17 Homemade Sushi Recipes: Rolls, Bowls, and Creative Twists

17 Sushi Recipes You Can Make at Home

Sushi night isn’t just for takeout or restaurants—it’s now easier than ever to make your favorite sushi recipes in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a sushi purist, looking for creative twists, or trying to accommodate dietary preferences, this curated collection of sushi rolls, bowls, and inventive adaptations delivers crowd-pleasers for all. From the iconic spicy tuna roll to family-friendly sushi bakes and cucumber-wrapped veggie sushi, here’s how to recreate your sushi bar favorites—and a few surprises—at home.

Spicy Tuna Roll

If you love the classic heat and umami of spicy tuna, you’ll be thrilled to know this sushi roll can be made easily at home, even without access to raw fish. This recipe uses canned tuna as a budget-friendly, accessible substitute, mixed with sriracha and mayonnaise for that beloved spicy kick. For a more authentic take, just swap in finely chopped, sushi-grade raw tuna if available.

• Key ingredients: Canned (or raw) tuna, sriracha, mayo, sushi rice, nori.
• Tip: Use a sushi mat for easy rolling and compact, restaurant-worthy results.

California Roll

The California roll is a sushi gateway: no raw fish required, universally appealing, and easy to master for beginners. The inside-out roll features imitation crab (or surimi), creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber, wrapped in rice and nori, often finished with sesame seeds on the outside. All you need to start is a sushi mat and a sense of adventure.

• Key ingredients: Imitation crab, avocado, cucumber, sushi rice, nori.
• Getting started: Moisten your hands before handling the sticky sushi rice to make rolling easier.

Spicy Crab Roll

Creamy, zesty, and utterly craveable, the spicy crab roll brings together imitation crab mixed with spicy mayo and fresh cucumber for crunch. If you have fresh crab meat on hand, this roll only gets better, but canned or surimi delivers great flavor without breaking the bank.

• Key ingredients: Imitation (or fresh) crab, sriracha mayo, cucumber, sushi rice, nori.
• Variation: Add avocado or tempura flakes for extra richness and crunch.

Dragon Roll

For sheer visual appeal, it’s hard to beat the dragon roll. This inside-out roll (uramaki) features a filling of shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber, but earns its name from the beautiful “scales” of thinly sliced mango and avocado on top, and a drizzle of sriracha mayo. It’s a big, bold, and beautiful centerpiece for your next sushi night.

• Key ingredients: Shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, mango, spicy mayo, sushi rice, nori.
• Tip: Use a sharp knife to create the neat, fine slices that give dragon rolls their signature look.

Sushi Bake

Craving sushi flavors without worrying about rolling? The viral sushi bake trades elegant slices for layers of seasoned rice, creamy crab or salmon topping, and spicy mayo, all baked together in a casserole dish. Scoop it onto nori sheets and top with your favorite veggies for a fun, shareable meal.

• Key ingredients: Cooked seasoned rice, imitation crab or salmon, cream cheese, spicy mayo, nori sheets for serving.
• Serving suggestion: Serve warm with avocado slices, cucumber, and extra sriracha.

Shrimp Tempura Roll

An enduring favorite at sushi spots everywhere, shrimp tempura rolls deliver crunch and flavor in every bite. Fried shrimp (tempura) is rolled with avocado and cucumber for a perfect blend of textures.

• Key ingredients: Shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, sushi rice, nori, eel or sweet soy sauce.
• Homemade tip: Make your own tempura: dip shrimp in flour, egg, panko, and fry until golden.

Chirashi Sushi (Scattered Sushi Bowl)

If rolling feels intimidating or you want a deconstructed approach, chirashi sushi is your answer. Just layer seasoned rice with an array of toppings—sliced raw fish, pickled vegetables, avocado, seaweed, and whatever else you love. It’s bright, vibrant, and customizable for every guest.

• Key ingredients: Sushi rice, sashimi-grade fish, cucumber, avocado, tobiko, pickled ginger, nori strips.
• Pro tip: Use a variety of colorful veggies to make the bowl pop.

Vegetarian & Vegan Sushi Rolls

Skip the seafood, and you still have a world of sushi options. Vegetarian sushi can be as simple as a cucumber roll (kappa maki) or packed with bell peppers, carrots, avocado, and more. Add crispy tofu or vegan cream cheese for heartier plant-based rolls.

• Key ingredients: Avocado, cucumber, carrots, bell peppers, roasted sweet potato, nori, sushi rice.
• Serving suggestion: Pair with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger for a vegan sushi feast.

Sushi Bowls

All the best flavors of a sushi roll, deconstructed into a sushi bowl that’s quick, satisfying, and adaptable to your tastes and pantry. Seasoned rice is topped with your choice of protein, crunchy veggies, avocado, and drizzled with spicy sauces or soy sauce.

• Popular toppings: Canned tuna, cooked shrimp, tofu, avocado, cucumber, edamame, shredded carrots, sriracha mayo, soy sauce.
• Assembly tip: Serve toppings in small piles or artfully scattered for gorgeous rainbow bowls.

