Slacker Sushi Bowls

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Servings 4

These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed – all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!

These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed - all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!

Some things about my kids just make perfect sense. Like how they were both early talkers, not shy, athletic, and highโ€ฆHIGHโ€ฆenergy. That apple really doesn’t fall from the tree. And how Haley dotes on her little bro, like he’s a doll, and how Trevor is more independent, second kid and all.

But when Haley, who’s a parent’s dream come true as far as food goes, gets completely excited at the thought of going to McDonald’s, I can’t find the logic. (and let’s not discuss how both my kids tolerate…barely tolerate!…any Mexican food. I just can’t. *cries*)

Then there’s Trevor, who’sโ€ฆwellโ€ฆnot a dream come true in the food department, requests sushi if given the opportunity to eat out, I feel like taking his temperature.

These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed - all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!

I embrace it, though. Of course! If this is how I get fish in my boy, then so be it. Unfortunately, our sushi habit is going to eat us out of house and home. So instead, I just bring it to us. Sort of.

These are basically deconstructed California Rolls, minus the rolling. So if you’re into that sort of thing, you’ll love them. We do!

To make the prep way easier and faster, get your hands on one of these OXO julienne peelers. It’s a gift, I tell ya.

These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed - all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!

5 from 3

Slacker Sushi Bowls

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Cooling: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
These Slacker Sushi Bowls are California Rolls deconstructed - all the ingredients, but served in a bowl, without the rolling. But just as yummy!

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup uncooked medium grain white rice
  • 4 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium carrot, , peeled, and cut into matchsticks
  • 1 medium cucumber, , peeled, seeded, and cut into matchsticks
  • 6 ounces imitation crab meat, , sliced or chopped
  • 1 avocado, , cubed
  • 1 square sheet Nori seaweed, , crumbled into small pieces
  • 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • soy sauce and wasabi, , for serving

Instructions 

  • Rinse the rice in a strainer or colander until the water runs clear.
  • Place the rice and the 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a soft boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Microwave for 30 seconds until sugar dissolves.
  • Pour mixture on the rice and gently stir to combine.
  • Mix in the carrots, cucumber, and crab.
  • Scoop into bowls and top with avocado, seaweed, and sesame seeds. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2657IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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Other Sushi recipes you might enjoy!

Pickled Ginger – Foodie with Family

Tuna Sushi Stacks – Chelsea’s Messy Apron

How to make sushi rice – Fifteen Spatulas

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About Amy Flanigan

Well, hey there! Amy here, founder and COO at BellyFull. If youโ€™re looking for tried and true, fuss-free, budget-friendly, delicious, every day recipes, youโ€™ve come to the right place.

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66 Comments

  1. Nikki Krakauer says:

    5 stars
    My daughter Michelle has been doing these for years, since the boys were so frustrated making sushi rolls at home. I sit at breakfast bar and chop veg. I use a pizza roller to cut the nori and everything is served as poke (po-kay) bowl style. Everyone adds their own choices!!! We added a few of her add-inโ€™s, & seeing this article proved to them that Michelle and I are NOT lunatics for preferring the ease of this!!!

  2. Becky says:

    5 stars
    We made these tonight because we had all the leftover ingredients from making sushi last night. Particularly the fish and avocado go bad quickly once they are prepped and ready to assemble for sushi, so we made these bowls tonight and they were great!!

  3. misty says:

    5 stars
    these were yummy! unbelievable, since fake crab meat is not the best, you know. My boyfriend liked them as well. :) Thank you, you cooking genius, blessing us all with your talents. :)

    1. Nikki Krakauer says:

      Why do you say fake crab is not good for you?

  4. Pauline says:

    I just tried this recipe and I am hugely impressed. It mimics the sushi flavor very well. Both me and my husband loved it. I just grated the carrot and cut the cucumber into very small pieces. My hubby took a sheet of nori and just rolled his own sushi. I ate it as a salad. Having pickled ginger on the side made all the difference for us. Thank you so much for posting this!

    1. Amy @BellyFull says:

      So happy to hear it, Pauline!

  5. Debbie Jones says:

    I made this for dinner two nights ago. Both hubby and I enjoyed it – it will become a regular in my routine. I used brown rice and chicken and since I didn’t have cucumber on hand – sliced up a zucchini. The vinegar/sugar mixture and a bit of soy sauce were the secret to YUM!

    1. Amy @Very Culinary says:

      Hi Debbie – thanks for the comment! Yes, the vinegar/sugar that gets mixed in with the rice is definitely more than a supporting role. I’ve never thought about subbing in chicken…sounds good!

  6. Kim says:

    Made this last night for my sushi-loving family and they loved it! Thanks for posting! I made a dressing with soy, sesame oil and wasabi–yum! As always, love your recipes.

    1. Amy says:

      Oh YAY!! I’m so glad :D And thanks for stopping back over to let me know.

  7. Steph J says:

    That is the coolest gadget! Thanks for the chance to win one! And can I just say, ‘YUM’!! I’m trying this slacker sushi- It has my name on it!

  8. Jeanne says:

    What a fun way to introduce newcomers to a daytime sushi!
    A treat without challenges!

  9. Julie says:

    like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws

  10. Julie says:

    Just what I need :) thanks

  11. Lisa says:

    Can’t wait to try this recipe!

  12. Debbie says:

    I just had to julienne a mango…I wish I had this peeler then.

  13. John Billiris says:

    I’ve never heard of a julienne peeler before! Thanks for the info.

  14. PJ says:

    I have recently tried sushi, would love to be into it way more. Julienne peeler would be a great addition in my kitchen!

