California Rolls Recipe (2024)

California Rolls are not just for sushi bars. Make fresh, tasty California rolls at home for a fraction of the price.

These California Rolls are tasty, easy to assemble and so much cheaper than what you can buy at a sushi bar or restaurant. A California Roll is essentially a sushi roll with avocado on the inside, which is my favorite part of the dish. But when you have to pay $14 for a California Roll at your local sushi bar, it’s time to think about making them at home. This recipe is easy to follow and requires just a few ingredients, and once you’ve tried it once or twice, you’ll be making them all the time! Your kids will feel like chefs helping you in the kitchen. They’re fun to make with the family.

What is in a California Roll?

You may have to break off from your typical grocery store and head to your local Asian Market to grab some ingredients for these California Rolls, but I promise it will be worth it! There are so many fun things to see and try at the Asian Market. Here’s what you need:

• Sushi Rice – The key to successfully making this recipe is using a good sticky sushi rice. Lucky for you, we have a fantastic recipe that will guide you through every step of how to make sushi rice. See our Homemade Sushi Recipe. And keep reading below for more information about Sushi Rice.
• Nori – Nori is dry, roasted seaweed made into sheet specifically for sushi. You can either buy Nori sheets at most Asian grocery stores. They’re also useful for spicy tuna rolls and other sushi recipes.
• Japanese Rice Vinegar – I find using Japanese rice vinegar works better with Nori sheets.
• Crab Meat or Imitation Crab Meat – I use imitation crab simply because it is more cost efficient. You can find imitation crab sticks at most Asian markets. However, if you want to use real crab meat, more power to you!
• Avocado – You want your avocado to be ripe, but still firm enough to slice and stay together in the roll.
• Cucumber – Make sure you peel the cucumbers and remove the seeds.
• Sesame Seeds – Toasted sesame seeds get sprinkled on top of the rice in this California Rolls recipe.
• Soy Sauce, Wasabi, and Pickled Ginger Pieces for Serving

• Bamboo Sushi Mats – You can find these for about $1 at the Asian Market. You won’t be able to get a super tight roll with this California Roll recipe if you don’t use a bamboo mat.
• Plastic Wrap – Plastic wrap helps the sushi not to stick to the bamboo mat while you are rolling.
• A Sharp Knife – When you are cutting the sushi rice, you need a really sharp knife to make the clean cuts.
• Chopsticks and Small Bowls – For serving.

More about Sushi Rice

The best rice to make sushi rice is a rice called “sushi rice.” It is a short-grain white Japanese rice or medium-grain California rice. It should say “sushi rice” right on the bag. If you can’t find either of those, Calrose rice works well in a pinch. Be aware that not all rice is created equal. Do not use basmati rice or jasmine rice. Neither of these rices are sticky enough for sushi. I can usually find it at the grocery store, but if you can’t find it there, check your local Asian market.

Ingredients for Sushi Rice

• Uncooked Rice– as explained above.
• Japanese Rice Vinegar –Rice vinegar adds a rich, savory flavor that complements the fish. If you’re in a pinch, substituting apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar is a tasty alternative.
• Sugar– Just basic granulated sugar.
• Salt– Again, just basic iodized salt.

Steps for Making Sushi Rice

1. Rinse your rice in a colander until the water runs clear. Then, let the rice drain in the colander for 1 hour. This step is crucial to the texture of the rice, so don’t skip it!
2. Add rice and water to a rice cooker or a large pot. Cover with a lid and cook. See recipe card below for rice cooker and stove top cooking times.
3. While the rice is cooking, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, but DO NOT let it boil. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
4. When the rice is finished, spread the cooked rice out onto a baking sheet using a wooden spoon or rice paddle. Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and mix until all the rice is coated.
5. Let the rice cool on the baking sheet, flipping every once in a while.
6. When the rice is completely cooled, it is ready to be made into all kinds of sushi!

No Raw Fish in this Sushi

This California Rolls recipe doesn’t contain any raw seafood so I am not afraid to make them at home. I will only eat raw fish if I am at a trusted restaurant, and I am pretty picky about my raw seafood. I don’t dare to prepare it myself unless I know that I am getting it from ocean to my kitchen in less than 12 hours, so as you can probably guess with me living in BOISE, that doesn’t happen too often.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Lay down the bamboo mat and place a piece of plastic wrap over the mat.
2. Place a sheet of nori, shiny side down on top of the plastic wrap. Spread a thin layer of rice onto the nori. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the rice.
3. Flip the sushi over so the nori is on top. Place the fillings onto the nori.
4. Roll the bamboo mat forward, pressing the ingredients inside the cylinder-shaped sushi. Press the bamboo mat firmly with hands, then remove the rolled sushi.
5. Cut the sushi roll with a very sharp knife. You can get even rolls by cutting the roll in half and then cutting each piece in half again until your rolls are the right thickness.
6. Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Rolls

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More Asian Recipes

You can enjoy several other Asian dishes along with your sushi. For example, this Yakisoba (Japanese Stir Fry Noodles). It features bacon and veggies and is so yummy! The balance between bacon and noodles and loads of fresh veggies make this a well-rounded dish. Or you can try these tasty Asian Glazed Pork Kabobs that can be easily thrown on the grill any time of year.

How to Make California Rolls