Vegan sushi is a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite flavors without breaking your dietary restrictions. Even if you’re not vegan, this recipe will make you feel just as satisfied and happy as you want!

I always try to write useful stuff. I published some recipes a while back, and they’re still one of my most visited posts. It’s time for some updates!

Sushi is no doubt the most popular vegetarian cuisine, which has become popular very quickly all around the world.

Like most people, I discovered the joy of sushi at a fairly young age and couldn’t get enough. Then, of course, I had to find out how to make vegan sushi myself because of my diet.

Yes! Now you can make this Vegan Sushi Recipe at home; they are flavorful and easy to prepare with step-by-step photos instructions. The colorful bell peppers add a sweet, fruitier flavor that perfectly complements the sushi rice, fresh homemade pickled ginger, and nori sheets. And the creamy avocado fills out each bite with a velvety texture that will leave you wanting more (trust me, I know).

Vegan sushi is not only delicious and healthy but also fun to make. This can be eaten as a meal of its own or great as an appetizer to a special meal.

Copycat Trader Joe’s Japanese Fried Rice, and Vegan Teriyaki Meatballs.

If you’re already vegan or currently transitioning, this is one recipe you’ll love having in your arsenal. We hope it becomes a family favorite for years to come!

Scroll down for the detailed recipe, but I suggest you don’t skip the information included in the blurb.

Veggie Sushi Rolls

For the past 9 years, I have had to entertain many people from many different ethnic backgrounds due to my husband’s work at a missionary college with students from all over the world.

Fortunately, many of them have shared with me and taught me to make their traditional dishes; I then researched and experimented with many ethnic dishes then, included my own touch, of course.

What Types Of Sushi Are Vegan?

I learned about 3 different types of sushi.

Maki Rolls are made of rice and filling wrapped in seaweed.
Uramaki Rolls are similar to maki rolls, except the seaweed is wrapped around the filling, and the rice is on the outside. Also known as California Rolls.
Temaki Rolls are seaweed wrapped as cones with the filling on the inside.

Vegan sushi is made of vegetables, pickled ginger, and Ponza sauce rolled in nori sheets.

How To Make Vegan Sushi?

To make homemade sushi rolls, make rice, and prepare vegetables. Combine lemon juice, sugar, black sesame seeds, salt, add to cooked rice, and marinate for 5 minutes.

Using a bamboo mat or tea towel, place a nori sheet with the shiny side down. Spread rice over nori sheets, leaving a 1/2 inch clear space at the top and bottom. Arrange vegetables roll vegetables into a cylinder. Using the mat as your guide, roll tightly, then cut with a wet knife.

It’s best to use glutinous rice, sushi rice, or sweet rice for the sushi. I used medium grain brown rice, though, with great results.

To cook brown rice, I cooked it with 2 cups of water for each cup of sushi rice. Rinse brown rice and add cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes; turn off the heat and allow to sit covered for 15 more minutes.

Sushi Fillings

I also made Ponzu sauce with lemon juice, coconut aminos, and maple syrup. I used raw coconut aminos as a substitute for soy sauce (it’s Gluten-free). Many soy sauces contain wheat and preservatives, a great gluten-free alternative.

It also contains 63% less sodium than soy sauce, and because it’s made from coconut, it’s also soy-free. It is also raw and unfermented.

I made fresh pickled ginger (Gari) using maple syrup, lemon juice, and beet juice for the coloring. Traditionally, artificial red food coloring is used in pickled ginger (Also, check out my Perfect Pink Lemonade that doesn’t use artificial red food coloring.

For the filling, you can add any vegetables you like; I used bell peppers, avocado, cucumber. You can also check out my Raw Vegan Sushi recipe.

Dips For Vegan Sushi

Another feature of cooking sushi at home that I enjoy is the range of dips possible. Anything goes, so have fun with it! Here are some of my personal favorites, both traditional and non-traditional:

Ponzu sauce
Pickled ginger
Soy sauce/Tamari
Tahini sauce
Soy sauce/tamari combined with wasabi paste
Fresh wasabi root (a must-try if you’ve never had it; many sushi restaurants keep it hidden in the back)
Chili garlic sauce
Spicy cilantro cream sauce (Mix anything with the base of this!)
Vegan buffalo sauce
Vegan teriyaki sauce
Peanut sauce
Vegan remoulade
Sautéed green onions with garlic and soy sauce/Tamari

