You too can enjoy Super Simple Homemade Sushi at home with these simple tips and tricks!
Sushi!!
I absolutely love sushi. Now even more so than ever since I've learned the simplest way possible to prepare it. No sushi mat needed (seriously, why do I own two of those!). No excessive ingredients. Just nori sheets, steamed white rice and fillings of your choice.
Let's do this!
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I would always add rice vinegar and sugar to my steamed rice after it cooked. I would then dip my hands in warm water and try to manipulate the super sticky rice to cover my nori sheet. Then I would try to awkwardly use a bamboo mat to roll up my sushi roll, only to have the mat make things more difficult.
I know now that making homemade sushi can be so much easier than I was making it to be. I've found that the plastic spatula that comes with your rice cooker is the best tool for spreading out the hot, steamed rice onto your nori sheet. Also, I feel like I enjoy my sushi just as much when I use plain rice as when I add rice vinegar and sugar. So why not keep it simple and skip that step?! (P.S. rice cookers are such an awesome kitchen appliance to have, even if you don't live in China!) Then, when it comes to rolling up the sushi roll, just use your hands. They work better than any sushi mat in my opinion and you have more control over your sushi roll.
When I lived in New York City, I would always by my nori sheets at the Asian market across from our apartment. If you don't live near a store that sells nori sheets, on-line is a great place to look! Even I can't find nori sheets here in China, but I just buy mine off Taobao ("Chinese ebay").
As for fillings, you can use a variety of vegetables, avocado, tofu, tempeh, etc. Get creative. Brett and I love carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, dried tofu and cilantro. Colorful and simple. What are you favorite sushi fillings?
See the image below for a step-by-step process to follow when making your Super Simple Homemade Sushi! And as always, let me know if you give this method a try! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag #theconscientiouseater on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Simple Homemade Sushi
Ingredients
- White rice cooked and still warm
- Julienned fillings of choice see notes for ideas!
- Nori Sheets
- Water
- [Sauce for dipping: soy sauce peanut sauce]
Instructions
- Using a rice cooker or a stove-top method, start cooking your white rice. I've found that two rice cooker cups (¾ cup each) provides enough rice for 4-5 sushi rolls. While your rice is cooking prepare all your vegetables and clear a space for rolling up your sushi rolls.
- When your rice has finished cooking, lay out one nori sheet on a flat surface. Using a plastic spatula that comes with your rice cooker), scoop out some hot, steaming rice onto your nori sheet and spread it out to cover almost all of the nori sheet, except for about 1 inch on the end farthest away from you. (See photo). You want your rice to be as thin as possible, but fully cover the nori sheet. Use the back of your spatula to smash down the rice and spread it out thinly.
- Next, lay some of each filling ingredient in the middle of the spread out rice. Not too much or you wont be able to roll up your sushi.
- Using your hand, get the part of the nori sheet that doesn't have rice on it wet. This will allow the nori sheet to seal together. Then, starting with the end closest to you, fold the nori sheet over your fillings and roll the sheet tightly until it seals at the end, pressing down hard at the end to help the seal stick.
- Set the sushi roll aside with the seal face down so that it continues to seal.
- Continue until you run out of rice or fillings.
- With a very sharp knife, cut each roll into about 8 pieces.
- Serve with soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Enjoy!
Notes
**Use Tamari if gluten free!
Daphne says
Good Morning Faith, Reading the other comments I notice you are in Vietnam..... what an interesting place to visit, have a wonderful time.
We love sushi and my daughter taught me how to make it on her return from Japan.... but I will try your method which looks so simple. I love my rice cooker and use it all the time. It wasn't until I owned one that I realised how much I would use it. If you had asked me if I wanted a rice cooker I would have probably said no, but my daughter bought me one and I haven't looked back.
I look forward to trying your method.
Best Wishes
Daphne
Faith says
Hi Daphne! Thanks so much for commenting! I always love hearing from new people. I hope you like this simple version. I don't miss the extra ingredients at all:) and yes! My rice cooker (which cost me $10 and has 1 button) is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. I love that I can steam veggies or potatoes while my rice is cooking. Let me know if you try out this simple sushi method and how you like it!
oscar says
Maybe try out "Lunch Lady" in Saigon. I'll be jealous!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNkcP-csIiU
Faith says
Ah, I wish we were going to that city, cause we totally would!
oscar says
Saigon is HCMC
Faith says
My husband just informed me of this haha! Still so much to learn!
Oscar says
Sorry - I'm old schooled generation. It will always be Saigon to me.
Faith says
Hold strong!
oscar says
Thought you were in Viet Nam.
What are you doing thinking about sushi?
Got phở? Bánh mì? Bánh xèo? Gỏi cuốn? Xôi?
Faith says
I know. I know. I planned these posts ahead of time;) we just had our first authentic Vietnamese meal yesterday and it was AMAZING! No pho yet, but that's on the agenda for today!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I usually get frustrated and throw it all in a bowl 😉 But ah I love my rice cooker too and that spatula I use for granola! Hahaha! The best!
Faith says
Sushi bowls as awesome too:) and good to know about granola!!
Sarah says
LOVE everything about this! Veggie sushi is one of my guilty pleasures and use to be A's and my thing to grab and sit on the patio to eat for lunch once a week while running errands. She just asked for it again and I was going to pick it up this week to bring for lunch but might have to whip up my own. Even more of a reason than to perfect one I can't get anymore that had a beautiful berry sauce on top and lots of avocado!
Happy Meatless Monday and thanks for linking up!
Faith says
Oh good Sarah! You should definitely try to make some at home, cause it's so easy!
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
I was just talking to my boyfriend about trying to make sushi with quinoa rather than rice - I feel like this method could work for us!
Faith says
That sounds awesome Alyssa! If you're able to get your quinoa sticky, it should work!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
ooh mine never comes out quite as pretty! Looks so yummy thanks for linking up with us today for Meatless Monday
Faith says
Whether it's pretty or not, I bet it's delicious!
Angela @marathonsandmotivtion.com says
I love this & how you broke down the steps to make it look simple! I think this would be a fun project with my kids, as they both enjoy sushi. I have pinned it to try! Also, please feel free to add this to my Savory Sundays Link-up at http://www.marathonsandmotivation.com The Linky is open all week & you can share as many recipes as you would like! 🙂
Faith says
Hey Angela! This would be so fun to make with kids. I hope you give it a shot! And thanks so much for letting me know about your link-up. I'll go check it out now!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
Thank you for linking up! Have a Great Week & keep our link-up in mind for next Sunday!! 🙂
Faith says
You're welcome Angela! Thanks for telling me about it!