These smoked salmon and avocado maki sushi rolls are a quick easy, family-friendly introduction to sushi. They’re so easy to make even the kids can do it, and they’re perfect for packed bento box lunches.
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
- Smoked Salmon and Avocado Maki Sushi Rolls
- What does sushi mean?
- What is sushi wrapped in?
- What is the difference between maki, nigiri, sashimi, uramaki and temaki sushi?
- Ingredients for Smoked Salmon & Avocado Maki Sushi Rolls
- How to make Smoked Salmon & Avocado Maki Sushi – Step-by-step Instructions
- Health benefits of sushi
- Smoked Salmon and Avocado Maki Sushi Recipe
- Pin this maki sushi recipe for later
- Other rice recipes you might like
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Maki Sushi Rolls
Have you ever made sushi before? I have a confession: Until we set up the video camera to film the little fun video in the recipe card, neither had we. This was new, uncharted territory for us as a family, and I have to say I was rather excited about the whole thing!
After doing some research online, I prepared the ingredients needed for a simple smoked salmon and avocado maki sushi, switched on the video camera, and let the children have at it.
What does sushi mean?
Sushi isn’t just raw fish, as we usually associate it with. The word sushi literally translates to ‘sour rice’. This sour (vinegared) rice is paired with any protein, vegetable, or even fruit. It can be a fun, simple way to get the kids involved in making and eating healthy, nutritious food.
There are five main types of sushi – maki, nigiri, sashimi, uramaki and temaki.
What is sushi wrapped in?
Maki sushi rolls, what we Westerners usually think of when we hear the word sushi, are wrapped in sheets of nori seaweed. The seaweed is shredded, pressed and dried into sheets, similar to the papermaking process.
What is the difference between maki, nigiri, sashimi, uramaki and temaki sushi?
- maki – rice and filling wrapped in seaweed sheets.
- nigiri – sushi rice is topped with (usually) seafood of some sort.
- sashimi – has no rice. The seafood is served on its own.
- uramaki – a roll like maki, but with the rice on the inside and seaweed wrapped around the filling.
- temaki – cone-shaped, hand-rolled sushi
Ingredients for Smoked Salmon & Avocado Maki Sushi Rolls
- sushi rice – look out for this in the Asian foods section of your supermarket
- water
- rice vinegar aka rice wine vinegar
- caster sugar
- sea salt
How to make Smoked Salmon & Avocado Maki Sushi – Step-by-step Instructions
- Make your seasoned sushi rice: cook the rice for 10 minutes, pour over a blend of rice vinegar, sugar and salt, stir well and leave to cool for 25-30 minutes.
- Arrange a sheet of sushi nori, shiny side down, on a bamboo rolling mat. Spread 1/3 of the rice all over the nori, leaving a 1 cm gap at the top.
- Lay slices of smoked salmon 1/3 of the way up.
- Top with a few slices of avocado.
- Finish with some chives.
- Roll up tightly using the bamboo mat to assist (see video). Seal the end of the nori with a fingertip dipped in water. Slice into 8 pieces.
Health benefits of sushi
A recent report found the Japanese diet seems to be one of the primary reasons they boast the longest lifespan in the world.
Nori (seaweed, which is used to wrap the rolls) is abundant in health benefits and is considered an ancient superfood. As well as being really tasty, it provides loads of essential nutrients, is packed with dietary fibre, improves bone and dental health, and is high in iron and rich in protein. And that’s just for starters. Wasabi, ginger and soy sauce have all been found to have a variety of benefits too.
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Maki Sushi Recipe
Ingredients
for the seasoned sushi rice
- 250 grams sushi rice
- 330 ml cold water
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp Shetland sea salt
to assemble
- 3 sheets sushi nori seaweed sheets
- 100 grams smoked salmon
- 1 handful fresh chives
- 1 medium avocado thinly sliced
to serve
- soy sauce
- wasabi paste optional
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Equipment
Instructions
- First, prepare your seasoned sushi rice. Put 250 grams sushi rice into a large bowl with a little cold water and wash it thoroughly. Use your fingers to swirl the rice around in the water, adding a little more cold water as the water becomes cloudy with the rice starch. Carefully drain the water and repeat the process until the water becomes clear.
- Add the rice to a small saucepan with 330 ml cold water and pop the lid on. Bring to a boil over a high heat. As soon as the water starts boiling reduce the heat to the lowest setting you can get and simmer for ten minutes. KEEP THE LID ON.
