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 high…HIGH…energy. 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’s…well…not a dream come true in the food department, requests sushi if given the opportunity to eat out, I feel like taking his temperature.
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.
Slacker Sushi Bowls
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
Other Notes
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
*this post contains affiliate links
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-in’s, & seeing this article proved to them that Michelle and I are NOT lunatics for preferring the ease of this!!!
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!!
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. :)
Why do you say fake crab is not good for you?
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!
So happy to hear it, Pauline!
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!
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!
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.
Oh YAY!! I’m so glad :D And thanks for stopping back over to let me know.
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!
What a fun way to introduce newcomers to a daytime sushi!
A treat without challenges!
like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
Just what I need :) thanks
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I just had to julienne a mango…I wish I had this peeler then.
I’ve never heard of a julienne peeler before! Thanks for the info.
I have recently tried sushi, would love to be into it way more. Julienne peeler would be a great addition in my kitchen!
This is such a cute idea! I love sushi!
I am very interested in slacker sushi bowls! Thanks.
I subscribe via RSS.
I like you on FB.
Already likin’ ya!
I do not have one of these, but sure would like one!
What an interesting idea. It seems like such a great dish for hot summer days.
That should be a hit in my house. Thanks for the recipe!
:D This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it for dinner tonight!
THis peeler would be great to use on vegetables for some eye appeal.
I want to be a slacker! Hope I win!
I would eat sushi every day if I could afford it! But, sadly. I can’t. So…sushi bowls it is!
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.
What a great way to re-think sushi! I am looking forward to trying this soon.
I love making sushi bowls! It’s just so much easier. And thanks for the giveaway too!
This should fix my sushi craving problem!
OXO rocks!
I love the things that OXO comes up with! I need this peeler in my kitchen drawer :)
Interesting idea. Will have to try this.
Wonderful Giveaway!
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!
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…
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 :-)
Great blog! I just discovered it today!
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.
What a nifty gadget! I love OXO products, they are great.
You have the coolest giveaways…..and the yummiest recipes. Thanks for the dinner idea for tonight!!!
Definitely going to try this! My 2 yr old son also loves sushi.
Deconstructed sushi bowls sound like the perfect summertime dinner! And I can totally see how I need that julienne peeler to make them too . . . =)
I had no idea a single tool could julienne. I would love to get my hands on one!
I NEED this and I NEED to make this recipe !!!!
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. :-)
What a wonderful idea! I think this would be a great Memorial Day potluck item! But, I can’t make it without that OXO peeler…
I have wanted a “julienner” for the longest time!
Slacker recipes? Count me in, please. Count me in for the OXO tool, too, please. I love my OXO peeler!
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.
awesome!
Slacker sushi bowls sound perfect!!!
Wish I liked sushi, but alas, I don’t. However, this does sound good. My husband will love it!!!
I’d love a julienne peeler! It’d make things so much easier in the kitchen.
I would love to win this nifty little peeler. Thanks so much for the chance.
i would love to win this. thanks for the chance
Just wanted to say hi. I’m Melissa’s friend. :)
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.
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!!
I want one….OXO junkie that I am!!!
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!
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