How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (2024)

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I'm a sushi lover, and vegan sushi is my jam. This easy vegan sushi recipe is simple, fresh, and healthy! With 4 incredible dipping sauces these veggie sushi rolls made with avocado, sweet potato, cucumber, and carrots are super yummy and nourishing.

How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (1)

Are you looking for an easy vegan sushi recipe that you can make at home? Well, look no further. Homemade sushi is surprisingly easy to make; and with just a few tips, you’ll be making sushi like a pro in no time.

Don't miss these vegan sushi bowls either for the days you don't feel like rolling sushi! It's packed with epic options and lots of sushi dipping sauce recipes like this spicy mayo (vegan)! Both are gluten-free friendly, oil-free, and everyone loves them - vegan or not!

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How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (2)

Vegan Sushi Roll Ingredients

Some of the most popular types of sushi are the California Roll (the original inside-out roll), the Crunchy Roll, the Dynamite Roll, and Rainbow Roll. I love re-creating plant-based versions of these popular sushi rolls.

Here’s what you’ll need to make some of our favorite veggie sushi rolls:

  • Rice – short grain Japanese sushi rice
  • Nori sheets – dried seaweed sheets found in Asian markets, in the International Aisle at large grocery stores or online.
  • Avocado – adds a wonderful, fresh creamy richness.
  • Sweet potato – baked until sweet and tender with a crunchy crust.
  • Cucumber – adds freshness and crunch. Usually cut into spears or thin sheets.
  • Carrots – grate them for the perfect texture, sweetness and crunch.
  • Dipping sauces – what’s sushi without sauce? At our house it’s a problem! See below for some tasty sweet, spicy, salty, umami, dipping sauce recipes.
  • Sesame seeds – adds nuttiness and texture.
  • Serve with wasabi, soy sauce, spicy mayo, eel sauce, pickled ginger and toasted sesame seeds.

Additional optional fillings: mushrooms, tofu, asparagus, beets, grilled eggplant, radish, beans or sprouts.

How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (3)

How to Make Perfect Sushi Rice

I stumbled across a foolproof rice-making technique while reading Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi. After so many rice disasters, I had to pinch myself with this method! It's so simple and reliable!!

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water.
  2. Soak the rice for 15 minutes.
  3. Cook for 10 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and rest for 15 minutes.
  5. Transfer to a large bowl, stir in vinegar and mix thoroughly until rice is cool. Voilà, perfect rice!
  6. Cover the bowl of rice with a damp cloth while making sushi rolls.

How to Roll Vegan Sushi Rolls - 2 ways

How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (4)

I’ve taken a lot of vegan (vegetarian) sushi classes from professional sushi chefs. They make it look so dang easy. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for 2 rolling methods (traditional and inside out) using a bamboo mat.

Let's get into the details. First up inside out rolls . . .

How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (5)
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (6)
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (7)
  1. Make the sushi rice.
  2. Gather and prepare all the filling ingredients (slice avocado, grate carrots, cut cucumbers, etc.).
  3. Cover bamboo mat with plastic wrap or bag (this is done for easy cleanup, I don’t cover mine).
  4. Set out a small dish of water for dipping your fingers.
  5. Lay the nori sheet (shiny side down) on the mat.
  6. Dip fingers in water and spread and press the rice evenly over nori sheet covering the whole sheet with rice (don't make the rice too thick!). Sprinkle sesame seeds over the rice.
  7. Flip the nori over and make a couple rows of veggies at the lower end (closest to you).
  8. Take the filling all the way to the outside edges so the end pieces are full.
  9. But, don’t overfill the rolls.
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (8)
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (9)
  1. Starting with the lower edge, lift the bamboo mat up and over the sushi filling creating a log. (thumbs behind and fingers curled over the roll). Gently tuck the edge under with your fingers as you roll the sushi and squeeze along the length of the roll to secure the filling.
  2. Then lift the mat and continue to tuck and roll the log (jelly roll style) until the sushi is rolled all the way through the end of the nori sheet.
  3. Gently squeeze the finished log and remove the mat. Pro Tip remember to pull the mat out after each roll or you’ll end up with the mat rolled into the sushi!!!
  4. Cover the roll in plastic wrap and chill in fridge while you roll the other sushi.
  5. Remove the plastic wrap. Cut the roll in half, then cut each half in half, and repeat until you have 8 even slices.
  6. Top with thinly sliced avocado, crunchy sweet potato shoestrings or a dab of Vegenaise topped with a pickled jalapeno or radish slice.
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (10)

