How to Make Sushi - Photo Collage Showing Process

Homemade Sushi is so much cheaper than at the restaurant. Sushi is easy and fun to make at home, and you can put all your favorite ingredients into your perfect custom roll — here’s how!

Sushi Rolls - Sliced and Laid on Wooden Board

I’ll be very honest and say that there’s definitely a reason why chefs spend a decade learning how to perfect sushi rice or cut raw fish like a boss, because it does make a difference.

Homemade sushi will never be at the level of sushi from the top sushi restaurants in NYC, but here’s where homemade sushi wins:

You get to gorge yourself on a sushi FEAST for like $20, whereas a similar amount of sushi at a restaurant would cost a couple hundred. Soooooo worth it, if you ask me.

Sushi Recipe - Sliced to See Filling Of Avocado, Salmon, and Cream Cheese on Wooden Board

And you know what else? Sushi is really fun to make at home.

My husband and I first made it several years ago for Valentine’s Day as a way to avoid the restaurant craze and spend time together making a special meal, and now it has become a tradition for us every year. And we love it so much we can’t limit it to one day a year anymore, and make it on occasion for dinner.

We are fortunate to have access to sushi grade raw fish, but you can still make sushi at home if you can’t find some. Shrimp tempura rolls are one of my favorites, or you could do a California roll or a veggie roll. One of our favorites is a Philly roll, with smoked salmon, cream cheese, avocado, and cucumber.

Or if you want to try something a little different, you can make Korean Kim Bap. It’s fairly similar to sushi, but no raw fish.

Salmon Sushi - With Avocado and Cream Cheese on Wooden Board

What seaweed should you use for sushi recipes?

To get started, you need the right kind of seaweed. The one on the left below is thick and perfect for rolling sushi (this is the one I use). The one on the right is too flimsy. I use that seaweed for snacking. Make sure you get seaweed specific for sushi-making, which it should state on the package.

Two Sheets of Seaweed on Wooden Board

Spread the seaweed with a layer of prepared sushi rice (this whole post covers how to make the rice), and flatten gently with a rice paddle (but do not smash the rice, as my mom would always say):

Spreading Sushi Rice on Seaweed Paper with Rice Paddle

For my sushi this time, I got this gorgeous piece of salmon. It was a 1/2lb piece, and gave us enough fish for about 6 rolls, plus some snacking. Even at $28/lb, which seems like a lot, paying $14 for that much fish is certainly worth it, and dirt cheap if you ask me!

Sashimi Grade Salmon Piece on Wooden Board

How to cut raw fish for sushi:

Here is how I cut salmon for my sushi rolls. First, cut straight down through the filet, then cut that piece in half through the center so you have a small strip:

Sashimi Grade Salmon Pieces Sliced on Wooden Board

Place your desired ingredients onto the rice. I’ve got salmon, avocado, and cream cheese (I know, I know. But Philly-style rolls are my favorite):

Sushi Ingredients - Laid on Seaweed Sheet with Salmon, Avocado, and Cream Cheese

Roll it up tightly, using a bamboo mat. It’s a specific kitchen item, but you can get a decent one for less than $2 on Amazon, so I think it’s worth having.

If you don’t have one, you can sort of use parchment paper or plastic wrap, but you won’t be able to wrap it as tightly, so buy one if you plan to make sushi regularly.

Sushi Roll on a Bamboo Mat

Then use a sharp knife to cut the sushi roll into pieces. I don’t find it particularly better to use a serrated knife. Just make sure to use a sharp one!

Homemade Sushi - Sliced into Pieces on Wooden Cutting Board

What to serve with your sushi?

Now you’re ready to eat the rolls with some soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi, as desired!

Salmon Roll - With Avocado and Cream Cheese on Wooden Board

Next try Honey Walnut Shrimp or Seared Scallops for a special seafood dinner at home.

Sushi recipe tips:

  • Can you keep sushi overnight? I don’t recommend this, as the longer you keep the raw fish, you risk bacteria growth and illness. If I find that we’re getting full and we still have ingredients left, we’ll usually just enjoy the rest of the fish, thinly sliced sashimi-style, because that’s the most valuable part, and let the rest of the ingredients go. Also, refrigerated rice gets hard and dry, and doesn’t reheat well, so sushi is something that should be eaten freshly made.
  • Can you make sushi without fish? Yes, you can do vegetarian and even vegan sushi recipes. There are tons of ideas online, but avocado, cucumbers, and carrots are great filler ingredients.
  • Easy rice cooker sushi rice: Sushi rice is an art that chefs spend years perfecting, but if you’re looking for something easy, I have a post on how to make sushi rice in the rice cooker.

Enjoy!

Homemade Sushi Slices on Wooden Board

Homemade Sushi

Servings: 6 rolls
Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Homemade Sushi is so much cheaper than at the restaurant! Sushi is easy and fun to make at home — here’s how!
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Ingredients

  • 6 sheets sushi seaweed aka nori
  • 1 batch prepared sushi rice
  • 1/2 lb sushi-grade raw salmon or desired raw fish of choice
  • 4 oz cream cheese sliced into strips
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • soy sauce for serving

Instructions 

  • Place the seaweed on a bamboo mat, then cover the sheet of seaweed with an even layer of prepared sushi rice. Smooth gently with the rice paddle.
  • Layer salmon, cream cheese, and avocado on the rice, and roll it up tightly. Slice with a sharp knife, and enjoy with soy sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 40mg, Sodium: 92mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Author: Joanne Ozug