Recipe Notes

Wash your hands before you touch any vegetables; use mild soap and warm water.
It’s best to use a bamboo sushi roller for this recipe for the easiest way to make it – but you can also use a rolling mat and even just a chopping board to do the job.
While spreading the rice over your nori sheets, wet your spoon – it will make things a lot easier, I promise.
While cutting sushi pieces, occasionally dip the knife in water to prevent sticking.
If you can’t find the nori sheet, you can substitute it with rice paper. Nori is a Japanese, edible seaweed that’s typically used to make sushi.
The most important thing to remember when making sushi is to use good-quality rice.
The measurements of the rice and water are a guide only. If you find it too dry, add more water, or if it is too wet, add more rice. The mixture should be sticky but not mushy.
Slowly roll the sushi to ensure that it is rolled uniformly.
Make sure the sushi rolls aren’t overstuffed.
I have used cucumber, avocado, and bell peppers in my recipe, but you can use whatever takes your fancy. The best part about this recipe is that you can add whatever veggies you want to add and make it your own!
Tofu that has been pressed (firm/extra firm) can also be used. Before adding, cut into small strips and sauté to give it a lovely crispy exterior. If you like to make it even faster and easier, you may add raw tofu.
Other plant-based proteins, such as tempeh, can also be used here!
This recipe can make enough sushi for 3-4 people, but you can double or triple the quantities if you’re cooking for a crowd.

How To Make Sushi With Kids?

Sushi-making may be an enjoyable family activity, at least until the small child begins throwing the filling materials at his brothers. Simply drink some sake at that point.

However, before it occurs, here are some enjoyable methods to involve the children:

Allow everyone to choose their favorite filling options.
Then, place all of the filling selections in bowls or stacks where they will be easy to reach.
Give nori sheets to each child and assist them in spreading the rice on top, as this can be difficult for small children.
Give bowls or baskets to each kid and allow them to choose their preferred filling ingredients.
Have them line up on the rice-covered nori sheet at one end.
To ensure a tight roll, cover your hand with theirs.
Allow them to choose from a variety of dips to go with their creations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Name: Vegan Sushi Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 cups Japanese Sushi rice cooked; 2 lemons juiced; 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar; 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds; 1 teaspoon salt; 6 nori sheets; 1/2 red bell pepper cut into strips; 1/2 orange bell pepper cut into strips; 1/2 yellow bell pepper cut into strips; 1 avocado thinly sliced; 1/2 cucumber seeded and cut into strips; 1/2 cup ginger thinly sliced; 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon beet finely grated; 1 tablespoon water; 1/3 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminoes); 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 3 scallions finely chopped (green part only); 1 small red onion (1 shallot); pinch Cayenne pepper

Is California Roll Vegan?

No, California roll includes imitation crab. Imitation can contain ground-up fish. Alternatives to imitation crab are hearts of palm, tofu, jackfruit, and artichoke hearts.

How Can I Make Vegan Sushi?

Sushi can be made in a variety of ways using vegan-friendly ingredients. Here are a few of the most typical:

Vegetables, raw
Pickled and marinated vegetables serve as a fish substitute.
Tofu
Tempura-style fried vegetables
Vegetables Baked
Mock meats

Is Vegan Sushi Nutritious?

Vegetarian sushi is made with a wide range of ingredients, so the health benefits are highly dependent on the ingredients used. Avocado, carrot, cucumber, and tofu are all popular choices. Sushi made with these foods is extremely healthy and nutrient-dense, so it can help you stay in better shape.

Are These Gluten-Free Rolls?

Yes, these can be made gluten-free rolls by using coconut amino instead of soy sauce. In addition, you can make these gluten-free by using tamari.

Sushi Serving Ideas for Vegans

I like to top my vegan sushi with pickled ginger and sesame seeds, which complements the marinated beets’ gingery flavor. It’s delicious on its own, but it’s even better with a dipping sauce. Serve it with soy sauce, tamari, or a creamy vegan mayo-sriracha mixture.

How To Store Vegan Sushi?

It is best to eat sushi immediately after it is ready. If you have any leftovers, pack sushi in a container with a tight-fitting lid, or wrap them in plastic wrap and store them for about 3 days in the refrigerator. If you aren’t planning on eating the entire batch, I recommend leaving the avocado out of the filling because it will turn black if stored.

Is It Possible To Freeze Sushi?