Method for Traditional Roll (nori on outside)

  1. For a traditional sushi roll, follow the above instructions to #6 but leave an inch at the top end with no rice.
  2. Place a couple rows of vegetables on the rice in the bottom third (closest to you) of the nori sheet. Make sure the filling goes all the way to the sides. Pro Tip: add a squirt of spicy mayo for extra flavor. Continue to roll following the directions above.
  3. Cut the sushi roll into 8 even pieces as above.
  4. Top with a dab of Vegenaise and a jalapeno or strawberry slice (or any topping you enjoy).
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (11)
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (12)
How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (13)

Tips for Making Vegan Sushi at Home

It's easy to make sushi at home, here's a few tips to guide you along the way:

  • Time Management: Prepare the filling and sauces while the rice is cooking.
  • Dry Rice: Keep the bowl of rice covered while you are making the sushi rolls.
  • Sticky Rice: Dip your fingers in water before handling the rice to prevent it from sticking to you.
  • Overfilling: Don't use too much rice or filling!
  • Wipe the knife between each cut. Also Chef taught us to dip the tip of a sharp knife into water, tip the blade up and let the bead of water run down the sharp edge of the knife before cutting.
  • Million Dollar Tip: Use a very sharp knife. Slice the roll in half and the halves in half and the quarters in half until you have 8 equal pieces. Remember: slice don’t saw the pieces.
  • Sushi Rolling Tips: Use a bamboo mat to make rolling the sushi easier. They are inexpensive and widely available in supermarkets, kitchen stores or online. You can roll sushi by hand or using a clean kitchen towel if you don't have a bamboo mat.
  • Gluten-free Option: Sub tamari for soy sauce.

Storage and Leftovers

Veggie sushi rolls are best served as fresh as possible! Same day ensures best texture and flavors. Because this sushi is made without fish though, the sushi can be stored for one day in the fridge with good success.

Sushi Dipping Sauces

Here's four of our favorite vegan dipping sauces for sushi. I like to drizzle a bit of each on every piece!

How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (14)

Spicy Mayo for sushi – this popular spicy mayo is an essential sushi sauce!

Spicy Soy Sauce – stir a blob of wasabi into your soy sauce.

Wasabi Mayo – stir a blob of wasabi and a few drops of soy sauce into Vegenaise.

Unagi Sauce (eel sauce recipe) – Not to worry, despite its name, eel sauce does not have eel in it!!! Delicious as a drizzle or brushed on zucchini, eggplant or mushroom slices while grilling (soooo tasty!). Kinda sweet, sorta spicy dipping sauce – a must for vegan sushi rolls. (recipe below)

More Vegan Recipes

More popular vegan recipes to try:

  • Salad Rolls with spicy Thai peanut sauce
  • Vegan Buddha Bowl - plus how to make a custom Buddha bowl.
  • Vegan Dumplings - these vegetarian potstickers are incredible! Everyone LOVES them!
  • Savory Green Pancakes - easy, healthy, delicious (gf version)

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How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (15)

Easy Vegan Sushi

Making homemade sushi is surprisingly easy and super delicious. This healthy, vegan sushi recipe is made with avocados, sweet potato, carrots and cucumber. And what's sushi without dipping sauce? You don't have to worry, I've included four easy sushi dipping sauces!!!!

