How to Make Sushi is a detailed guide that teaches you how to make sushi at home! Detailed, step-by-step instructions show you how easy and fun it is to get creative in the kitchen!
How to Make Sushi At Home
Sushi chefs spend years perfecting the art of making sushi and, let’s be honest, you and me aren’t at that level BUT sometimes it is so fun to sit down and make your own, customized sushi roll, throw a sushi party and get creative! So if you have been curious about how to make your own sushi at home this is the guide for you! Soon you will be making spicy salmon rolls and spicy tuna rolls like a pro.
I have been making my own sushi for about 10+ years so I am excited to finally put my own experience into writing – this is clearly an Americanized version of sushi-making and if you want to truly enjoy the authentic version head out and find yourself a talented sushi chef at a local restaurant!
Love sushi – try making these Philadelphia Rolls or a Sushi Burrito!
History of Sushi
Want to dig a little more into the history of sushi – here is a great article!
What You Will Need (Ingredients)
- Sushi Rice: we love this one! The perfect sticky texture every time and if you need an easy tutorial on how to make it you should checkout this post!
- Nori Sheets: these are the seaweed sheets that hold the rolls together – put them on the inside or out.
- Filling Ingredients: you can really get creative here! Some of our favorites are tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, carrots, asparagus, cream cheese, bell pepper, etc.!
- Mayo: this can be mixed with wasabi or sriracha to add a little spice.
- Wasabi: a Japanese horseradish that can be mixed with some mayo or just served on the side – we love this one!
- Pickled Ginger: optional for serving with sushi.
What You Will Need (Tools)
- Bamboo Sushi Mat: the main tool that is made-up of small bamboo sticks to help you roll-up the perfect sushi every time!
- Parchment Paper (if making Inside Out Rolls): this helps prevent the rice from getting stuck in the bamboo sheet.
- Sharp Knife: it is very helpful to use a very sharp knife when slicing the roll into pieces!
What Should I Put In Sushi?
There are so many great options – feel free to get creative with different combinations! For a protein option we love raw tuna, raw salmon, smoked salmon, imitation crab, or cooked shrimp. Also, if you are looking for a non-protein or veggie option, you could use cucumber, avocado, lettuce, or carrots! We would love to hear your favorite combination!
Sushi Topping Ideas
You can keep your garnishing simple with some sesame seeds or if you are looking to spice it up a bit you can drizzle some wasabi mayo or a simple spicy mayo on top!
How to Make Homemade Sushi Rolls
First, get your bamboo sushi mat and place the nori sheet on top, shiny side down. Then use a spoon to spread a thin layer of rice on top.
Be sure to leave about 1/2 an inch on the top of the nori sheet with no rice on it.
Next, place your filling ingredients about 1/2 an inch from the bottom on top of the rice.
Lift the bottom of the nori sheet & the bamboo sheet up over the filling ingredients.
Use the bamboo sheet to start rolling up the sushi roll – try to keep this process as tight as possible without squeezing too tight where the filling starts coming out.
Make sure you pull the bamboo sheet out slightly as you go so that it doesn’t get rolled up inside the roll.
Now keep this tuck & pull process going until the entire roll has been rolled up, nice and tight.
Then, you will have a nice sturdy sushi roll! Use a sharp knife to slice it into pieces. Option to sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
How to Make Inside Out Sushi Rolls
Grab a sheet of parchment paper and place it on top of your bamboo sushi mat.
Next, place your nori sheet on top.
Use a spoon to spread a thin layer of rice on top of the nori sheet.
Make sure you leave 1/2 an inch at the top without rice.
Then, you are going to carefully flip over your nori sheet. Start this by lifting up the top of the sheet that doesn’t have rice on it.
Lift up the entire sheet.
Carefully set it back down towards you so that the rice-free section is now close to you.
It is now ready for your filling ingredients.
Place the filling ingredients about a 1/2 from the bottom.
Lift the bottom of the nori sheet to start covering the filling ingredients.
