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    Home » Asia » Japan » 16 Different Sushi Recipes

    16 Different Sushi Recipes

    Published on May 26, 2022 Modified: May 24, 2022 by Melissa Torres This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Homemade sushi rolls, an absolute staple in Japanese cuisine, are the best treat to make for yourself. But there is a lot to consider when making homemade sushi! This article will teach you about making sushi at home and will also give you suggestions for some of the best recipes to try out.

    Sliced up rainbow sushi bites ready to serve.

    Sushi at its core is made with three simple ingredients: raw fish, a nori sheet, and sushi rice. But, as anyone that’s frequented sushi restaurants will tell you, there are so many popular sushi rolls that come from those three ingredients!

    This article will teach you all about each different type of sushi, some important things you’ll need to know so that you can make sushi at home, and finally will give you 16 sushi roll recipes that you can make in your own kitchen!

    5 Main Types of Sushi 

    Before we get started, it’s important to know that there is not just one variation of sushi. Instead, these terms are used to describe different styles of dishes you will find served at sushi bars! Some of these terms/items don’t always come with a description on the menu. Familiarize yourself with them now so that you can be confident in what you’re ordering later.

    Sashimi 

    Sashimi is simply a piece of fish, shellfish, or meat (like eel) on its own. It is not served with rice, toppings, or other ingredients. This is for fish purists, who want to experience the meat entirely on its own.

    Nigiri 

    Nigiri is when a mound of sushi rice is topped with an ingredient, usually fish or shellfish. Nigiri can be served cooked, but is usually served raw. 

    There are not typically dressings or toppings on nigiri, which makes it a good option for people who want to experience the flavors of the fish or the shellfish + rice on their own. 

    Maki 

    Maki is the traditional sushi roll that most people think of when they think of sushi. It is made by rolling rice, protein, and vegetables inside seaweed. 

    Maki is typically sliced into 6-8 individual servings and can be easily shared. 

    Uramaki

    Uramaki is often referred to as “inside out” sushi. In uramaki rolls, the fillings are wrapped in seaweed and then the rice is on the outside of the roll. The rice is often covered in toppings, sauces, or more fish. 

    Uramaki is typically sliced into 6-8 servings and can be easily shared. 

    Temaki 

    Temaki is sushi that has been rolled into a cone shape, also known as a hand roll. A large piece of nori seaweed is wrapped around sushi rice, vegetables, and fish or shellfish. 

    Temaki is typically served for one person and is difficult to share. 

    What is the Difference Between Sushi, Sashimi, and Nigiri? 

    As described above, sashimi is simply a piece of fish (usually raw) or other meat that is eaten entirely by itself. Nigiri is a piece of fish or shellfish served over a bed of sushi rice. 

    Sushi is an umbrella term that describes a roll made of fish or seafood, sushi rice, toppings, vegetables, and other ingredients. There are three different types of sushi: 

    • Maki (seaweed on the outside, rice and fillings on the inside)
    • Uramaki (rice and toppings on the outside, filings on the inside)
    • Temaki (seaweed rolled into a cone shape and stuffed with fillings)

    Sushi FAQs

    The 3 Main Ingredients in Sushi 

    Sushi can be stuffed full of pretty much anything you can think of. But, of course, most sushi rolls feature 3 things: 

    Sushi Rice
    Nori Seaweed Sheets
    Fish or seafood 

    What to Serve Alongside Sushi

    Things like wasabi paste, pickled ginger, soy sauce are great options for what to serve alongside your homemade sushi.

    What Makes Sushi Rice Sticky?

    Sushi rice is made using short grain Japanese rice that is flavored with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.

    The shorter the grains of rice, the more starch is in the rice. That is why short grain white rice is perfect for sushi rice. The starch in the rice makes the grains stick together and also holds the rest of the toppings and ingredients in place, too. 