Author : Tracy Halasz

Servings:4 rolls

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Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Bamboo Rolling Mat

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ½ cups Japanese sushi rice (short-grain white)
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 2-4 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 4 sheets nori (seaweed)
  • 3-4 avocados, sliced
  • 1-2 small cucumbers, seeded and sliced
  • 1 small baked sweet potato (method below)
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • 1 spicy mayo recipe
  • 1 unagi sauce recipe*
  • soya sauce
  • wasabi paste
  • sesame seeds, black & white
  • 1 bamboo rolling mat

INSTRUCTIONS

  • ***Preheat oven to 425º F. Once the rice is soaking, skip to the sweet potato preparation so they will both be ready at the same time!***

Making the Rice

  • Soak the rice for 15 minutes in cold water.

  • Drain and place in a lidded saucepan with 1 ½ cups of water.

  • Cover the pan, bring to a boil then turn the heat down to the lowest setting.

  • Cook for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and leave covered for another 15 minutes.

  • Remove lid, add 2 - 4 tablespoons of rice vinegar (stirred together with 1 tsp sugar).

    Stir thoroughly to incorporate while the rice cools. Cover with a lid or damp cloth.

  • Pro Tip:Keep the cooked rice covered when not in use.

  • One More Tip: Keep a bowl of water for dipping finger tips while spreading the rice (prevents sticking).

  • Last Tip: Keep a clean, folded kitchen towel next to workspace to keep mat, hands, and surfaces clean and clear for rolling.

Prepping the Sweet Potato Fries (make these while the rice is soaking)

  • Preheat the oven to 425º F. Rack on bottom ⅓ of oven.

  • Cut the sweet potato into ~¼" rods.

  • Dip them in some plant-based milk, then into a bowl of panko bread crumbs.

  • Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet that has been drizzled with 1 tbsp of oil. Shake the fries on the sheet to lightly coat the fries. Sprinkle with coarsely ground salt.

  • Cook for 10-18 minutes until tender and crisp - shaking (or turning) halfway through. The fries should be tender and sweet on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Vegetable Filling for Sushi Rolls

  • Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and skin. Slice each half lengthwise into thick slices.

  • Peel and grate the carrots.

  • Slice small Persian cucumber into long thin slices or wedges. (Deseed cucumber if too juicy.)

Spicy Mayo Recipe - 3 minute spicy sushi sauce

    Unagi Sauce (Eel Sauce) Recipe

    • ¼ cup mirin, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1-2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar: mix together in a small saucepan.

      Optional: add a few slices of jalapeno pepper or a squirt of sriracha for some heat.

    • Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring up to a boil then reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer for about 8-10 minutes until it starts to thicken.

    • Remove from heat and let cool completely. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. It will end up being about the consistency of maple syrup.

    • Store the sauce in the fridge for up to 3 months.

    Rolling Sushi

    • Lay out your bamboo mat with an piece of plastic wrapped around it (optional: to keep the mat clean).

    • For a traditionalroll, place a sheet of nori (shiny side down) on the mat.

    • Spread a layer of rice evenly over the nori (not too thick) leaving a small space at the top of the sheet.

    • Place your ingredients in the bottom third of the nori sheet in a couple rows.

    • Pick up the bottom edge of the nori and pull it up and over the filling ingredients rolling it away from you (curl your fingers over the bamboo mat and gently press along the length of the log through the mat). This will gently compress the filling and rice together.

    • Continue to roll and press along the log (lifting the mat out of the way as you roll) until you've rolled past the far edge of the nori sheet.

    • See details for inside out rolls in recipe post.

    • Place the rolls in the fridge wrapped in plastic until it's time to serve them.

    • At serving time, take a very sharp, clean-edged knife, dip the tip into water, hold the tip of the blade up and let the water run down and off the blade. Wipe the blade between each cut.

    • Slice the sushi roll in half. Slice each half in half, slice each quarter in half. This will ensure you have 8 evenly cut pieces.

    • Decorate the top of your rolls with crispy sweet potato shoestrings, a dab of Vegenaise with a jalapeno slice or strawberry slice, some pickled radishes or thinly sliced avocados.

