Sushi Rice Hand Rolls (Printable)

Fresh nori cones filled with seasoned sushi rice, avocado, cucumber, and crab for a handheld Japanese favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup sushi rice (short-grain Japanese rice)
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Fillings

06 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
07 - 1/2 English cucumber, julienned
08 - 4 oz cooked crab meat (real or imitation), shredded
09 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)
10 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)

→ Wrapping

11 - 4 sheets nori (roasted seaweed), halved

→ Accompaniments

12 - Soy sauce, for serving
13 - Pickled ginger, for serving
14 - Wasabi, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
02 - Combine rice and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
03 - In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the cooked rice. Cool rice to room temperature.
04 - Mix crab meat with mayonnaise for extra creaminess, if desired.
05 - Place a half-sheet of nori, shiny side down, on your palm or a bamboo mat. Spread a thin layer (about 2–3 tablespoons) of sushi rice diagonally across one corner.
06 - Layer avocado, cucumber, and crab on top of the rice. Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
07 - Roll the nori into a cone shape, starting from the rice-filled corner and rolling tightly. Seal the edge with a few grains of rice.
08 - Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 8 hand rolls.
09 - Serve immediately with soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get to customize every single roll to exactly what sounds good in that moment
  • The rice stays perfectly seasoned and the contrast of cool fillings against warm rice is absolutely magic
02 -
  • Wet your hands slightly before handling rice or you will end up with rice stuck to every finger and palm
  • The nori softens quickly once the rice touches it, so assemble and eat immediately for the best texture
03 -
  • Make the rice ahead and keep it covered with a damp cloth. It actually needs to cool completely before using.
  • If your nori sheets seem stiff, hold them over the steaming rice for about 2 seconds before rolling.
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