Easy California Roll Recipe

If you love all the flavors and textures of California rolls, you’ve got to try out this sushi bake! It’s so hearty and satisfying, loaded with salmon and crab, all drizzled in flavorful sriracha mayo.

California Roll Sushi Recipe

Why make homemade California rolls? Well, for starters, it’s super easy. Even if you’re not a sushi pro, the instructions break it down step by step. Plus, you can find all the ingredients at your regular grocery store- you may even have some of them at home! And the best part? You get to customize your rolls just the way you like them – extra crab, loads of avocado, you’re the boss! You can even add extra sauces on top. Yuzu sauce, Japanese barbecue sauce, sriracha, whatever you like! Now, let’s talk about the taste of these rolls – they’re like a little slice of sushi heaven. Picture this: creamy crab mixed with mayo, crisp cucumber, and buttery avocado all rolled up in a blanket of sushi rice and nori. It’s a classic flavor pairing and popular for good reason! Dip one of these beauties in some soy sauce, add a dab of wasabi for a kick, and maybe add some pickled ginger for a tangy zing.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s a quick rundown of everything inside a California roll! Feel free to mix and match fillings and sauces. Being able to customize your sushi is one of the best things about making it from scratch! (Exact measurements are in the recipe card below!)

Sushi Rice: This is the heart of your roll, providing that sticky, flavorful base to hold everything together. Nori Sheets: These are like the sushi wrapping paper. They add a slight salty flavor and a bit of crunch. No real substitute here, but you can find nori sheets at most grocery stores or online. Imitation Crab: The star of the show, bringing meaty goodness to the mix. You can also use fresh crab if you wish! Mayonnaise: It adds creaminess and blends beautifully with the crab. If you’re feeling adventurous, try spicy mayo for a kick. Cream cheese can also be used! Avocado: Adds creaminess and a mild flavor to your rolls. English Cucumber: This veggie adds a refreshing crunch. You can swap it for regular cucumber, carrot sticks, or even radish or bell peppers to switch things up.

California Sushi Roll Recipe

Grab that bamboo mat and let’s get rolling! California rolls are surprisingly easy to make and SO delicious! They’ll make everyone a sushi fan.

Prepare Fillings

Shaping and Rolling

Get Creative with Sauces: Experiment with different sauces for dipping or drizzling. Try sweet chili sauce, eel sauce, kewpie mayo, or a mix of soy sauce and sriracha for some extra zing. Try Different Wraps: While traditional California rolls use nori seaweed, you can switch it up with soy paper for a milder flavor or even rice paper for a refreshing, no-seaweed option. Perfect Your Rice: You want to make sure your sushi rice is just right. It should be sticky but not too sticky. Rinse it well before cooking and season it with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. I have a great recipe for sushi rice here!