    • Arrange them on a serving plate and serve with dipping sauces, pickled ginger, and toasted sesame seeds.

    NOTES

    Time Management:

    Preheat oven to 425º F.

    Soak the rice. While the rice is soaking, prepare the sweet potatoes and pop them in the oven.

    Cook and rest the rice. While the rice is resting prepare the other vegetables and any dipping sauces you are serving.

    Once the rice is cool, start rolling and enjoying the sushi!!!

    Sushi is best served fresh, but any leftover vegan sushi can be stored in the fridge overnight.

    This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

    This post was originally posted in March 2019 and updated in April 2021 with updated recipe instructions, photos, tips and tricks.

    How to Make Easy Vegan Sushi (like a pro!) | simplyceecee | vegan recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What is vegan sushi made of? ›

    Fresh veggies, roasted veggies, mushrooms, fried tofu, fresh tofu, soy beans, avocado, daikan.... Sushi is the rice, more than anything. Once you get that right, and get some nori, everything you put in there will taste great.

    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 to create your own sushi? ›

    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. 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.

    What is vegan sushi called? ›

    Any sushi with just vegetables on it and inari sushi (sometimes called tofu pockets). Inari is my favorite along with avocado sushi. There is also sushi with fake seafood and fake fish on it, but the ones I've tried don't taste anything. Popular other vegan sushi styles are aubergine sushi and cucumber sushi.

    Is it okay to eat vegan sushi everyday? ›

    Vegetarian sushi is likely to be a healthy choice to eat on a daily basis - assuming it's mostly vegetables and rice and maybe some tofu. However, soy sauce contains a lot of salt and if it contains caramel food coloring, it might not be the best choice.

    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.

    How to make sushi for school lunches? ›

    Arrange one-quarter cucumber, avocado and carrot over mayonnaise. Using the sushi mat, roll up firmly to form a roll. Cut into 6 slices. Repeat with remaining nori sheets, rice, mayonnaise, cucumber, avocado and carrot to make 24 pieces.

    Is sushi hot 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.

    Can I make my own sashimi? ›

    To make fantastic sashimi, you will need a few key tools and ingredients. First, you will need a sharp, high-quality Japanese knife for slicing the fish. You will also need a cutting board, a bowl of ice water for keeping the fish cool, and a few basic ingredients such as soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

    How is real sushi made? ›

    Sushi is traditionally made with medium-grain white rice, though it can be prepared with brown rice or short-grain rice. It is very often prepared with seafood, such as squid, eel, yellowtail, salmon, tuna or imitation crab meat. Many types of sushi are vegetarian.

    How is original sushi made? ›

    Generally speaking, narezushi was made of rice and fish pickled together, mixed with rice vinegar and sake, laid under a large stone to prevent decay and left to ferment. However, the rice was used primarily to encourage fermentation, and was discarded so that only the fish was eaten.

    Is vegan sushi real sushi? ›

    The sushi industry has been made to rethink its menus, giving way to the hottest new trend in Japanese food: vegan sushi. To eat a vegan sushi roll is to experience taste and texture on a new level. Each roll is crafted with sticky rice flavored with mirin, a Japanese cooking wine with sweet and savory notes.

    Is vegan sushi good for you? ›

    Sushi is a great way to get your lean protein servings if you love eating fish, but if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, you can also enjoy sushi made with plant-based proteins, such as tofu, to meet your recommended daily intake of protein foods.

    Does vegan sushi have fish? ›

    Not really. Vegetarian sushi is just like other sushi, without the meat. It's rice and vegetables, rolled in seaweed. I suppose, to a small degree, you could say that seaweed tastes “fishy” but honestly, you could also say that fish taste like the ocean, which tastes like seaweed.

    Does vegan sushi have seaweed? ›

    Nori wraps: Nori itself is vegan as it is a type of seaweed. Sushi rolls: If the sushi roll filling includes raw fish, it would not be considered vegan.

    References

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