If you’re craving the fresh, vibrant flavors of sushi but don’t want to deal with the hassle of rolling, sushi rice bowls are the perfect solution. They’re quick, customizable, and just plain delicious. Plus, they’re so easy to put together that even a beginner in the kitchen can feel like a sushi pro. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast, a veggie lover, or someone who can’t resist a spicy kick, there’s a sushi rice bowl here for everyone.
In this post, I’m sharing three incredible variations of sushi rice bowls that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance: Tuna & Avocado, Vegan Delight, and Spicy Salmon & Cucumber. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Each of these bowls starts with a base of sushi rice, but the toppings are where the magic happens. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get started!
Tuna & Avocado Sushi Rice Bowl
- 2 cups sushi rice (the short-grain kind—don’t try to use your regular rice; this stuff is sticky, and that’s exactly what you want!)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound sushi-grade tuna (or salmon, if you’re feeling adventurous)
- 1 avocado, sliced (who doesn’t love a creamy avocado?)
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari if you’re gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nori flakes (that’s the dried seaweed—get it, “nori” your sushi without it)
- 2 tablespoons pickled ginger (this will cut through the richness)
- 1 tablespoon wasabi (optional, but if you like a little heat, this is your friend)
Vegan Delight Sushi Rice Bowl
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cooked edamame beans (or frozen ones you’ve defrosted—ain’t no shame in that game)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (again, tamari works if you need gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nori flakes
- 2 tablespoons pickled ginger
- 1 tablespoon wasabi (optional—no judgment if you skip this!)
- 1/4 cup sliced radishes (for a little extra crunch and zing)
Spicy Salmon & Cucumber Sushi Rice Bowl
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound sushi-grade salmon (make sure it’s fresh!)
- 1/2 tablespoon Sriracha sauce (for that spicy, tangy punch)
- 1 tablespoon mayo (yes, mayo in sushi, trust me)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nori flakes
- 2 tablespoons pickled ginger
- 1 tablespoon wasabi (optional—only if you can handle the heat)
How to Make Your Sushi Rice Bowls
Okay, let’s break this down, step by step; no complicated kitchen wizardry required. All you need is a little time and some basic kitchen skills to get these bowls from “meh” to “wow.”
Tuna & Avocado Sushi Rice Bowl
- Cook the rice: Rinse your sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear (you don’t want to cook rice with all that starch still hanging around). Combine the rice with 2 cups of water in a medium pot, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for 18-20 minutes. Don’t peek! Once the rice is done, take it off the heat and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Season the rice: While your rice is cooling down a bit, mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Once your rice is ready, fold in the vinegar mixture gently. You want that rice to be flavorful but not drowning in vinegar.
- Prepare the toppings: Slice up your tuna, avocado, cucumber, and carrots. It’s a great idea to have everything ready before you start assembling—this will make the process smooth as butter.
- Assemble the bowl Scoop a generous amount of sushi rice into a bowl. Top with the fresh tuna, creamy avocado slices, crunchy cucumber, and sweet carrots.
- Garnish and serve: drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the top, then sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and nori flakes. Add pickled ginger for a tangy twist, and don’t forget the wasabi if you like it spicy. Serve immediately and prepare to be amazed.
Vegan Delight Sushi Rice Bowl
- Cook the rice: Rinse and cook your sushi rice as described above. Let it sit off the heat for a few minutes to cool.
- Season the rice: Combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Gently fold into your cooled rice.
- Prepare the toppings: Steam your avocado if it’s frozen, then slice your avocado, cucumber, radishes, and carrots.
- Assemble the bowl Place a generous scoop of rice in your bowl, then add the edamame, avocado, cucumber, carrots, and radishes.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the bowl. Top with sesame seeds and nori flakes. Add pickled ginger and wasabi, if you like, and then dig in. This one’s fresh, crunchy, and all kinds of satisfying.
Spicy Salmon & Cucumber Sushi Rice Bowl
- Cook the rice: Same as above—rinse the rice, cook it with water, and let it rest.
- Season the rice: Stir together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, then fold it into the rice.
- Prepare the toppings: Mix Sriracha sauce and mayo together to create your spicy salmon dressing. Slice the salmon, cucumber, avocado, and carrots.
- Assemble the bowl Scoop rice into a bowl and top with the spicy salmon, avocado, cucumber, and carrots.
- Garnish and serve: Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the top. Sprinkle sesame seeds and nori flakes, add a little pickled ginger and wasabi if you like it extra spicy, and enjoy the flavorful kick!
Health Benefits: Why These Bowls Are the Real Deal
These sushi rice bowls are packed with nutritious ingredients that do more than just taste good—they also keep your body feeling great!
Tuna & Avocado Sushi Rice Bowl
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Tuna (and salmon) is loaded with omega-3s, great for heart health and brain function.
- Healthy fats: Avocado gives you the good kind of fat—monounsaturated fats that can help lower bad cholesterol.
- Vitamins and antioxidants: With ingredients like cucumber and carrots, this bowl is packed with vitamins A and C, which are great for immune support.
Vegan Delight Sushi Rice Bowl
- Plant-based protein: Edamame is a solid protein source, and it’s a fantastic choice for those cutting back on animal products.
- Fiber: The vegetables in this bowl provide fiber that helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full longer.
- Rich in vitamins: With avocado, carrots, and cucumber, this bowl gives you a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals that boost energy and support overall health.
Spicy Salmon & Cucumber Sushi Rice Bowl
- High-quality protein: Salmon is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps with muscle recovery and repair.
- Omega-3s: Again, omega-3 fatty acids from salmon are great for heart health.
- Metabolism boost: Thanks to the Sriracha, this bowl can help kickstart your metabolism, giving you an extra boost of energy.
Prep Time & Calories
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
Estimated Calories per Serving:
- Tuna & Avocado Sushi Rice Bowl: About 500-550 calories
- Vegan Delight Sushi Rice Bowl: About 400-450 calories
- Spicy Salmon & Cucumber Sushi Rice Bowl: About 550-600 calories
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