Easy Vegan Sushi for Beginners

This homemade vegan sushi recipe 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!

Sushi is one of my all time favorite foods. I have been missing eating out sushi these days. So I thought why not to make it at home? And trust me it is so quick and easy to make it at home.

If you are new to making sushi at home, honestly just follow these steps you’ll get it down in no time!

The rolls that we are going to make is called maki rolls – basically they have seaweed on the outside of the roll. The other type is called uramaki roll or inside-out roll, where the rice is on the outside of the roll and seeweed is on the inside.

I bet you’ll find yourself craving for this versatile Japanese sushi rolls.

What is Vegan/Vegetarian Sushi?

Traditionally sushi is served with raw fish. This vegan/vegetarian version includes nori sheet, rice and choice of your veggies/tofu. You can have it with your choice of dip – it’s that SIMPLE.

What you need to make Sushi?

There are some basic things you will need to make sushi rolls easily.

• Bamboo Mat
• Rice Paddle
• Rice Spreader
• Sharp Knife

You can also just get a sushi making kit.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Cooked sushi rice
• Roasted nori sheets
• Wasabi
• Pickled ginger
• Soy sauce
• Sesame seeds
• Choice of your veggies as filling

You’ll also need a rolling bamboo mat, which is easily available in any local Asian grocery stores or Amazon.

Prepare Sushi Rice

Let’s start with Sushi rice – I cook it in Instant pot. You can also cook sushi rice as mentioned in package directions on the stovetop.

Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand, 2-3 times or until the water is clear. After the rice is rinsed, let the rice drain in a colander or strainer.

Pour in cold water for cooking and the well rinsed & drained rice in Instant Pot. Pressure cook for 5 minutes at high pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release for five minutes before releasing steam manually.

While the rice cooks, mix the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl until blended. Gently heat in microwave or in a pan on stovetop, if needed. For detailed recipe, check out our Instant pot sushi rice recipe.

Once it is cooked place it in a bowl to cool it down. And start slicing the veggies of your choice.

How to Cut Veggies

All the veggies should be thinly sliced – so that they are not hard or crunchy in your roll. It will improve eatability for your roll.

Veggies like cucumber I don’t bother to peel the skin off from them – Just cut into thin slices. You can take out the seeds part of it as well totally on your preference.

For the harder veggies like carrots, bell pepper I prefer steaming them for at-least 1-2 minutes, so that they are not hard while eating and easier to chew. It is totally optional if you like raw veggies go for it.

For avocado and mango make sure you use ripe ones.

How to Make Sushi Rolls

Once all the ingredients are ready, keep a bowl of water with you. Place the nori sheet on bamboo mat.

Note: Place the shiny side facing down of the nori sheet on bamboo mat.

Spread 2/3 cup of rice on the nori sheet. Wet you hands with water – it will prevent the rice to get sticky. Spread it evenly over the nori sheet, leaving 1 inch border at the top, sprinkle some sesame seeds on the rice.

Now layer the filling – choice of your veggies in a line at the bottom of the sheet. Secure the veggies with you fingers while you begin to roll the nori sheet. Slowly start rolling the roll making sure it’s tight enough.

Transfer the roll to a cutting board and cut it into 7 sushi pieces. Sprinkle some sesame seeds.

And serve it with the choice of your dip.

Different dipping sauces

• Vegan mayo with sriracha
• Wasabi
• Soy sauce
• Soy sauce mixed with wasabi
• Japanese teriyaki sauce

I love eating with pickled ginger on the top of the sushi roll and as a dip I prefer soy sauce mixed with wasabi in it. Add wasabi as per you spice level and mix it.

Different filling ideas of Sushi Rolls

Here are some of the other filling ideas for you to try – I usually make these rolls.

1. Sweet potato tempura roll
2. Avocado cucumber mango roll
3. Teriyaki tofu roll

Sweet Potato Tempura Roll filling –

• Sweet potato – cut into thin slices
• All purpose flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Baking powder
• Ice water, as needed
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Avocado

In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, baking powder and ice water. Stir them well and put the batter on the side. In a medium pan, heat the oil on the stovetop, and wait till it is heated well to fry. Once heated, put the sweet potato slices into the batter, coat on all sides and then carefully drop sweet potato slices into the hot oil. Cook until they are crispy enough. Then transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

You can bake sweet potatoes as well in oven or roast it in Air fryer. However it works for you go for it.

Teriyaki Tofu Roll filling

• Teriyaki Tofu – baked (details below)
• Red bell pepper
• Carrot

For Baked Teriyaki Tofu you’ll need

• Extra firm tofu packet – Sliced into strips
• Soy sauce
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Cornstarch
• Pepper

Mix all the ingredients except tofu in a bowl until smooth. Add sliced tofu and marinate, for an hour or two flipping occasionally. Remove it from marinade and preheat the oven to 400 degree and bake for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.

Avocado Cucumber Mango Roll Filling

• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Mango

Tips to make Perfect Sushi Rolls

• Cut the veggies as thin as possible.
• Wet your hands while spreading the rice to the nori as it will prevent sticking it.
• Do not over stuff the rolls, you just need a few strips of veggies and thin layer of rice while rolling.
• Cut the sushi roll with a very sharp knife.

I hope you enjoy making sushi at home. It is such a wonderful family activity, which the whole family including kids can enjoy.