These California Roll Sushi Bowls seriously tasty! I admit it, how many of us are too lazy to make our own sushi at home? Good take-out just makes the choice too easy. Well, that was until today when I finally got around to making these Sushi Bowls 4 years later. I always wanted to know how to make California rolls at home. I had saved a recipe years ago for sushi bowls because I loved the idea and just now after months of having the sushi rice and nori sitting in my pantry I’m finally getting to it – but seriously why did I wait this long??
California Roll Ingredients In A Bowl
How could you go wrong with deconstructed sushi piled high in a bowl (minus the raw fish in this version, so I guess many would say not real sushi but still sushi to me)? It’s destined to be a new go-to weeknight recipe for you!
It’s so easy, just chop everything up and toss it together then serve it individual bowls. No meticulous cutting and rolling just slice it, dice it, dress it and boom! Dinner (or lunch) is served.
What’s In a California Roll?
You get that perfectly sticky sushi rice (which really is so easy to make btw, no need to be intimated) along with all the typical ingredients you’d find in or on a California roll – avocados, cucumbers, crab meat (real or imitation either works), carrots, nori, (which is just that seaweed which sushi is wrapped in) and sesame seeds.
And of course the only way I like to eat my California roll sushi is with that spicy, creamy Sriracha Mayo. If we are going to make it let’s make it right, don’t leave it off.
I guess if you hate heat leave it off, if you love heat be fair with the sriracha a little extra never hurts.
As a side note, I think these would be so fun for a party to serve in mini bowls. Everyone would think you are genius.
I think you could easily get 10 mini servings out of this, just be sure to set aside a few for yourself, they’ll go quick.
Save this recipe and try it out this week, you’ll be so glad you did! These simplified sushi bowls are seriously satisfying and will definitely leave you craving them again and again.
Other Easy Bowl Recipes
- Unstuffed Pepper Bowls
- Rainbow Spring Roll Bowls with Chicken or Shrimp and Peanut Sauce
- Sweet Potato Chick Pea Buddha Bowls with Ginger Tahini Sauce
California Roll Sushi Bowls
Did you make this recipe? Leave a review.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry California Calrose Sushi Rice
- 5 Tbsp rice vinegar , divided
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tbsp sriracha
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 10 oz imitation crab or lump crabmeat , torn or chopped into small bite size pieces
- 1 1/2 cups diced English cucumber
- 3/4 cup roughly chopped matchstick carrots
- 1 nori sheet , chopped or crumbled into small pieces (add more if you'd like)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp chopped pickled sushi ginger
- 1 large avocado , peeled and diced
- Black and toasted sesame seeds , for garnish
Instructions
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Place rice in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until water runs clear (it will take about 2 minutes of rinsing). Tap bottom of strainer with palm of your hand until water no longer falls from strainer (it should be well drained). Transfer rice to a medium saucepan along with 2 1/4 cups water. Bring mixture to a full boil then reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat, keep covered and let rest 15 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a small saucepan combine 4 Tbsp of the vinegar with the sugar and salt. Heat over medium heat, cook and whisk until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, let cool while rice is resting then pour vinegar mixture over rice and toss to evenly coat.
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In a small mixing bowl whisk together mayonnaise with sriracha. Thin with 1 1/2 tsp of water if desired. Transfer to a sandwich size resealable bag. Set aside.
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In a small mixing bowl whisk together soy sauce and remaining 1 Tbsp vinegar, set aside. In a large mixing bowl gently toss together crab meat, cucumber, carrots, nori, ginger and avocado. Divide prepared rice among 4 or 5 bowls. Top with crab mixture then spoon soy sauce mixture over top of each serving. Cut a small tip from one corner of the resealable bag holding the sriracha mixture, drizzle over each serving. Serve immediately.
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Recipe source: adapted with changes from Whole Foods
laura: Brilliant idea! Since it is still very hot here in south Florida these will be a great new and different idea for next weeks menu. September 7, 2016 at 8:39am
Paige Flamm: Yum!! This is totally getting put on our next menu plan! It looks amazing!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com September 7, 2016 at 9:56am
Melinda | Sprinkle and a Dash: Sheer genius! What a GREAT idea! My son will thank you. September 7, 2016 at 3:27pm
JILL: This is such a great salad. Could I add a suggestion? On the California rolls that we have had they are topped with french fried onions. It is a great addition in my opionion. Thanks for this! Yum September 12, 2016 at 6:23pm
Jaclyn: Yes I love those crispy onion flakes! September 12, 2016 at 9:57pm
Jen: All I can say is WOW!
I made this to bring over for a lunch visit with a friend who had recently given birth (fyi folks, always bring new momma food!!) and we were all blown away!