Sushi Sandwiches (Onigirazu)

The sushi sandwich, or onigirazu, is a cross between a rice ball and a sandwich, using sheets of nori to wrap up layers of rice, cooked salmon or tuna, veggies, and creamy sauces. They’re handheld, portable, and a fun twist for lunchboxes or meal prep.

• Key layers: Sushi rice, spicy salmon or tuna, pickled cabbage, cucumber, carrot, avocado, nori.
• How to shape: Place fillings in the center of a nori sheet, fold each corner over the center, and wrap to form a compact square package.

Cucumber Sushi

Refreshingly crisp and ideal for those skipping rice, cucumber sushi hollows out an English cucumber and stuffs it with veggies like avocado, peppers, and carrots. Slice into rounds for a crunchy, low-carb sushi alternative, best dipped in spicy mayo.

• Key ingredients: English cucumber, avocado, bell peppers, carrots, optional sriracha-mayo dip.
• Serving tip: Serve chilled on a platter with spicy mayo and soy sauce on the side.

Salmon Avocado Roll

This classic roll features buttery salmon and creamy avocado rolled in sushi rice and nori. Use sushi-grade raw salmon for authenticity, or lightly cooked salmon if you prefer.

• Key ingredients: Sushi-grade salmon, avocado, sushi rice, nori.
• Pro tip: A dab of wasabi between the salmon and avocado adds extra flavor punch.

Rainbow Roll

A visually stunning twist on the California roll, the rainbow roll takes the base—crab, avocado, and cucumber—and tops it with an artful selection of colorful sashimi slices: salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and more. It’s as delicious as it is beautiful.

• Key ingredients: Imitation crab, cucumber, avocado, sushi rice, nori, assorted sashimi for topping.
• Preparation tip: Thinly slice the fish to easily drape over the rolls for a rainbow effect.

Eel Roll (Unagi)

Unagi (eel) rolls feature sweet and smoky broiled eel, often paired with avocado and cucumber, then finished with a sweet eel sauce. Look for pre-cooked eel at Asian grocery stores for ease.

• Key ingredients: Grilled eel, avocado, cucumber, sushi rice, nori, unagi (eel) sauce.
• Serving idea: Brush extra eel sauce on top of finished rolls for extra flavor.

Tempura Vegetable Roll

Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor, tempura veggie rolls highlight battered and fried vegetables—think sweet potato, zucchini, or green beans—rolled with sushi rice and nori. Great for vegetarians seeking crunch.

• Popular fillings: Sweet potato, zucchini, asparagus, avocado.
• Tip: Let fried veggies cool slightly before rolling to prevent steam from making the nori soggy.

Fried Prawn Sushi Roll

Similar to shrimp tempura, this fried prawn sushi roll features battered, crispy prawns within a sushi roll, paired with lettuce and finished with tonkatsu sauce or a tangy mayo. Ideal for lovers of bold flavor and texture.

• Main ingredients: Jumbo prawns, panko, flour, egg, lettuce, sushi rice, nori, tonkatsu sauce.
• Pro tip: Use a thin layer of lettuce to keep the fried prawn crisp inside the roll.

Tuna Mayo Maki

A Japanese lunchbox staple, tuna mayo maki is simple yet comforting. Mix canned tuna with mayo, a bit of soy, and wasabi (optional), then wrap in rice and nori with a slice of cucumber for freshness.

• Key ingredients: Canned tuna, mayonnaise, wasabi, soy sauce, sushi rice, nori, cucumber stick.
• Serving suggestion: Pair with pickled ginger for balance.

Sushi-Making Tips & Tools

• Use high-quality sushi rice: Season with vinegar, sugar, and salt for authentic flavor.
• Keep your hands wet to prevent rice from sticking while rolling or shaping sushi.
• Invest in a sushi mat for easy, even rolls.
• Use a sharp knife wet with water to slice rolls for clean edges.
• Experiment with fillings and toppings—let your creativity shine!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I make sushi without raw fish?

You can use cooked fish (like baked salmon or shrimp), canned tuna, imitation crab, or even just vegetables to make delicious sushi rolls at home.

Do I need a bamboo mat to make sushi?

A bamboo sushi mat (makisu) makes rolling easier and keeps shapes tight, but you can improvise with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel if needed.

Can I make sushi ahead of time?

Sushi is best enjoyed fresh, but you can make rolls a few hours ahead. Keep them tightly wrapped and refrigerated, and slice just before serving for best texture.

Is sushi rice necessary?

For authentic taste and texture, sushi rice is recommended—it’s seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt for flavor. In a pinch, short-grain rice can substitute if seasoned properly.

How do I prevent my sushi rolls from falling apart?

Don’t overfill rolls, use the right amount of rice, and roll tightly. Using a sharp, wet knife to slice ensures clean, intact pieces.

Author

Shinta

 

Shinta is a biotechnologist turned writer. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. Shinta realised her love for content while working as an editor for a scientific journal.

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