Here’s a delicious vegetarian sushi recipe that you can easily make at home. This recipe features a variety of fresh vegetables and crispy tofu, making it both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
For the Sushi Rice
- 2 cups sushi rice (medium or short-grain)
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Fillings
- 1 avocado, sliced into strips
- 1 cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
- 2 carrots, sliced into matchsticks
- 7 oz firm tofu, pressed and cut into strips
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sautéed or roasted
- 1 cup sweet potato, cut into matchsticks and roasted
- Optional: sesame seeds for sprinkling
For Serving
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Pickled ginger
- Wasabi (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Sushi Rice
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Cook the Rice: Combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until all water is absorbed. Let it sit covered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Season the Rice: In a small bowl, mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Heat this mixture until the sugar dissolves. Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and gently fold in the vinegar mixture. Allow it to cool.
Prepare the Fillings
- Cook the Tofu: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Add the tofu strips and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 10-12 minutes. Season with soy sauce while cooking.
- Prepare Vegetables: Slice your avocado, cucumber, carrots, and sauté or roast shiitake mushrooms and sweet potato.
Assemble the Sushi Rolls
- Lay Out Nori: Place a sheet of nori shiny side down on a bamboo sushi mat or clean surface.
- Add Rice: With wet hands, spread about 3/4 cup of sushi rice evenly over the nori, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Add Fillings: Lay a few strips of tofu, avocado, cucumber, carrot, sweet potato, and mushrooms horizontally across the rice.
- Roll It Up: Starting from the bottom edge, use the mat to lift and roll the nori over the fillings tightly. Continue rolling until you reach the bare edge of nori; wet this edge with water to seal.
- Cut Rolls: Use a sharp knife dipped in water to cut the roll into bite-sized pieces.
Serve
- Serve your vegetarian sushi with soy sauce or tamari for dipping, along with pickled ginger and wasabi if desired.
Enjoy your homemade vegetarian sushi! It’s perfect for a healthy meal or snack and can be customized with your favorite ingredients.
Here are some easy vegan sushi recipes and tips for beginners, including how to make sushi without a mat, popular fillings, sushi rice preparation, and creative roll ideas.
Easy Vegan Sushi Recipes for Beginners
- Vegetable Roll Sushi
- Ingredients: Sushi rice, nori sheets, avocado, cucumber, carrots, and optional tofu.
- Instructions: Cook sushi rice and let it cool. Place a nori sheet on a surface, spread rice over it, and add your chosen fillings. Roll tightly and slice into pieces.
- Crispy Tofu Sushi
- Ingredients: Sushi rice, nori sheets, firm tofu (pressed and sliced), cucumber, and carrots.
- Instructions: Cook tofu until crispy in a pan. Assemble with rice and veggies on nori, roll tightly, and cut.
- Sweet Potato & Mushroom Rolls
- Ingredients: Sushi rice, nori sheets, roasted sweet potato (cut into matchsticks), shiitake mushrooms (sautéed), avocado.
- Instructions: Prepare rice and fillings as above. Roll with nori and slice.
How to Make Sushi Without a Sushi Mat
- Use Your Hands: Place the nori on a clean surface. Spread the sushi rice over the nori, leaving an inch at the top. Add your fillings at one end.
- Roll by Hand: Tuck the edge of the nori over the fillings and roll tightly while continuing to tuck. Use a little water on the edge of the nori to seal it.
Popular Vegan Sushi Fillings
- Avocado: Creamy texture that pairs well with other ingredients.
- Cucumber: Adds crunch and freshness.
- Carrots: Sweet and crunchy when julienned.
- Tofu: Can be marinated or cooked until crispy.
- Mango: For a sweet twist.
- Pickled Vegetables: Such as pickled radish for tanginess.
How to Make Sushi Rice at Home
- Rinse the Rice: Rinse 2 cups of sushi rice under cold water until clear.
- Cook the Rice:
- Combine rinsed rice with 2 cups of water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Season the Rice:
- Mix 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl until dissolved. Fold this mixture into the cooked rice while it’s still warm. Allow it to cool before using.
Creative Vegan Sushi Rolls
- Rainbow Rolls: Use colorful vegetables like red bell pepper, purple cabbage, and yellow squash along with avocado for a vibrant look.
- Beet & Avocado Rolls: Roast Chioggia beets for a unique flavor and beautiful presentation alongside creamy avocado[5].
- Spicy Tofu Rolls: Add sriracha or spicy mayo to crispy tofu for an extra kick in your rolls.
- Mango & Avocado Rolls: Combine sweet mango slices with creamy avocado for a tropical flavor profile.
These recipes and tips will help you get started on making delicious vegan sushi at home! Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and flavors!