- While the rice is cooking, prepare your sushi vinegar. Combine 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp caster sugar and 1 tsp Shetland sea salt in a small clean jam jar, pop the lid on and shake, shake, shake (get the kids to do this!). Leave the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Transfer the hot cooked rice to a bowl and carefully fold in the sushi vinegar. You don’t want to break the grains of rice. Leave it to cool for 25-30 minutes.
- To assemble the sushi, lay one of 3 sheets sushi nori seaweed sheets shiny side down onto a Yutaka bamboo sushi rolling mat.
- Spoon 1/3 of the rice mixture onto the nori seaweed and using fingers dampened with a bit of cold water, spread the rice in an even layer leaving a 1 cm gap at the top. Make sure your rice reaches the sides of the nori seaweed.
- Take one-third of 100 grams smoked salmon and arrange it in a line about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the nori. Top with one-third of 1 handful fresh chives and one-third of 1 medium avocado.
- Using a bamboo rolling mat to help you, fold over the bottom edge of the nori seaweed and roll into a thick cigar shape.
- Using a finger dipped in cold water, moisten the edge of the nori seaweed to seal. At this point you could wrap the sushi roll in clingfilm and keep it in the fridge until it is needed.
- When ready to eat, using a serrated knife, cut each roll into eight pieces.
- Serve with soy sauce and wasabi paste, if desired, for dipping.
Lemon & Cracked Black Pepper Cod Fillets with Potato Wedges & Lemon Mayo
I went to a famous fast food sushi restaurant which rhymes with “Go Sushi”. I wasn’t aware that all the different plates had different values in correlation to their colour, and I proceeded to pick all of the biggest plates thinking that everything was priced the same. It’s safe to say that I learned my lesson, when a bill of 135 came to me just for two people!!!! You live and learn.
I really like vegetarian sushi especially with lots of avocado!
I adore salmon and cucumber sushi but have never attempted to make it myself, I’d love to win and give it a go x
I don’t know any sushi recipes but I absolutely love sushi, especially salmon based sushi.Oh and hot chicken gyoza. I’m drooling now….
I’m still a sushi virgin! I’d love to try making it at home, I’d never even considered it before now.
me and my 3 year old bough tone of these kits and spent the whole afternoon making sushi! It was so much fun and it was great to introduce her to new types of food
To be honest I’ve never tried sushi, but I love fish so I would really like to try it!
I have never tried sushi before. So I would like to win to try it ☺️
I’m not a huge fan of sushi but my 10 year old son absolutely LOVES it! Recently been talking about trying to make our own so this kit would be great x
Never had sushi
My sister made me sushi when I was dog sitting for her as she had a kit -she said as she leaving -the sushi is in the fridge help yourself- so I went into the fridge took out the plate of sushi and sat down to eat it- it was delicious- when she came home she said where’s the sushi? I said I ate it like you said – she said that was meant for all three of us. I did think there was rather a lot for one !!
I love anything to do with fish so sushi is perfect
Never had sushi at home …
My favourite sushi are kappa maki, the thin rolls, with vegetarian fillings like avocado and a really strong flavoured rice, not like supermarkets.
I really had to train myself to like sushi. Eveen though I liked all the components, I just couldn’t enjoy the whole dish. After lots of tries I now love sushi!
I like making vegetarian sushi.
Would you believe I have never had sushi yet!!
I am sad to have moved out of my last flat- there was an amazing japanese restaurant just around the corner. I once tried one of their daily specials there which was a tuna and avocado sushi- it was amazing!
I loved the video 🙂 making it looks like a lot of fun (if a bit awkward to roll!) and the end product looks fantastic! Sushi is something I’ve only recently discovered and I’ve only eaten it once, but it was delicious and I would very much like to have it again!
Love spicy Tuna rolls made with tuna tossed in sesame Sriracha sauce, topped with spicy mayo
I’ve always wanted to make it myself but have never got round to it. I love eating out at sushi restaurants. It’s funny because I’m vegetarian and don’t eat fish, people get really confused. But there’s so many veggie options! Especially with Japanese food in general.
i HAVE JUST WATCHED YOUR VIDEO, YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY
Would you believe I have never had sushi yet!!
i have never tries to make sushi for myself and would love the chance to learn more
I love Tamago Sushi it tastes lovely
I had never tried sushi until a couple of years ago and now I am hooked. I really love the wasabi flavour!
I recently took my 13 year old daughter out to eat sushi, she’s very picky usually but she’d seen sushi online and thought it looked pretty. She loved it! I can’t believe it happened but she ate sushi rolls of all kinds with vegetables, salmon, tuna…all of it. It’s made her a bit more adventurous with other foods now because she enjoyed the sushi so much xx
I’m slowly coming round to sushi so it would be lovely to make my own
My husband on our first date tried making sushi it turned out a disaster but was soo hilarious make the date so much fun though
We have never tried them, there is a first time for everything though
you can replace the salmon with crab sticks for those who are wary of sushi
ive never tried sushi but would love to
Delicious!
I love Tamago Sushi, in fact, I love most Japanese food.
I really love sushi! I hope I can win the competition x
I love sushi! I’d always prefer it over a sandwich for lunch. My favourite one is salmon avocado so I love the sound of your recipe. Would love to try it out with my DD! X
I love sticky rice,tuna,and cucumbsr
i love suschi
I’ve never had sushi but would love to try
I’d love to try the sweet dessert sushi as its something I’ve never tried before! <3
Such beautifully rolled rolls in your video! My favourite sushi is salmon. SO fresh tasting.
i have never tried sushi, although all the ingredients seem to be things i like so i would love to try!
Love sushi. Salmon every time.. oh yum makes me hungry just thinking about it!
Such beautifully rolled rolls in your video! My favourite sushi is salmon- I have memories of eating it in Japan with my family
I’ve never tried to make sushi, i’ve been to eat out once, it was awesome!
sushi is my fave food but ive never made it yet anyway
I love Sushi and Kimbap. My favourites are ones using vegetables, especially avocado.
Loved the video! I would love to try this – sushi is so yummy!
I went to Japan more than 20 years ago to visit a boyfriend who was teaching there. A Korean couple took us out for the biggest sushi banquet I have ever seen. It was out of this world
Would love to try and make sweet dessert sushi sometime.
I’m on a diet and make sushi by hand with veggies, seaweed, and magi sauce to taste. It’s great. Don’t have a kit though so would make it easier. (I’ve lost 21lbs so far since Xmas)
I love veggie sushi, it’s so tasty would love to make it myself
As a vegetarian, I didn’t think that I could ever try sushi, and the thought of eating rice with a cream cheese filling as you see in some supermarket ‘veggie sushi’ selections didn’t really appeal. I’ve had a go at making my own at home, however, and it really was a revelation! Crisp raw veggies with tasty rice and seaweed is a wonderful combination! All I need now is to figure out how to roll them so they don’t fall apart!
Sushi doesn’t mean raw fish, as many people think. It’s sweet rice and it can be paired with anything you want. As for falling apart – are you using proper sushi rice? That stuff sticks together so easily so it shouldn’t fall apart. A rolling mat really helps too. 🙂
Hi and thanks for the reply. I love the sticky sushi rice, it is just getting the rolls tight enough on my first few attempts – think I’m getting better now though. I’ve not yet invested in a mat, which is why I have my fingers crossed for winning this kit! Thanks for the handy hints and tips!
I adore egg and anything vegi with lots of soya sauce and pickles
Sushi is lovely but I remember asking my mum to try it and even though I explained exactly what was in it she was convinced it contained parts of an octopus or other exotic sea creature??
I love sushi but have never tried to make it. I’d love to give it a go though
I’ve made sushi with our daughter, and really enjoyed both making and eating it. I’m vegetarian so my favourite sushi is avocado and cucumber.
my favourite sushi is anything with salmon and soy sauce
I love sushi whilst my husband can’t stand it. He loves me enough though to buy it for me 🙂 weeee
We love trying to make our own sushi, smoked salmon is our favourite 🙂
I love spicy tuna rolls – they’re delivious! Never tried making my own but I’d love to.
Ive always wanted to try making Sushi but been to scared id make a mess of it, but you video makes it look so easy.x
My favourite sushi recipe is spicy tuna rolls.
I think this is fantastic and I love sushi its my all time favorite
I’d love to try sushi at homw
The first time i ate sushi i hated it and was sick everywhere but tried it again and actually enjoy it
I love sushi, I recently taught my nephew to make it, I love it hot with a kick from wasabi
I put off making sushi as I always believed it was too difficult. It surprisingly wasn’t that difficult. Clearly it wasn’t as good as a pro but it looked like sushi and taste like sushi. If you can get your kids to eat it, then I salute you. I personally find it delicious.
My favourite to make is California rolls
I am a massive sushi fan! I have now persuaded my husband who loves it too! Next, my son haha
WE HAVE ONLY JUST DISCOVERED SUSHI TOGETHER SO THIS WOULD BE FAB
I have eaten a lot of sushi over the years made by a Japanese woman chef. My favourite were the ones with a flattened shrimp on an oblong of sushi rice, served with pickled ginger.
