Soy-Free Classic California Sushi Roll

Say goodbye to soy-based sauces with this irresistibly fresh Soy-Free Classic California Sushi Roll! Perfectly seasoned sushi rice forms the foundation of this vibrant dish, featuring crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and tender imitation crab—all encased in nutty nori sheets and crowned with a sprinkle of black sesame seeds. This recipe is an allergy-friendly twist on the beloved sushi roll, offering light, clean flavors without compromising on authenticity. With step-by-step instructions for achieving the ideal rice texture and mastering the art of rolling, this homemade sushi is easy enough for beginners and impressive enough for any gathering. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect quick, healthy, and flavorful meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 3

Ingredients

• 1 cup sushi rice
• 1.25 cups water
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3 sheets nori sheets
• 6 sticks imitation crab meat
• 1 avocado
• 1 cucumber
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and 1.25 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the rice from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to allow it to steam.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 5

Transfer the cooked rice to a wooden or plastic bowl and fold in the vinegar mixture gently with a spatula. Cover with a damp cloth and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 6

Peel the cucumber and cut it into long, thin strips, removing seeds if necessary. Peel and slice the avocado into thin strips as well.

Step 7

Lay a bamboo sushi mat on a flat surface and place a sheet of plastic wrap over it.

Step 8

Place a nori sheet, glossy side down, on the plastic wrap.

Step 9

With wet hands, spread about a third of the seasoned rice evenly over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border at the top.

Step 10

Sprinkle a few black sesame seeds evenly over the rice.

Step 11

Flip the nori so that the rice side is down, and place two imitation crab sticks, avocado slices, and cucumber strips along the bottom edge of the nori.

Step 12

Using the sushi mat to assist, roll the sushi tightly from the bottom, tucking the filling in as you go.

Step 13

Once rolled, gently squeeze the roll to compact it, then slice into 6-8 pieces with a sharp knife.

Step 14

Repeat the process with the remaining nori sheets and fillings.

Step 15

Serve your Soy-Free Classic California Sushi Rolls immediately with pickled ginger and wasabi, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1034.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	824.1

Total Fat 28.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 33.6mg	0%
Sodium 2174.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 122.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.9g	0%
Total Sugars 26.6g
Protein 25.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 193.8mg	0%
Iron 4.9mg	0%
Potassium 1324.1mg	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: 30.2%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 57.8%