Bring out the sushi chef in you with this easy vegan sushi recipe. These plant-based delights offer a burst of freshness and flavor that’s incredibly satisfying, all while being surprisingly easy to prepare at home.
One of the things I appreciate most about these Japanese-inspired rolls is their versatility. They’re perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions.
When you’re hosting a laid-back weekend brunch or a sophisticated dinner party, vegan sushi is a fantastic choice that can cater to various tastes and dietary preferences.
What sets these vegan rolls apart is the endless array of ingredients that you can use in this recipe. The key to their allure lies in the use of crisp, colorful vegetables, marinated tofu or tempeh, and sometimes even succulent fruits.
These components not only contribute to the stunning visuals but also ensure a delightful variety of textures and tastes with each bite.
When I first introduced my family and friends to homemade these rolls, I was amazed by the enthusiastic response. The beautifully arranged platter sparked curiosity and excitement, and once everyone took that first bite, they were hooked.
The flavors and textures of the fresh ingredients left a lasting impression, and they became a staple at our parties and gatherings.
So, if you’re looking to add a touch of novelty to your culinary repertoire, these vegan sushi rolls are a must-try.
Not only are they a joy to make and a treat for the palate, but they also serve as a delightful way to impress your vegan and vegetarian friends with a truly unique dining experience.
Easy Vegan Sushi Rolls – Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Now you can make homemade sushi at home with this easy guide!
- Making sushi at home ensures that only the freshest ingredients are used.
- You can impress your friends and family during potlucks or parties.
Ingredients For Vegan Sushi Recipe:
This recipe is for 4 / 5 people.
*Sushi Rice:
- 2 cups Sushi Rice
- 2 cups Water
- 1/2 cup Rice Vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
Notes:
1 cup of sushi rice will allow you to make approximately 4 to 5 rolls. 1 sushi roll contains between 6 to 8 pieces. 12 to 16 pieces of sushi per guest if you’re only serving sushi for dinner and nothing else.
Vegan Sushi Fillings (Choose your preferred plant-based ingredients):
- 1 Avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 block Marinated tofu or grilled tofu (Cut tofu into strips)
- 3 Pickled cucumbers
- 1 large Glazed carrot, thinly sliced
- ½ Red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- ½ Yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 3 pc Sautéed mushrooms, thinly sliced
- Nori seaweed sheets
- 1/2 cup or 150 g Vegan cream cheese (*optional, it’s delicious already without sauce)
- Toasted sesame seeds
Dipping Sauce:
- Soy sauce
- Wasabi * optional
How to Cook the Sushi Rice (*Perfect Sushi Rice Recipe The Foundation of Great Sushi):
Equipment: saucepan, colander, and a wide flat tray.
- In a large bowl or container, place the sushi rice inside and fill it with tap water. Gently stir the grains in the water for a few seconds and then carefully drain them to prevent losing the grains. You can use a colander to make this process easier. Repeat this process about 6 times or until the water starts running clear.
- After completing the number of rinses, place the rice in a colander. It’s crucial to let the grains rest in the colander for a few minutes to remove excess starch.
- Place the rinsed rice and water in a saucepan with a lid on and bring it to a boil on medium-high heat. When the water starts to boil, reduce the heat to very low and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the rice rest in the saucepan still with the lid on for the next 20 minutes.
- Mix the vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small bowl until the granules are dissolved. After the rice has rested and is at room temperature, spread it out on a large tray and fan it while drizzling the seasoned rice vinegar over it. Leave the rice in the fridge uncovered and let it cool down to a workable temperature (Around 20-30 minutes).
Notes (Ratios for preparing sushi rice: ):
How To Make Vegan Sushi Rolls At Home
- Wet your hands with water to prevent ingredients from sticking. Place a nori sheet on a bamboo mat, and evenly spread the cooked rice over, creating a thin even layer and leaving about a centimeter margin with no rice at one end.
- Then start adding vegan cream cheese on one straight line across the nori sheet. Then arrange the veggies like the cucumber and carrot strips on top of the cheese, evenly distributing them as shown in the pictures.
- Carefully roll the sushi using the sushi mat and create a firm and compact roll. Gently squeeze as you roll along and make sure no ingredients are spilling to the sides. When you reach the end, moisten the exposed edge of the nori sheet with a bit of water from your fingers and tuck the sushi roll close. Repeat the process until the rice, nori, thin strips of veggies, and avocado are used up.
- Place the sushi roll on a tray and cover it with parchment or store it in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- To achieve clean slices, wet your knife and clean off any rice starch or residue that may stick to it. Start by cutting the roll in half and then cut each half into 3 to 4 pieces. Then serve with soy sauce and wasabi on the side.
Note:
Tips, Variations, And Substitutions
🍱 Using a rice cooker to cook sushi rice – If you have a rice cooker or instant pot at home, you can use it to cook your sushi rice with no fuss and no stress.
🍱 Pickled ginger – This will cleanse your palate before the meal. Pickled ginger will also help you taste every ingredient used in your sushi. Serve this on the side.
🍱 Tempeh or tofu – These are both from fermented soybeans and can mimic the meaty element of sushi. They are also a great source of protein.
🍱 Tempura vegetables – If you want to add a crispy element to the roll while still keeping it healthy then this ingredient will work. Tempura veggies are vegetables coated in a light batter and then cooked by deep-frying until golden brown. You can also do this for tofu or white onions.
🍱 Fruits – Aside from avocadoes other fruits can be added to sushi as well. Peach and mangoes are the most common ones you will see.
🍱 Cucumbers – Scrape the seeds off your cucumbers for cleaner-looking cucumber strips.
🍱 Tamari – Aside from soy sauce there are other condiments used to dip your sushi. Tamari and vegan mayo are fantastic vegan-friendly dips you can try.
🍱 Maple syrup – This can be added as a sweetener to your dip and help balance out the flavors of the sushi.
More Japanese Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Vegan Ramen
- Vegan Yakisoba
- Vegan Yaki Udon
- Vegan Zaru Soba
- Japanese Tofu Katsu Curry
- Vegan Seaweed Salad
- 15 Cold Soba Noodle Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is surprisingly easy for beginners. Just prep your ingredients ahead of time and cook the rice properly and you will have no trouble doing this dish. You can even let kids help out, it’s that easy!
Japanese cooking is all about finesse. Cutting veggies thinly makes sure that everything is distributed or cooked evenly and makes everything look uniform.
For beginners, rolling the sushi can be difficult and may lead to rolls that are not uniform. So it is a plus that you have it. You can get one from any Asian grocery store or supermarket at an affordable price.
