How to make homemade sushi easy

If you're craving sushi from your favorite spot and can't get there right now, I thought I'd share a simple guide on how we make sushi at home! While the recipe itself isn't complicated, it does take a little time to prepare the ingredients and roll the maki. 

However, you'll be amazed at how quickly and affordably you can create your own sushi rolls. Plus, it's a lot of fun! Making sushi at home is much more budget-friendly than dining out. 

It's also an enjoyable experience, allowing you to customize your rolls with any ingredients you love—like swapping imitation crab for smoked salmon, and pairing it with teriyaki sauce and wasabi. Here's how you can make your own perfect roll .

homemade sushi staples

To make good sushi, you'll need the following key ingredients:

• 1 cups water
• ⅔ cup uncooked short-grain white rice
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt

• 4 sheets nori seaweed sheets
• ½ pound imitation crabmeat, flaked
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and sliced
• ½ cucumber, peeled, cut into small strips
• 2 tablespoons pickled ginger

With these ingredients, you can create a variety of sushi types, including nigiri, maki, and sashimi. Enjoy your sushi-making!

What seaweed should you use for sushi recipes?

Discover how to prepare sushi rolls (maki rolls) with this simple, homemade recipe! You can personalize your rolls with any fillings you prefer, and be sure to check the notes above for helpful tips and variations.

To start, it’s important to use the correct type of seaweed. Look for sushi-specific seaweed, often labeled "nori" on the package. If you notice one side of the seaweed is shinier than the other, place the shiny side down on the rolling surface, as it will be on the outside of the roll.

Next, spread a layer of prepared sushi rice (refer to the post for rice instructions) on the nori, and gently flatten it with a paddle. Be careful not to press too hard, as my mom would always remind me. Don’t forget to leave the edges of the nori free of rice!

Place a portion of crabmeat, avocado, and cucumber in a line down the center of the rice. Roll everything up tightly using a bamboo mat. While a mat is the best tool for the job, parchment paper or plastic wrap can also work, though they won’t provide the same tightness. 

If you're planning to make sushi often, investing in a mat is worthwhile.

Finally, use a sharp knife to slice your roll into bite-sized pieces. You don’t need a serrated knife, just something sharp enough to cut cleanly through the sushi. Now you’re all set to enjoy your homemade sushi with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi, if desired!