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Sushi Bowl Recipe

Sushi Bowl (Easy, Fresh & Better Than Takeout!)

This customizable deconstructed sushi bowl layers seasoned sushi rice with fresh fish or tofu, crunchy vegetables, creamy avocado, and a savory-spicy sauce for an easy, healthy, weeknight-friendly sushi experience without any rolling.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Fusion, Japanese
Servings 4 bowls

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups short-grain sushi rice uncooked; look for bags labeled “sushi rice” or “short-grain Japanese rice”
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar unseasoned, if possible, for rice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar for seasoning the sushi rice
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt for seasoning the sushi rice
  • 8 ounces sushi-grade salmon skin removed, cut into small cubes
  • 8 ounces sushi-grade tuna cut into small cubes
  • 14 ounces extra-firm tofu pressed to remove excess moisture and cubed; use instead of fish for vegetarian bowls
  • 8 ounces cooked shrimp or crab meat optional, for extra seafood variety
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free; for marinade/sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar for marinade/sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or other hot sauce more for a spicier bowl
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise Kewpie if available; for marinade/sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar to balance the saltiness in the sauce
  • 1 large avocado sliced or cubed
  • 1 cup cucumber thinly sliced or cut into matchsticks; Persian or English cucumbers work best
  • 1 cup carrots shredded or thinly sliced
  • 1 cup edamame cooked, cooled, and shelled
  • 2 sheets nori seaweed cut into thin strips or crumbled; seaweed snack strips also work
  • 2-3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds white, black, or a mix
  • pickled ginger optional, for serving
  • wasabi paste optional, for serving
  • extra soy sauce or tamari optional, for drizzling at the table
  • furikake seasoning optional Japanese rice seasoning with seaweed and sesame
  • lime or lemon wedges optional, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the sushi rice under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer, swishing with your hand, until the water runs mostly clear to remove excess starch. Add the rinsed rice and 2 1/4 cups water to a pot or rice cooker. If using a pot, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 15–18 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes to finish steaming.
    2 cups short-grain sushi rice, 2 1/4 cups water
  • While the rice cooks, stir together 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Transfer the hot cooked rice to a wide bowl. Drizzle the vinegar mixture over the rice and gently fold using a cutting and turning motion to avoid smashing the grains. Let the seasoned rice cool to warm or room temperature so it doesn’t wilt the toppings.
    3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Cut the sushi-grade salmon and tuna into small bite-sized cubes. If using tofu, press it between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel for 15–20 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cube it. If desired, lightly sear the tofu in a little oil for browned edges, or leave it plain for a lighter bowl. If using cooked shrimp or crab, ensure it is fully cooked, cooled, and cut into bite-sized pieces if large.
    8 ounces sushi-grade salmon, 8 ounces sushi-grade tuna, 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, 8 ounces cooked shrimp or crab meat
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce (or tamari), 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha or other hot sauce, mayonnaise, and honey or sugar. Taste and adjust: add more sriracha for a spicier sauce or a pinch more sweetener if you prefer it slightly sweeter. Set aside 1–2 tablespoons of this mixture for drizzling over the finished bowls.
    3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or other hot sauce, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
  • Add the cubed salmon, tuna, or tofu to the bowl with the sauce and gently stir to coat all sides. Marinate in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the vegetables and toppings. If using cooked shrimp or crab, toss it lightly with some of the sauce just before serving to avoid a rubbery texture.
    8 ounces sushi-grade salmon, 8 ounces sushi-grade tuna, 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, 8 ounces cooked shrimp or crab meat
  • Slice or cube the avocado. Thinly slice or julienne the cucumber and carrots. If needed, cook the edamame in boiling water for 3–4 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water. Thinly slice the green onions. Cut or tear the nori sheets into thin strips or crumble seaweed snack sheets into small pieces.
    1 large avocado, 1 cup cucumber, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup edamame, 2 sheets nori seaweed, 2-3 green onions
  • Fluff the seasoned sushi rice and divide it evenly among 4 bowls as the base. Top each bowl with a portion of marinated fish or tofu, arranging it slightly off-center. Add generous piles of cucumber, avocado, carrots, and edamame around the bowl. Sprinkle with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and nori strips. Drizzle a little of the reserved sauce and/or extra soy sauce on top. Add pickled ginger, a small dab of wasabi, and lime or lemon wedges on the side if desired.
    2 cups short-grain sushi rice, 8 ounces sushi-grade salmon, 8 ounces sushi-grade tuna, 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, 8 ounces cooked shrimp or crab meat, 1 large avocado, 1 cup cucumber, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup edamame, 2 sheets nori seaweed, 2-3 green onions, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, pickled ginger, wasabi paste, extra soy sauce or tamari, lime or lemon wedges
  • Taste and adjust each bowl at the table: add more cucumber or carrots for crunch, extra soy sauce or tamari for saltiness, or a drizzle of sesame oil or sauce for richness. Sprinkle with furikake if using. Serve right away while the rice is slightly warm and the toppings are cool and fresh.
    extra soy sauce or tamari, furikake seasoning

Notes

Variations: For a spicy tuna sushi bowl, use only tuna, increase the sriracha in the sauce, and add extra mayonnaise for creaminess. For a vegetarian sushi bowl, skip the fish and use tofu and/or extra edamame as the main protein with lots of veggies. To make a brown rice version, use short-grain brown rice and cook longer, then season the same way. For a lower-carb bowl, swap some or all of the sushi rice with lightly warmed cauliflower rice seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Storage: Keep rice, protein, and veggies in separate containers for meal prep; assemble just before eating. Raw marinated fish should be eaten the same day; leftover rice keeps up to 2 days in the fridge and can be gently rewarmed with a splash of water.
Keyword deconstructed sushi, Easy Weeknight Dinner, gluten-free option, Meal Prep, poke-style bowl, salmon sushi bowl, sushi bowl, tuna sushi bowl, vegetarian sushi bowl
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