Sushi Night – How to Make Sushi at Home

It’s a rare day on the blog because I’m sharing a recipe (?) kind of. It’s more like a hybrid post. Part “how to make sushi” recipe part DIY family night type of thing. 🙂 My kids love sushi, even 18-month-old Millie will eat a California roll like it’s going out of style. If you ask Peighton where we should go for dinner, she’ll say sushi every single time. We love our sushi in this family. We made sushi at home for the first time a year or so ago and the experience was so fun that we’ve just kept it up. Now that we’ve entered the phase of toddlerhood that basically makes Millie a maniac at restaurants we haven’t been visiting our favorite sushi place (or any other place that isn’t a quick service type of joint). So, when Peighton wanted sushi over the weekend, I happily obliged. It’s not only a super tasty meal, but it’s a fun experience for the whole family.

Here’s our basic set up. Sushi rice (here’s a recipe for the rice), Nori, shrimp fried in panko, crab meat, avocado, cucumber. We sometimes add smoked salmon, cream cheese, asparagus, and other veggies. Note: We typically don’t do raw fish. You can get sushi grade fish from your local store. Our Whole Foods carries it, although we usually just go with crab and shrimp (cooked).

For your convenience, this post may contain affiliate links. That means, at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission on your purchase. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

When we make our rolls we almost always do the inside out style and have the rice on the outside. To make these rolls, it’s very helpful to have sushi mats [these ones are less than five bucks].

Matt and I usually spread the rice and then we let the kids fill the rolls. The trick is to get a nice even layer of rice. Since the rice is sticky it’s helpful to either spray the mat and spoon with nonstick spray or grease both with sesame oil.

You roll sushi a lot like you would roll a burrito except there’s no tucking in. So bring the end of the mat to the inside portion, getting it really tight, and as you roll you keep pulling back the mat, keeping it really tight the entire time.

The girls usually eat it as soon as I have a chance to cut it so the first roll goes to them and then Matt and I keep cranking out rolls until either the filling runs out or the nori does.

I love to top mine with a homemade spicy mayo (sriracha and mayo mixed together – more sriracha for more heat) and sesame seeds.

Sushi night must-haves:

Sushi mat

Chopsticks

Cutting mat

Sushi making kit (not required but a great beginners kit)

We all love sushi nights. Nevermind the fact that by the end of the meal both of my girls are covered in so much rice that they could pass for sushi rolls themselves. We love making sushi together!

Have you ever made sushi? Or do you have a meal that you like to make together as a family?

Pin for later: