How to Make Sushi: A Beginner's Guide

Do you want to learn how to make sushi at home? My free Sushi Beginner's Guide will teach you everything you need to know! Check out the posts included in the guide below, or scroll down for more information.

These guides are intended to teach you everything you need to know to get started, including how to find the proper ingredients! The focus of this site is American style sushi (the kinds of sushi most Americans are used to seeing at their local sushi joints). Additionally, this guide is focused on techniques that make sense at home, which may differ from techniques used in a traditional sushi restaurant. I do my best to discuss any deviations from traditional methods, but if you are looking for traditional and authentic Japanese sushi recipes, that is not the intent of this site. I'm not a sushi chef - just a home cook who learned how to make sushi at home and wants to make it easier for others to do the same!

When I was learning how to make sushi at home, I struggled to find resources that answered all of my questions, that's why I put together this guide to help others. It may seem like a lot of information, but once you learn the basics outlined here, you'll be a home sushi master in no time!

Some things to keep in mind as you learn to make sushi at home:

Set aside enough time, so you won't be rushed. Making sushi is a time-consuming process, set aside at least two hours to begin before you plan on eating for your first batch. After that, you should have a good idea of how long it takes you to prepare (this will vary by the number of people helping and the number of people to serve).

Messy sushi tastes just as good as pretty sushi, so don't worry too much if your first few batches aren't as neat as you would like. If all else fails, you can always pivot to sushi bowls if you get frustrated. Your skills will continue to improve with each batch.

Make sure you're following proper food safety practices.

FAQ

Here are a few questions I'm asked all the time by people interested in making sushi at home. These are answered in more detail in the guide posts!

Can I buy fish that's as high quality as my favorite sushi restaurant?

Yes! The fish I use is actually higher quality than what I've been served at most sushi restaurants. How difficult it is to find good fish will vary based on where you live, see the Sourcing Fish for Sushi at Home guide for more info!

Is making sushi at home cheaper than eating out?

Yes! The start-up costs may be a bit higher (stocking up on supplies, sauces, etc.) but once you're set expect each batch to be significantly cheaper than eating out. See the Why Make Sushi at Home guide for more info!

How hard is homemade sushi?

Everyone learns at their own pace, but with the help of these guides, most people will make delicious sushi on their first try! It will likely take a few batches to reach the point where your rolls look like they are restaurant-quality (but note this is mostly visual, messy sushi still tastes great). Your skills will continue to improve with every batch, so keep practicing to see more improvement!

Is sushi worth making at home?

Absolutely! While it can be time-consuming, making sushi at home is a fun hobby that will save you a lot of money! See the Why Make Sushi at Home guide for more info!

What do I need to buy to make sushi at home?

The only special equipment you need to get started making sushi at home is a sharp knife and a sushi rolling mat. You'll want to pick up basic ingredients like sushi rice, rice vinegar, and sushi quality fish. Check out the Where to Buy Fish for Sushi, Equipment for Homemade Sushi, and Ingredients for Homemade Sushi pages for more info!

Suggested Plan

Read through all of the guides linked below before beginning.
Come up with the plan for what you want to make (what kinds of rolls, nigiri, etc.) Check out the Beginner Friendly Sushi Recipes page for ideas! I usually jot down a list of what I plan to make to keep track as I'm going.
Gather your supplies (ingredients and equipment).
Make the sushi rice. This step takes the longest, though most of it is downtime.
While the sushi rice is cooking, prepare all of your filling and topping ingredients. This includes slicing the fish and veggies and making any mixes (like spicy tuna). The main exception to this step should be the avocado, which will brown if exposed for too long. Prepare the avocado slices shortly before preparing your rolls.
Once your rice is ready and your ingredients have all been prepared, it's time to do the final assembly. Prepare any nigiri first, then prepare all of your rolls (this is because nigiri don't contain nori, so they stay fresh a bit longer when sitting out).
Cut, plate, and serve! Typically, I roll all of my rolls, top any rolls that get fish/avocado toppings, cut all the rolls, plate them, apply any extra toppings, then serve.

Follower Submitted Homemade Sushi Photos!

Still not convinced you can pull this off? Check out some amazing creations submitted by followers! Some of these photos are even first batch photos! You can find more pictures in the "Your Sushi" story archive on my Instagram. If you want to share your photos, just message me on Instagram or tag me in a post (note, tagged posts are only visible to me if your account is public). All images shared with permission!