie

Check out our collection of favorite Rice Recipes!

4. Chirashizushi (Scattered Sushi)

Chirashizushi, or scattered sushi, is your favorite sushi ingredients scattered over a bed of rice. It’s a quick and satisfying meal, similar to the popular poke bowls.

Get the Recipe @ recipetineats

5. Rainbow Roll

Rainbow rolls are kinda like inside out sushi rolls. Your basic roll gets topped with salmon, avocado and mango. How fun!

Get the Recipe @ masalaherb

6. Temaki

These hand rolled temaki feature your favorite sushi ingredients all wrapped in nori leaves. They make a fun party food, just arrange your ingredients on a platter and everyone can make their own perfect roll.

Get the Recipe @ justonecookbook

7. California Rolls

California rolls are one of the most popular sushi rolls in America. Imitation crab, cucumber and avocado are wrapped up in nori and rice. It’s a simple recipe perfect for beginners.

Get the Recipe @ rasamalaysia

8. Sashimi

If you’re going low carb, eat sashimi! Though technically not sushi because it lacks rice, it’s simply sliced sashimi grade fish served along with soy sauce, wasabi and picked ginger. So easy, yet so delicious!

Get the Recipe @ internationalcuisine

9. Temari Sushi

Temari sushi is fun little hand rolled balls of sushi ingredients wrapped around rice. They take a little work, but they’re a fun dish you can really get creative with. Just imagine serving a platter of these cute balls at your next get together!

Get the Recipe @ pickledplum

10. Sushi Bowls

Enjoy your favorite sushi in easy bowl form! Just gather all of your favorite sushi ingredients and arrange them in a bowl. Don’t forget the wasabi and soy sauce!

Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo

11. Sushi Burrito

These burritos are a fun way to eat sushi. They originated in California, but now they’re gaining popularity everywhere. This recipe shows you how to make them in your own kitchen.

Get the Recipe @ thewoodenskillet

Check out our collection of favorite Fish Recipes!

12. Sushi Tacos

Sushi tacos are another fun meal. The nori wraps are lightly fried with tempura batter to make them crispy, then they’re stuffed with a spicy salmon filling. This sushi recipe is sure to impress!

Get the Recipe @ coupleeatsfood

13. Inari Sushi

Inari sushi may not be well known in the west, but it is very popular in Japan. A pouch of fried tofu is filled with rice. How neat!

Get the Recipe @ pickledplum

14. Las Vegas Roll

A unique twist on sushi rolls, this Las Vegas roll features salmon, avocado and jalapeño. After assembly, it gets deep fried in tempura batter.

Get the Recipe @ howdaily

15. Spam Musubi

Spam Musubi is one of the most popular foods in Hawaii. A slice of fried Spam sits atop sushi rice and all is wrapped together with nori. What a unique way to wrap up our list!

Get the Recipe @ favfamilyrecipes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sushi Rice?

Sushi rice is a special type of short-grain rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt. It’s the foundation of any great sushi dish! If you don’t see it by the regular rice in your supermarket, try the international section.

Can I Use Regular Fish?

It’s critical to use sushi-grade fish when making sushi at home. This ensures the fish is safe to consume raw.

Is a Bamboo Mat Necessary?

While not strictly necessary, a bamboo mat helps in evenly rolling the sushi, making your life much easier.

Is Sushi Healthy?

Sushi can be a healthy meal option depending on your ingredient choices. Opt for fresh veggies and avoid sugary sauces for a health-conscious spread.

What Can I Serve with Sushi?

Traditional sides include pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. You can also pair it with miso soup or a light salad.

Conclusion

So there you go, fifteen great sushi recipes for you to make in your own home. They’re all fun to make and super tasty.

Save or pin this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

Take a look at these other great recipe collections!
Japanese Recipes
Light Dinner Ideas
Asian Recipes
Pizza Recipes
Taco Recipes
Tapas Recipes
Low Calorie Meals
Seafood Recipes
Finger Food Recipes

The 15 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi) (2)

30 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This great collection of Sushi Recipes will show you how to make sushi like a pro! Here's a quick rundown on how to make sushi rice:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice (“sushi rice”)
  • 2 cups water
  • 4-inch square of kombu (optional)
  • 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Wash the rice with cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. Place rice, water and kombu in rice cooker and cook the rice according to cooker instructions.
  3. While the rice is cooking, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small pan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
  4. Once rice has finished cooking, transfer to a large mixing bowl. Gently fold in vinegar mixture.
  5. Allow rice to cool at room temperature and place a damp cloth over the bowl to avoid the rice drying out.