    Toppings and Fillings for Sushi

    The list of toppings you can put in your sushi can be endless, but here are some good ideas: 

    • Fruits: Mango, avocado, pineapple 
    • Vegetables: Cucumber, carrots, sweet potato, green onions 
    • Meats: Tuna, salmon, yellowtail shrimp, spicy crab, imitation crab meat (crab sticks), tofu, egg
    • Sauces: Hot sauce, mayonnaise, eel sauce, sriracha sauce, spicy mayonnaise
    • Toppings/Fillings: Masago, cream cheese, tempura, fish roe, sesame seeds

    Combining these ingredients and more means that there are so many different sushi rolls that you can make. Below I have listed 16 Different Sushi Recipes, that will teach you how to make everything from maki rolls to sushi donuts. 

    Tools Needed to Make Sushi at Home

    When making sushi at home, it’s important to have a few different tools that will make your process much simpler:

    • Sushi Mat: In Japanese, this is called a makisu. It is a bamboo mat that is connected by cotton strings. The ingredients are laid on top of the mat and then the mat is rolled, effectively forming the perfect sushi shape you see in your carryout container!
    • Plastic Wrap: Plastic wrap is particularly helpful when you are making an uramaki roll (an inside out roll). Uramaki rolls are rolled with rice on the outside, so putting plastic wrap down on the bamboo keeps is clean and free from the sticky rice.
    • Sharp Knife: A knife is important both while you’re assembling the sushi and after it’s done. You can use a sharp knife to cut your fish into thin slices, especially when it’s used as a topping for an uramaki roll. It will also be helpful to cut any filling or topping ingredients into small pieces.
    • Rice Cooker (optional): You do not need a rice cooker to make sushi, but it certainly doesn’t hurt! You can also make the sushi rice at home using these instructions.

    What is Sushi Grade Fish?

    It is important to make sure that you are buying sushi grade fish when making a sushi recipe at home. This means that the fish has been labeled safe to eat raw at home without the risk of parasites.

    Most markets will have tuna and salmon that are labeled this way, but you are also able to find other options as well. Still, if you are making homemade sushi for the first time, this can be an overwhelming hurdle… It doesn’t need to be!

    Pick a local Asian grocery store that you trust. They should have a fish counter that sells prepared sushi-grade (also labeled sashimi-grade) fish. Make sure that the fish is fresh and that it is labeled properly. This will be the perfect fish to choose when making your very first roll!

    If you’re unsure what to pair with your sushi and want something more to accompany it, check out this list of foods that I pair with fish ceviche because these 19 different side dish recipes would accompany sushi perfectly.

    So now, without further ado, here are 16 Different Sushi Recipes to Make at Home!

    Sushi Recipes

    Traditional Maki Sushi

    White serving platter filled with traditional maki sushi and a pair of chopsticks sitting on the end.

    Everyone we make sushi with is amazed how easy the process really is. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s learn what maki is and make some homemade sushi (from Curious Cuisiniere)! 

    Read More

    Futomaki Roll

    A futomaki roll sliced into bite sized pieces and placed on a rectangular white serving platter.

    Learn how to make Futomaki or Maki Sushi (from Just One Cookbook), a traditional thick and fat sushi roll filled with colorful ingredients. You can make this sushi roll ahead of time and bring it to festivals, potlucks, or picnics.

    Read More

    Dragon Roll

    Dragon roll slices on a white serving platter.

    The dragon roll sushi (from Masala Herb) is a showstopper and it tastes amazing!

    Read More

    Spicy Tuna Roll

    Spicy tuna roll on a white plate with a side of dark brown sauce and chopsticks laying next to the plate.

    Skip the sushi restaurants and make Crunchy Spicy Tuna Rolls (from Foodie and Wine) at home! This spicy tuna roll recipe is filled with fresh sashimi-grade ahi tuna, creamy avocado, a crunchy Panko topping, seasoned sushi rice, and a flavorful Sriracha sauce.

    Read More

    Rainbow Roll

    This uramaki sushi is a Japanese-American creation that is as fun to make as it is to eat! The inside of your sushi will be filled with crab, avocado, and cucumber, and then wrapped in seaweed and sushi rice. Your roll will be topped with mango slices, avocado, salmon, and tuna to achieve a beautiful rainbow effect.
    Read More

    Shrimp Tempura Roll

    Shrimp tempura roll bites placed on a yellow platter with a pair of chopsticks on the edge of the plate.

