California and Maki Rolls Japanese Sushi

Bring the art of Japanese cuisine to your kitchen with these irresistible California and Maki Rolls, a perfect introduction to homemade sushi. Featuring vinegared sushi rice layered with fresh, vibrant ingredients like creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and your choice of imitation crab or fresh salmon, this recipe strikes the ideal balance of flavor and texture. Learn the art of rolling sushi with the traditional bamboo mat technique, making both inside-out California rolls sprinkled with sesame seeds and classic Maki rolls wrapped in nori. Whether served with soy sauce, spicy wasabi, or tangy pickled ginger, these sushi rolls offer a satisfying and elegant dining experience. Ideal for sushi enthusiasts, dinner parties, or adventurous home cooks, this step-by-step recipe captures the essence of authentic Japanese sushi while being approachable for beginners.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Sushi rice
• 2.5 cups Water
• 6 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 8 pieces Nori sheets
• 8 Imitation crab sticks
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 medium Avocado
• 4 ounces Fresh salmon or tuna
• 0 optional Soy sauce
• 0 optional Wasabi
• 0 optional Pickled ginger
• 1 Bamboo sushi rolling mat
• 1 Plastic wrap
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch for perfectly sticky rice.

Step 2

Combine the rinsed rice and water in a rice cooker. If you don't have a rice cooker, cook the rice on the stovetop according to package instructions.

Step 3

Once cooked, let the rice sit for 10 minutes. Transfer the hot rice to a large mixing bowl.

Step 4

In a small saucepan, heat the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt over low heat until dissolved. Pour the mixture over the cooked rice and gently fold to combine. Allow the rice to cool completely to room temperature.

Step 5

Prepare the fillings: Slice the cucumber and avocado into thin strips. Flake the imitation crab sticks, and thinly slice the fresh salmon or tuna if using.

Step 6

Lay a sheet of nori, shiny side down, on a bamboo sushi rolling mat covered in plastic wrap.

Step 7

For a California roll, spread a thin, even layer of sushi rice over the nori, leaving about 1 inch of nori uncovered at the top edge.

Step 8

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rice, then flip the nori sheet over so the rice faces down.

Step 9

Place cucumber, avocado, and imitation crab sticks horizontally across the middle of the nori.

Step 10

Using the rolling mat, tightly roll the sushi into a log. Press gently to shape and seal the edge with a little water if needed.

Step 11

For Maki rolls, place a layer of sushi rice on the nori, leaving about 1 inch of nori uncovered at the top edge. Place cucumber, avocado, and salmon or tuna horizontally across the middle.

Step 12

Roll tightly using the bamboo mat, ensuring that it holds its shape.

Step 13

Slice both California and Maki rolls into 6-8 even pieces using a sharp knife dipped in water to prevent sticking.

Step 14

Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger on the side. Enjoy your homemade sushi rolls!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1950.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1550.3

Total Fat 51.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 107.2mg	0%
Sodium 4535.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.9g	0%
Total Sugars 44.6g
Protein 64.3g	0%

Vitamin D 596.5IU	0%
Calcium 232.6mg	0%
Iron 8.6mg	0%
Potassium 2373.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.2%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 54.5%