Vegan Cauliflower Rice Sushi

If you’re ready to make healthy, plant based sushi at home, then you have to give this Vegan Cauliflower Rice Sushi recipe a go.

People tend to only eat sushi when dining out and steer clear of making it at home because of the idea that it’s tricky to make. My hope with this recipe is to inspire and empower you to take it on, because honestly, it’s not that hard.

If you’re used to eating sushi with raw fish, animal products and cooked rice, I promise you won’t miss those ingredients with this recipe. I also made a sweet and spicy dipping sauce which is a perfect accompaniment for the nori rolls.

Why Make Plant-Based Sushi at Home?

Did you know you are exposed to a variety of parasites when you eat raw or undercooked fish? Traditional sushi at restaurants are made with raw fish. In fact, this study shows that parasites in raw fish increased by 283-fold in the past 40 years.

Even if you eat vegan sushi, the rice contains sugar which makes it taste sweet and helps the rice hold together better. On average, two tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of rice vinegar is used per two cups of sushi rice.

I blend raw cauliflower until it resembles a rice-like consistency. This replaces white or brown rice and increases the nutrients and enzyme content of the dish. It doesn’t have exactly the same texture as cooked rice, but it’s still delicious.

Also, if you’ve never read up about nori and its health benefits, the following is definitely worth reading.

Health Benefits of Nori

Nori is rich in nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, fatty acids and Vitamins A, B, C, D, E AND K. Thirty percent of nori’s dry weight is actually from protein, while the rest is from fibre. It is also rich in chlorophyll, which gives it its dark green colours. This element is important to detoxifying the blood.

Iodine deficiency seems to be a big problem at the moment, and nori’s high content of iodine helps the body to bring its levels back into balance. This prevents health issues like iodine deficiency which contribute to weight gain, IBS, fatigue, skin conditions, and more.

Evidence suggests that nori is one of the most suitable plant-derived food sources of bioavailable Vitamin B12. It has also been proven to reduce cholesterol levels. 

TIP: Seaweed absorbs the properties of its environment, so make sure to buy certified organic nori which has been grown in unpolluted waters, to prevent consumption of pollutants and chemicals.

Nori Rolling Tips

I know a lot of people use a bamboo rolling mat, and if you have one or want one, more power to you. But I just use my good old hands, and it always works just fine. Watch the video below for ideas on how to lay the ingredients on the nori sheet. When you begin wrapping and rolling, the key is to do it as firmly as possible. Don’t be scared of the nori sheet breaking, it’s tougher than you think.

Vegan Cauliflower Rice Sushi Steps

Step 1: Make the Sauce

Blend all the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Make the Cauliflower Rice

Gently pulse the cauliflower florets until the mixture resembles a rice consistency.

Step 3: Assemble the Nori Wraps

Finely slice the rest of your chosen ingredients and place them on the nori wrap; covering about two thirds.

Step 4: Start Rolling

Wet the outer edge of the nori roll, furthest away from the vegetables. Then firmly wrap the nori sheet around the vegetables and start rolling, using a firm pressure the entire time.

Variations and Substitutions

• Cauliflower Rice Alternative: Using cauliflower keeps this recipe raw, but feel free to use white or brown rice instead.
• Dipping Sauce: If you’re stuck on time, pour some organic tamari or coconut aminos into a small bowl and use that instead.
• Vegetables: Use any of your favourite vegetables. Cucumber, cabbage, spinach, kale and tomato are some other yummy options.