How to Make Sushi at Home

If you love sushi as much as we do, you know that making great sushi is more than meal prep…it’s an art. With a little creativity and our simple guide, you can make delicious sushi right at home. Whether you’re craving a classic California roll or something more complex, we’ve got all the tips, tricks and recipes you need for the ultimate at-home sushi experience.

What is Sushi?

While many of us hear “sushi” and think of raw fish, sushi actually comes from the Japanese word “sushi-meshi,” which means seasoned rice. Short-grain rice is seasoned with vinegar and used to bind ingredients together, creating the classic texture we all know and love. While many types of sushi incorporate raw fish or seafood, there are many popular sashimi-free varieties, like vegetarian rolls, sushi bakes, sushi tempura and more.

Homemade Sushi

To make sushi at home, you’ll need a few tools and ingredients:

Rice

To achieve the perfect texture when making your rice, you’ll need short-grain or medium-grain Japanese rice, or “shari.” This rice is starchier with a stickier consistency, resulting in a tighter sushi roll.

To prepare the rice, start by rinsing it under cold water to remove excess starch. Cook the rice according to the package directions. While the rice is still warm, season it with rice vinegar, salt and sugar. Your rice should be nice and sticky for rolling.

Fillings

Your fillings are an opportunity to have fun and get creative. You can use sashimi, fried shrimp, avocado, cucumber, cream cheese and more. Slice your fillings into thin strips to prepare them for rolling. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with plenty of sushi recipes below.

Nori

These dried sheets of seaweed are used to roll your rice and fillings.

Bamboo Sushi-rolling Mat

A bamboo sushi-rolling mat is the easiest way to ensure a perfect roll, but if you don’t have one handy, you can use foil, parchment paper or plastic wrap to roll your sushi.

Extras

For a restaurant-style experience, serve your sushi with soy sauce and wasabi. Add pickled ginger to cleanse your palate between different types of sushi.

How to Roll Sushi

For classic sushi rolls, start by setting up your rolling station. Lay your mat down on a clean surface and place a sheet of nori on the mat with the shiny side down. With wet hands, spread an even layer of rice on the nori, leaving a small border at the top to seal the roll. Add your fillings on the center of the rice. Lift the edge of the mat and tightly roll the nori and rice over the fillings, pressing the edges to seal. Using a sharpened knife, gently slice the roll. If you want all the flavor of sushi without the rolling, try making a sushi bowl or bake.

Sushi on a Schedule

Short on time? Roll into your participating neighborhood store to find fresh sushi favorites in-store from 11am-7pm daily. If you want to try making sushi at home, you can plan a low-pressure DIY night, rounding out your homemade meal with ready-to-eat dumplings, ceviche, sashimi, fresh spring rolls and more. Have your order delivered with Instacart, or stop in for even more inspiration. Check your neighborhood store for more information about fresh sushi options.

Make More of Your Favorites at Home

Ready to make more of your favorite meals at home? Visit our blog for even more fresh, homemade inspiration, like meal planning, recipes and more.