Sushi should not be frozen, in my opinion. Sushi rice, unfortunately, freezes poorly. After freezing, it takes on a rubbery texture. Nori sheets will shed their freshness, and the avocado will possibly turn into black mush.

As a result, always eat sushi when it’s fresh!

What Is Nori (Seaweed Sushi)?

Nori is a type of dried seaweed sheet made from red algae that dry to a dark green color. It’s commonly used as a sushi wrapper, snack wrapper, or seasoning wrapper. Nori is a Japanese seaweed that comes in a 7′′ x 8′′ sheet and is commonly used for sushi rolls and rice balls.

What Is The Taste Of Nori Sheets?

Despite the fact that Nori isn’t a common food, it has a seaweed flavor. It’s part of the umami family of foods, which means “delicious” in Japanese. Nori has a briny, smoky flavor with a strong saltiness.

Is Nori Vegan?

Nori seaweed is a vegan.

This makes it good for vegans because some vegans don’t get enough vitamin A and B12. So go ahead and eat your nori sheets guilt-free!

Where To Buy Nori Sheets?

These are readily available at all grocery stores and are pretty inexpensive! If everything else fails, they’re almost certainly available on Amazon.

Can You Make Sushi With Brown Rice?

Yes! Instead of typical Japanese sushi rice, Brown rice could make for a healthier variant. Simply prepare it in the same manner as white rice.

Is Cauliflower Rice Good For Vegan Sushi?

Sushi made with cauliflower rice is a great way to avoid carbs while still enjoying sushi. It’s a great low-carb option that doesn’t require any cooking. Use cauliflower rice instead of rice for a quick and easy meal.

Cauliflower rice sushi will taste a little different from traditional sushi, but it’s still a great alternative to rice. Also, it’s very healthy!

Is It Possible To Make Sushi Without Rice?

Quinoa can be substituted for rice in a variety of dishes. This is something we do all the time. Toss in the quinoa with the rice vinegar and sugar combination. Because quinoa is so sticky, I believe it is even easier to prepare sushi with it than with rice. It’s also high in vitamins and minerals.

Can Sushi Help You Lose Weight?

Sushi is frequently regarded as a healthy weight-loss option. Many types of sushi often contain high-fat sauces and deep-fried tempura batter, increasing the calorie content significantly. Furthermore, each piece of sushi usually only has a small number of vegetables in it.

Bottom Lines!

Don’t let your dietary restrictions keep you from enjoying sushi!

These vegan rolls are so tasty and filling you’ll never miss the typical ones.

Try them out for yourself tonight!

And, please let me know what your favorite sushi filling is!

If you like and enjoy this recipe, please leave a comment to let me know about your feedback.

Other Vegan Japanese-Style Recipes

Nutrition

(Per portion)

Energy: 60 kcal / 251 kJ
Fat: 2 g
Protein: 2 g
Carbs: 11 g

Cook Time

Preparation: 10 min
Cooking: 30 min
Ready in: 40 min

For: 35 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups Japanese Sushi rice, cooked
2 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
1 teaspoon salt
6 nori sheets
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 orange bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 avocado, thinly sliced
1/2 cucumber, seeded and cut into strips

Fresh Pickled Ginger

1/2 cup ginger, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon beet, finely grated
1 tablespoon water

Ponzu Sauce

1/3 cup soy sauce, (or coconut aminoes)
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 scallions, finely chopped (green part only)
1 small red onion, (1 shallot)
pinch Cayenne pepper

Instructions

Wash 1 cup rice and bring to boil with 2 1/4 cups water, reduce heat on lowest and simmer for about 45 minutes until water is absorbed. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
Combine lemon juice, sugar, black sesame seeds and salt.
Add to rice, stir well and set aside to marinate for 5 minutes.
On a bamboo sushi mat, place a sheet of nori with the shiny-side down. Spread rice over nori sheets, leaving a 1/2 inch clear space at the top and bottom.
Arrange red bell pepper, yellow and orange peppers in an even strip horizontally starting from the side nearest you.
Arrange cucumber alongside bell peppers, then arrange avocado slices on top.
Holding the mat and the edge of the nori sheet nearest to you, roll into a cylinder. Use the mat as your guide, roll tightly so that it sticks together and encloses the filling tightly.
Transfer roll seam side down onto a cutting board, use a wet knife to cut each roll into six pieces and stand them into a serving platter.
Garnish with fresh pickled ginger and serve with Ponzu sauce.