Notes

  1. Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The 15 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi) (3)

Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.

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    The 15 BEST Sushi Recipes (How to Make Sushi) (2024)

    FAQs

    Is 15 pieces of sushi enough? ›

    So you have a number of elements to consider when making sushi. A good rule of thumb is to take 12 to 16 pieces of sushi per guest if you're only serving sushi for dinner and nothing else. That way everyone can try a nice variety of rolls without overindulging.

    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

    What makes the perfect sushi? ›

    1 - Rice must be cooked with vinegar for perfect sushi. 2 - The proportion of fish and rice must be just right. 3 - Only some fish works right with rice, other fish should be used for sashimi and chefs must go to great lengths to make sure they choose the right fish.

    How to make sushi in 6 steps? ›

    Sushi Chef Kaz Matsune from Breakthrough Sushi came by the Autodesk kitchen to show us how it was done.
    1. Step 1: Prep Your Seafood. ...
    2. Step 2: Prepare Your Rice. ...
    3. Step 3: Cut Your Fish. ...
    4. Step 4: Cut Nori Wrapper in Half and Put Rice. ...
    5. Step 5: Add Fish and Roll. ...
    6. Step 6: Cut the Sushi Roll. ...
    7. Step 7: Serve!

    How much rice for 1 sushi roll? ›

    One medium sushi roll (Chumaki) like Vegetarian Sushi Roll requires 1 cup (150 g) of sushi rice. One thin sushi roll (Hosomaki) requires ½ cup (80 g) of sushi rice. One inside-out sushi roll (Uramaki) like California Roll requires ¾ cup (110 g) sushi rice. One nigiri sushi requires 20 g of sushi rice.

    Is sushi OK for weight loss? ›

    Can I eat sushi while trying to lose weight? Sushi is relatively low in calories, which makes it a suitable option for those looking to lose weight.

    Is it OK to eat 20 sushi? ›

    According to a registered dietician, healthy adults can safely consume 2-3 sushi rolls, which means 10-15 pieces of sushi per week. However, the statistics are different for the elderly, pregnant women and others with the compromised digestive system.

    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.

    What is the best rice for sushi? ›

    The best rice for sushi is short-grain Japanese rice — this is what's in the bags labeled "sushi rice" at the store. This glutinous rice has a higher starch content than other varieties, which gives it the sticky texture you're after when you make sushi.

    What is the hardest part of making sushi? ›

    What is the hardest part of making sushi? While sushi-making overall isn't excessively difficult, some aspects can pose challenges, especially for beginners. One of the trickiest parts is achieving the perfect sushi rice consistency, as it requires precise measurements and the right cooking technique.

    What is the secret to rolling sushi? ›

    Making a Hand Roll
    • Cradle a sheet of nori in your hand. You should hold it in your non-dominant hand. ...
    • Place a ball of sushi rice in the nori directly over your palm. Dip your hand in water mixed with rice vinegar to keep the rice from sticking. ...
    • Make an indentation in the center of the rice. ...
    • Start rolling. ...
    • Finished.

    What is the most important thing in sushi? ›

    "For sushi, the rice is the most important component. The fresh fish is a given," he said. "A sushi chef knows how to pick out fresh fish to serve, but it is how the rice is prepared that makes sushi amazing.

    What does a beginner need to make sushi? ›

    Creating a sushi pantry out of basic staples will make it simple to have sushi any day of the week!
    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, 2023

    How to make sushi in 4 steps? ›

    Instructions
    1. Place the seaweed on a bamboo mat, then cover the sheet of seaweed with an even layer of prepared sushi rice. Smooth gently with a rice paddle.
    2. Layer salmon, cream cheese, and avocado on the rice, and roll it up tightly. Slice with a sharp knife, and enjoy right away with soy sauce.
    Oct 24, 2022

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