Sushi Rice Hand Rolls (Printable)

Delicate sushi rice, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and sweet crab wrapped in nori sheets for a fresh, satisfying hand-held treat.

# Ingredient List:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup sushi rice (short-grain Japanese rice)
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
04 - 1 tbsp sugar
05 - 1/2 tsp 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 tbsp mayonnaise (optional, for mixing with crab)
10 - 1 tsp 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

# How to Prepare:

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 - If desired, mix crab meat with mayonnaise for extra creaminess.
05 - Place a half-sheet of nori, shiny side down, on your palm or a bamboo mat. Spread a thin layer (about 2–3 tbsp) 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • These hand rolls give you all the satisfaction of sushi without the pressure of perfect rolling technique - just fold into a cone and enjoy.
  • The combination of creamy avocado, sweet crab, and tangy rice creates a perfect harmony that will make you forget about takeout.
02 -
  • Never refrigerate your finished sushi rice as it will harden and lose its delicate texture - room temperature is perfect.
  • Dampening your hands slightly before handling rice prevents it from sticking to your fingers rather than the nori.
03 -
  • When mixing the seasoned vinegar into hot rice, use a cutting motion with your rice paddle rather than stirring to prevent the grains from becoming mushy.
  • Position fillings closer to the front edge of your nori sheet than you think you should - this makes rolling tighter and prevents filling from escaping the back end.
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