Pull up the bottom of the bamboo sheet with the parchment paper up over the bottom of the nori sheet.
Tuck the nori sheet over the filling making sure the sheet is snug without being too tight, you don’t want to squeeze the filling out the sides.
After you tuck the roll over you will want to gently pull the bamboo sheet and parchment paper out so that they don’t get stuck inside the roll.
Now you will continue this tuck and pull process until it is completely rolled up into one solid sushi roll.
Then, use a very sharp knife to cut your roll into pieces. Option to sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
Try our California Roll and our Avocado Roll too!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Don’t forget to check out my Instagram account for some behind-the-scenes action! Or give me a follow on Facebook or see what I am pinning on Pinterest!
Other Recipes You Might Like
Sushi Hand Roll
Spicy Salmon Sushi Bowl
Philadelphia Roll
Tuna Poke Bowl
How to Make Sushi
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 sushi rolls 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Counter Top
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
How to Make Sushi – a step-by-step tutorial that teaches you how to make to make amazing sushi rolls at home!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups sushi rice
- 4 nori sheets
- 4–6 oz sushi grade tuna or salmon
- 1 avocado, sliced
- soy sauce for serving
- Optional: wasabi for serving
- Optional: spicy mayo or wasabi mayo
Instructions
- Place a bamboo sheet down. Place nori sheet on top, shiny side down.
- Using the back of a spoon, spread approx. 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons of sushi rice across the nori sheet leaving the top inch or so empty. The rice should be pretty flattened.
- Place your filling ingredients of choice (salmon, avocado, cucumber, etc.) in the middle of the nor sheet. Don’t go too crazy with the filling or it will end up popping out the ends if it is too full.
- If you want to add a bit of spicy mayo, siracha mayo or plain wasabi inside you can do that now as well.
- Using both hands, pick up the edges of the nori sheet closest to you and fold over the filling ingredients; tucking the nori sheet around the ingredients. Pick up the bamboo sheet and fold over as well (but don’t tuck all the way around).
- While pressing firmly down on the sushi roll, being pulling the bamboo sheet away from your body and rolling the sushi. Then stop and wrap your hands around the roll pressing down firmly to create a solid roll. Pull away from your body again with the bamboo sheet then stop again and press down. Continue doing this until you have a fully formed roll. See pictures above.
- Using a very sharp knife, cut the roll into 1 inch thick pieces.
- Create 3 more rolls using the same technique – see notes below for instructions on an Inside Out Roll (where the rice is on the outside of the roll instead of on the inside).
- Serve with soy sauce, wasabi or pickled ginger.
Notes
- Inside Out Rolls: to make an Inside Out Sushi Roll place a piece of parchment paper down and then put your nori sheet on top. Cover with rice leaving the top inch empty. Carefully pick up the piece of nori and flip it over so that the rice-free section is now closer to you. Place your ingredients towards the center of the nori sheet. Lift up the edge of the nori sheet closest to you and tuck around ingredients. Lift up the bamboo mat and fold over as well. Start pulling the bamboo away from your body as the nori sheet rolls around the ingredients. Then stop and apply gentle pressure to create a roll. Continue pulling/rolling with the bamboo mat and then apply pressure until you have a fully formed sushi roll. Cut into 1 inch pieces with a very sharp knife. (See photos above for step-by-step photos).
- Filling Ideas (protein): other than fish you can do smoked salmon, cooked shrimp or imitation crab!
- Filling Ideas (non-protein): avocado, carrots, cucumber, lettuce
- Can you store homemade sushi: No, it isn’t recommended to store sushi overnight as it increases the risk for bacteria to develop.
- Can you make a fish-free sushi roll: Yes, you can make a California Roll or other veggie-focused roll if you want – get creative!
- Where to find fish for sushi: Head to your local fish monger (someone who specializes in selling fish) to ask about what they would recommend for making sushi. I have also had good luck at Whole Foods.
- Raw Food: consume raw fish at your own risk.
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