  15. Lauren @ Pass the Plate says:

    This is such a cute idea! I love sushi!

  16. Rachel C says:

    I am very interested in slacker sushi bowls! Thanks.

  17. Anne says:

    I subscribe via RSS.

  18. Anne says:

    I like you on FB.

  19. Tanya says:

    Already likin’ ya!

  20. Tanya says:

    I do not have one of these, but sure would like one!

  21. Kathleen Conner says:

    What an interesting idea. It seems like such a great dish for hot summer days.

  22. Ian Macfarlane says:

    That should be a hit in my house. Thanks for the recipe!

  23. Christine says:

    :D This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it for dinner tonight!

  24. Cat C says:

    THis peeler would be great to use on vegetables for some eye appeal.

  25. Mar says:

    I want to be a slacker! Hope I win!

  26. Joanne says:

    I would eat sushi every day if I could afford it! But, sadly. I can’t. So…sushi bowls it is!

  27. Every Craving says:

    Such a great idea to have a lazy sushi bowl. I’ve never made my own sushi because rolling it intimidates me haha. These look great though! I would love a julienne peeler. I’m pretty sure that’s like the only kitchen appliance I don’t own.

  28. LeAndra says:

    What a great way to re-think sushi! I am looking forward to trying this soon.

  29. TK says:

    I love making sushi bowls! It’s just so much easier. And thanks for the giveaway too!

  30. Danielle says:

    This should fix my sushi craving problem!

  31. Jennifer says:

    OXO rocks!

  32. Amy L says:

    I love the things that OXO comes up with! I need this peeler in my kitchen drawer :)

  33. Sam Felarca says:

    Interesting idea. Will have to try this.

  34. Kari Judd says:

    Wonderful Giveaway!

  35. sara says:

    Great giveaway – I’ve always wanted to try those julienne peelers, looks like it would be awesome for salads! That sushi bowl looks super tasty…much easier than the roll approach, although that can be fun at times!

  36. Addie Corn says:

    OXO Julienne peeler would be an added addition to my already great OXO family of products I use on a daily basis.
    Thank you for making the best kitchen products around…

  37. Nicolle says:

    I love sushi! I have yet to try making my own, but this sounds like a wonderful alternative and is so very creative.

    Thanks for this wonderful giveaway :-)

  38. Shari says:

    Great blog! I just discovered it today!

  39. Ellen says:

    I’ve been too afraid to roll my own sushi; this sounds great. I’d try it with baked tofu instead of crab and brown rice :)
    My OXO peeler is the greatest thing ever, so I can imagine the julienne peeler is also the greatest thing.

  40. karen says:

    What a nifty gadget! I love OXO products, they are great.

  41. Nancy says:

    You have the coolest giveaways…..and the yummiest recipes. Thanks for the dinner idea for tonight!!!

  42. Christine says:

    Definitely going to try this! My 2 yr old son also loves sushi.

  43. Jenna says:

    Deconstructed sushi bowls sound like the perfect summertime dinner! And I can totally see how I need that julienne peeler to make them too . . . =)

  44. Maggie says:

    I had no idea a single tool could julienne. I would love to get my hands on one!

  45. Nancie Nelson says:

    I NEED this and I NEED to make this recipe !!!!

  46. Celie says:

    See, I didn’t know that I even needed this kind of peeler until I came to this website! Ahhhh, ignorance is bliss….but I’d love a peeler now that I know. :-)

  47. Kim says:

    What a wonderful idea! I think this would be a great Memorial Day potluck item! But, I can’t make it without that OXO peelerโ€ฆ

  48. jo says:

    I have wanted a “julienner” for the longest time!

  49. Andrea says:

    Slacker recipes? Count me in, please. Count me in for the OXO tool, too, please. I love my OXO peeler!

  50. Hannah says:

    This is a great idea! It kind of reminds me of an unmixed gomokuzushi.
    Onigiri is a fun halfway point between this and nori rolls. They travel well and make good finger food, but are quick to make, especially if you get a mold.

  51. Mb says:

    awesome!

  52. pam says:

    Slacker sushi bowls sound perfect!!!

  53. Judy Lemke says:

    Wish I liked sushi, but alas, I don’t. However, this does sound good. My husband will love it!!!

  54. Josie says:

    I’d love a julienne peeler! It’d make things so much easier in the kitchen.

  55. Gloria says:

    I would love to win this nifty little peeler. Thanks so much for the chance.

  56. amy marantino says:

    i would love to win this. thanks for the chance

  57. The Home Cook says:

    Just wanted to say hi. I’m Melissa’s friend. :)

  58. Ari says:

    I used to work in restaurants in NYC, so my knife skills are up to par, but MAN would that peeler save a lot of time!

    P.S. Love that this sushi bowl is pregnant lady friendly.

  59. Tomi Radke says:

    This one sounds yummy Amy, especially for the HOT summer nights!! Count me in on that drawing too please, that would be yet another handy dandy kitchen gadget from OXO!!

  60. Sandi says:

    I want one….OXO junkie that I am!!!

  61. the wicked noodle says:

    I seriously LOVE all OXO products!! I don’t have their julienne slicer though and I’m really coveting it! If I don’t win I’ll definitely have to buy one. Have you tried their airtight containers? I keep my brown sugar in them and it stays just-opened-the-bag/box fluffy. Happiness!

  62. Melissa says:

    These are so perfect. I still have them on my list and am just waiting for another time when I am having dinner for one. ;)

    Also, that julienne peeler is – GASP – one Oxo item I do not own. I know, I know. Gimme one. :P