Avocado Roll Recipe (with Cucumber)

This Avocado Roll recipe is the best homemade version of a sushi favorite. You only need simple ingredients like avocado, cucumber, and carrots. Top with a delicious spicy mayo for extra flavor! Save money and avoid the restaurant cost by making your own sushi at home.

A piece of avocado sushi roll is eaten with chopsticks.

Those that believe sushi isn’t really sushi unless it has raw fish or some type of protein in it obviously must have never tasted a really good vegetarian sushi roll.

During the first few years of living in Austin, I shopped at our local HEB and Central Market on the weekends. Often right after running at the trail and being entirely too hungry.

Sushi was always a quick grab-and-go snack I could enjoy in the car. And at the time, it was the spicy salmon or tuna I would consume.

Until one day it didn’t settle so well with me. While I didn’t want to run the risk of getting a stomachache from the raw fish, I still had a craving for that sweet and tangy rice wrapped around fillings.

And that’s exactly when I discovered Avocado Rolls – with all the sushi rice flavor but WITHOUT the raw fish.

Since then, I’ve learned that it’s actually super simple to make this classic roll at home. Especially since you only need to know how to julienne a few vegetables, make the perfect sushi rice, and then how to roll sushi. (Which I’ve got resources for you to learn ALL of that!)

And once you know how to make this simple roll, you can be whipping up other cooked sushi favorites like the California Roll or even a Philadelphia Roll!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this Avocado Roll include:

Sushi Rice. This short-grain rice is cooked and then seasoned with vinegar and sugar to be slightly sweet and sticky.
Nori. This toasted seaweed paper is essential for making sushi. Nori is slightly sweet and should be dark green or black.
Avocado. You need small strips. Look for ripe but still firm so they are easy to work with. Here are some tips on how to cut avocado.
Cucumber. Julienned and seedless are needed for this sushi. Otherwise, it will be too watery.
Carrots. Cut into matchsticks. You can either buy a bag from the store or julienne larger carrots yourself. Just make sure to peel them first.

How to Make Avocado Sushi

The basic steps for making Avocado Sushi are simple to follow. Please see the recipe card for more detailed ingredient amounts.

Prepare Rice and Veggies

Sushi rice is not typical rice. The addition of rice vinegar and sugar after cooking creates the sweet and sticky texture needed. Here are some tips on how to cook rice for sushi.

Next, prepare the vegetables. On a large cutting board, julienne both the carrots and the cucumber.

Then, cut the avocado into thin strips.

With all of the vegetables, be sure to use a sharp knife to create clean cuts and try to make them as close to the same thickness as possible.

A wooden spoon is used to serve sushi rice. — Make sushi rice.

A pile of Julienne carrots are shown next to a knife. — Make sushi rice.

Spread the Rice

Here is a thorough breakdown of how to roll sushi in case you would like more information.

Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo mat. Be sure it is shiny-side down and the lines go in the same direction as the mat.

If you don’t have a bamboo mat, simply spread some plastic wrap on a kitchen towel. Then, place the paper on top.

You should not need to soften the nori if you are careful. The moisture from the rice mixture should make the paper easy to handle.

Place 1 cup of prepared sushi rice on the nori. Carefully spread it out using a rice paddle. A spoon or spatula will work, but it will be more difficult.

If you are having trouble getting the rice to the edges of the paper, dip your fingers into a bowl of water and gently spread the rice. This will help prevent the rice from sticking to your fingertips.

Leave about ½-inch of nori uncovered at the end farthest away from you. This section will be sued to seal the roll.

Nori seaweed is placed on a bamboo mat. — Lay nori seaweed on the bamboo mat.

Spatula is used to spread the rice on the nori. — Lay nori seaweed on the bamboo mat.

Fill it Up

Start slightly off-center on the end closest to you. Evenly place the carrots, cucumber, and avocado in a horizontal row.

Keep all the vegetables grouped together to get a distinct view of each one in every slice.

If you’d like, sprinkle a small amount of salt over the filling.

Rice is topped with vegetarian filling ingredients.

Roll it Tight

Starting at the end close to you with the fillings, carefully lift the mat. Bring the front edge of the rice and nori over the carrots, cucumbers, and avocado.

Begin rolling. Use the mat to help create the circular shape. If any ingredients fall out, gently push them back in.

Use your fingers and thumbs to lightly squeeze the roll to tighten it as you go. This will compress the rice and keep it together so your sushi won’t fall apart.

Bamboo mat is used to roll Avocado sushi roll. — Wet side of seaweed for sealing before rolling.

Seal

After you have finished rolling the sushi, wet your fingertips on one hand while you firmly hold it with the other.

Run the moist fingers along the empty strip of nori. This will soften it and make it sticky so it will adhere to the outside of the roll.

Gently press the edge of the paper to the rice to create a seal. You should clearly see the traditional tube shape that makes sushi so recognizable.

Cut into Pieces

Cutting avocado sushi rolls can be slightly tricky. However, take your time, follow these steps, and you should be fine.

Get a very sharp knife a little wet. Starting at one end, create even slices. Use the width of your finger as a guide.

Every couple of slices, clean the knife off and get it wet again. Otherwise, sticky rice build-up will lead to messy and uneven cuts.

You can serve these avocado rolls with a drizzle of sriracha mayo, sushi ginger, soy sauce, and wasabi.

Place your sushi roll on a plate and enjoy!

Knife is dipped into water. — Wet knife between cutting roll.

A sharp knife is used to cut the Avocado roll. — Wet knife between cutting roll.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Prep-Ahead: This is best if eaten within the first few hours of making, but you can prepare it up to 24 hours ahead of time.
To Store: Keep rolls uncut and tightly wrapped in plastic. Sushi will last for up to 2 days in the fridge. After that, the avocado will brown and the rice will harden.
To Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this roll as the rice will dry out.

FAQs

Does an avocado roll have fish?

Traditionally, avocado rolls do not have fish or imitation crab. They do have sushi rice and avocado, while some even have carrot and cucumber

Is an avocado sushi roll vegan?

Because the avocado roll only contains rice and vegetables, it is considered vegan.

Are avocado rolls healthy?

This popular sushi roll contains vegetables like carrots and cucumbers which are low in total fat and cholesterol. Avocados are high in healthy fats and fiber. This roll is great for those looking for a good-for-you sushi option.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Get a mat. If you plan on making sushi regularly, then a bamboo mat will make the process much easier.
Keep it fresh. In-season veggies are best and offer the most flavor.
Make it sticky. Be sure you are using short-grain sushi rice so the roll stays together.
Get creative. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other flavors and toppings. Add some cilantro for a peppery kick or basil for a fresh herbal note!
Wrap tight. This roll will last a couple of days in the fridge when wrapped well in plastic wrap.

A plate is filled with healthy Avocado rolls.

More Sushi Recipes

Don’t stop with Avocado Sushi. Try any of these awesome recipes next:

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