    This recipe for shrimp tempura roll (from Dinner At The Zoo) is crispy shrimp with avocado and cucumber, all wrapped up in seasoned rice. Making sushi at home is actually quite fun and easy to do!

    Read More

    Tiger Roll

    A complete tiger roll sitting a top a green leaf on a black matte serving platter.

    Making your own Tiger sushi roll (from Half Scratched) at home is a total joy and way cheaper than ordering it at any Japanese restaurant, most of the ingredients can be found either online or at your local grocery store.

    Read More

    Philadelphia Roll

    Red chopsticks picking up a bite of Philadelphia roll from a glass blue flowered plate.

    The Philadelphia Roll (from Peas and Crayons) is one of our favorites! Also called Philly Rolls and Japanese Bagel Rolls, these tasty homemade sushi rolls are super simple and only require a few ingredients to make!

    Read More

    California Roll

    Hand holding a chef's knife to cute into California rolls and make them bite sized.

    California rolls (from What A Girl Eats) are a great introduction to the wonderful world of sushi, especially for people who are a bit squeamish about eating raw fish.

    Read More

    Sushi Hand Roll (Temaki)

    Hand holding up a sushi hand roll.

    Sushi Hand Roll (from The Wooden Skillet) – a simple tutorial (with step-by-step photos) on how to make a delicious sushi hand roll at home. Option to add any filling ingredients you want – get creative!

    Read More

    Cucumber Sushi Roll

    Small white plate with a set of chopsticks on the cutting board next to it and cucumber sushi rolls a top the plate.

    These gluten-free cucumber sushi rolls (from Feel Good Foodie) are so easy to make and they are such a colorful and pretty appetizer. Filled with fresh veggies and a seasoned cream cheese.

    Read More

    Nigiri Recipes

    Nigiri Sushi

    A couple of nigiri slices on a green plate.

    An easy and complete homemade Nigiri (from Izzy Cooking) tutorial with lots of tips and tricks. Unlike Maki sushi, nigiri isn’t rolled. Instead, it’s comprised of a thin slice of raw or cooked seafood like salmon or shrimp atop a mound of vinegary rice. You’ll learn everything about Japanese nigiri including the difference between nigiri and sashimi, and how to make perfect nigiri at home.

    Read More

    Unagi Nigiri

    Chopsticks sitting next to Unagi Nigiri piece on a small white plate with additional pieces on a serving plate behind it.

    Unagi Nigiri (from Sift & Simmer) is a Japanese sushi made with BBQ or grilled freshwater eel on top of hand-formed sushi rice. It has a sweet and salty flavour with a rich, meaty texture.

    Read More

    Variations on Typical Sushi

    Sushi Bowls

    These Salmon Sushi Bowls (from Chef Savvy) have all of the flavors you love about a sushi roll all piled up into a bowl and drizzled with spicy mayo and eel sauce! This easy salmon bowl is loaded with flavor!

    Read More

    Sushi Donuts

    Sushi donuts with all variations of toppings shown.

    You will LOVE this simple Vegetable Sushi Donuts Recipe (from Recipes From A Pantry) made with only 5 ingredients!!! These are such good fun for kids big and small to whip up.  Suitable for vegan and gluten free diets.

    Read More

    Keto Sushi

    Keto sushi on a plate with a set of chopsticks perched next to it.

    Skip the expensive sushi restaurant and make low-carb keto California rolls (from Keto Focus) at home with this easy recipe you can make in less than 30 minutes.

    Read More

    Vegan Sushi

    This homemade vegan sushi recipe (from Piping Pot Curry) is SO tasty and just perfect for beginners to learn how to roll sushi easily. You can put all your favorite ingredients into your perfect custom roll — here’s how!

    Read More
    Pinterest graphic for 16 different sushi recipes.

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