Easy Homemade California Rolls
These easy California rolls are filled with creamy avocado, imitation crab, and crisp cucumber, wrapped in seasoned sushi rice and toasted nori. A classic homemade sushi option that’s beginner-friendly, fun to make, and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 cups Japanese short or medium grain rice
- 2½ cups cold water
- 5 tbsp sushi vinegar or homemade: 4 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tsp sea salt
- ½ lb imitation crab meat
- 1 ripe avocado
- ½ medium cucumber julienned
- Toasted nori sheets
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Sushi mat or parchment paper
Optional for Serving
- Soy sauce
- Wasabi paste
- Spicy mayo 1 tbsp mayo + 1 tsp sriracha
Instructions
- Rinse rice until water runs clear. Drain.
- Cook rice with water using stovetop or rice maker.
- Combine vinegar, sugar, and salt over low heat. Cool.
- Stir vinegar mix into warm rice.
- Prep crab, avocado, cucumber, sesame, and wrap sushi mat.
- Spread rice on half a nori sheet (shiny side down), flip.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://wimpysdiner.net/easy-homemade-california-rolls/
Notes
- Use short or medium grain rice only—long grain rice won’t hold together well.
- Keep a bowl of water nearby to keep your hands wet—this prevents rice from sticking while spreading or rolling.
- Let the rice cool to room temperature before rolling; hot rice can tear the nori.