My husband looked at me and said “I’m never making sushi again!”. It was super easy to make and incredibly impressive to serve. Great recipe! Thank you! October 13, 2016 at 12:32pm
Jaclyn: I’m so glad these bowls were enjoyed Jen! Thanks for your comment! October 13, 2016 at 5:14pm
Krisanne: Wow! It was so delious and easy to make! We used real crab. It is a new favorite in our house. January 4, 2017 at 3:03pm
Jaclyn: I’m so glad you love it! Thanks Krissane! February 16, 2017 at 12:50pm
Danielle Monteiro: Wow this was so easy and incredibly delicious! I used Tuna instead just from personal preference but such a winner. Never would have been brave enough to attempt this without your recipe but now I feel silly because it was so simple and so good. January 12, 2017 at 9:13pm
Jaclyn: I’m so glad you liked it Danielle! Thanks for your comment! January 12, 2017 at 10:32pm
Jeremy: How would this keep in the refrigerator? Or do you have a recipe for a smaller serving size? I mean, I like sushi but 5 servings seems like a lot haha March 6, 2017 at 4:55pm
Jaclyn: You could make most of it in advance and store it in the fridge then add the avocado and spicy mayo later on. It should be a fairly easy to halve though as well. March 6, 2017 at 6:19pm
Alexis: I am in love! I made this to fit my diet which basically just meant cutting down the rice and sugar and replacing it with extra cucumber and crab meat! So versatile! I never even thought to do this and I feel like I have been missing out! Thanks for sharing! May 3, 2017 at 5:56pm
Jaclyn: Great idea! Glad you love it Alexis! May 9, 2017 at 1:29pm
Hannah: This might be a dumb question but should the rice be cool when one serves this or mixes it all together? June 1, 2017 at 10:48am
Mari Lyn: Delicious! I added a sprinkle of unsalted peanuts for added crunch and the nutty flavor my sesame seeds weren’t quite providing. Sooo good. Thank you for the yummy, spicy, freshness, Jaclyn! June 2, 2017 at 6:10pm
Jaclyn: You’re welcome! Glad you loved them! June 13, 2017 at 12:41pm
Marcy: I wonder if you would be able to substitute cream cheese instead of avocado? June 12, 2017 at 5:10pm
Jaclyn: I wouldn’t recommend it. June 13, 2017 at 6:19pm
Wee Ling: Thanks for sharing this recipe. It’s super easy and quick to make and my little girl eats it all up even though she isn’t one who will eat avocado. June 24, 2017 at 1:08am
Jaclyn: So glad she loved it Wee! June 28, 2017 at 12:18pm
Danielle: Do u have to use sushi rice? I’ve made sushi before and I know u have to have for that. But since this is a bowl of rice, does it need to be used? I dont have on hand, but I have regular rice… July 5, 2017 at 12:41pm
Jaclyn: I just prefer it for flavor and texture but regular white rice could be substituted. July 5, 2017 at 5:44pm
Tori: How many does this serve? July 5, 2017 at 11:20pm
Evie Jones: I’m glad I came across this blog post as I’ve been looking for sushi alternatives, rather than just order sushi rolls and sashimi all the time. I try and keep away from adding sugar and mayonnaise to my meals, so I’m hoping I can substitute these? Speaking of Japanese cuisine, if you’re ever in Birmingham, there is a fantastic sushi restaurants called Rofuto that is definitely worth trying out. The food is a little pricey, but highly recommend it for a date night with the other half. Does anyone else know of any amazing sushi places to try in the UK? July 6, 2017 at 2:54am
Hallie H: Would you be able to give me the nutrition facts on this recipe? October 17, 2017 at 4:00pm
Lorraine A Levan: Imitation crab is NOT allium-free! BEWARE! January 1, 2018 at 11:40am
Heather: AMAZEBALLS!!!!!!! January 4, 2018 at 3:57pm
Jaclyn: Thanks Heather! January 8, 2018 at 12:18pm
Nikki: Silly question:::: should this be served with cold rice like the “typical” California roll or served warm? I’m confused. I don’t eat it but my husband and children LOVE Sushi and the California rolls….? January 6, 2018 at 5:17pm
Vera: This is an amazing recipe. I have served it to guests many times and they have all loved it. Making it again right now. Thanks for making sushi SO simple 👍🏻👍🏻 January 31, 2018 at 5:51pm
Jaclyn: Thanks for the great review Vera! February 5, 2018 at 12:23pm
Katie: Made this for my husband and I for dinner tonight. It was a rousing success! Thank you for the recipe. We haven’t had a chance to get sushi recently and this hit the spot. February 26, 2018 at 8:55pm
Jaclyn: So glad you loved it! February 27, 2018 at 1:05pm
Cheryl: Great recipe!! I was looking for something yesterday to make as I am trying to cut back on sugar. Stopped at the store and picked up the stuff and made it right away when I got home. This is going to be a regular for me! Here’s the kicker, ate it as a salad so left out first 4 ingredients and it was great. I kept the 2 sauces in separate containers and used them as dressing. The nori didn’t even get funky. Yum!!! April 30, 2018 at 1:17pm
Jaclyn: Great idea! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Cheryl! May 1, 2018 at 12:44pm