I remember the days when I was sceptical about sushi…so glad I got over that one! Never made my own…and being Valentines have you seen the Sex in the City scene with Samantha?! Not sure I would serve up home made sushi like she did. We love food and this looks like a lot of fun!
i love sushi and love it when my hubby makes his own
have to be honest ive never tried sushi
I always love Japanese food, especially the sushi and I love avocado and salmon also. So this is a great recipe for me. My husband likes sushi too. I can not wait to make this dish for my husband, I am sure he will love it. The video is very clear to understand. Thank you so much!
Never made sushi but would love to give it a try -would compromise on fkavoyrs as i loke stong hot flavours -rest of family go on the cooler dide
I def need to make a sushi recipeeeee soon!
I am quite lazy with sushi and often make it and roll it in nori because that is how it loved in our house but I would like to experiment with some more fillings – my favourite so far is candied walnuts and edamame. It is so much fun for kids and Sylvia is quite good with it and excellent at eating it!
My daughter loves the Japanese culture so we tried making sushi – its not as easy as it looks – it takes a bit of practice but it always tastes great
I’m afraid I’ve never eaten sushi or made it. I’ve got as far as buying some sheets of nori and now haen’t a clue what to do with them .
my husband in particular loves sushi, would be fab to win this for us to make together!
I went to Japan once and tried some very interesting type of sushi, but some was just like battered fish bones!
Ive never tried Sushi but have always wanted to.
It looks delicious, I think i need to try it soon
My wife absolutely loves sushi but we have never been brave enough to make it. Thank you for the video!
When my first husband worked for Nissan years ago we were invited to a dinner party where we had to undergo Karaoke and sushi I loved the sushi but sadly not having to perform karaoke in front of the other guests who I had never met before
I have to be honest ive never tried sushi :O
I don’t like sushi but my daughter does her favourite is with sweet chilli chicken inside
my daughter adores Japanese food and their culture so we often eat out Sushi, but we have never attempt to make it yet, this would be a great starter kit thanks
They did a great job looks delicious. We all love sushi but never attempted to make it ourselves, it’s something we have to do as my daughters would definitely enjoy doing this
like Japanese food with sticky rice and hotness
great video i do love sushi
We are big sushi fans, ill confess though we have never made it at home! I didnt realise how many different ingredients went into it until i watched the video!
love sushi, remember nights out having some before a night out. good times
My favourite sushi is tamago Sushi. I haven’t quite mastered it yet, but it’s fun trying!
I have never eaten sushi, so it’s about time I gave it a go!
I love sushi and don’t make my own as often as I should. I remember the first time I tried was years ago with a flatmate. We didn’t have a sushi mat but we did have a small hall window with a tatty rattan blind on it, so we took it down, cut a mat-sized bit off, gave it a wipe and used that. It worked a treat!
I have never tried Sushi so would love to win and try to see what I have been missing
I don’t but my mother makes sushi once a year at Christmas time.
I love the sushi bar at Meadowhall Sheffield it’s great
have never tried Sushi – it both intrigues and deters me at the same time as I`m never quite sure what true sushi is- this amusing video and your comments do help explain and make it more attractive so is another reason why i’d like to win and try it out(for all of us)
These look brilliant! My eldest loves sushi. Would be fun to try to make it ourselves
California Roll for us a bit of a cheat but we like it still!
I adore sushi, I do make it myself and it’s lovely but I like to treat myself to a ‘proper’ Japanese meal every now and then, if only to watch the chefs with the mahoosive knives putting my ‘skills’ to shame!
I love making sushi – so much fun! My favourite to make is California rolls, filled with crab sticks, cucumber and cream cheese!
i prefer to actually go to restaurants without the kids but would give it a go – i know what they’ll say though …..yuck!
I love sushi. Me and my Mr had a lovely sushi night last week but I cheated and brought them from the superrmarket
Sometimes it just needs to be done. 😉
I attempted sushi once without the rolling kit and it turned out tasty but messy haha,didn’t really look like sushi but the taste is the most important thing right haha 🙂
Absolutely! 🙂
Sushi is a beautiful tradition of cooking that tastes so fresh and vibrant!
Love sushi, would like to learn how to make it so we can have it more often!
We love the Jamie Oliver recipe for Sushi rolls. Quick to make and not too many ingredients.
I am a vegan and Suchi can be perfect.
Love sushi! Fabulous prize 🙂
I’ve never made sushi but would love to try to, and think it would be fun for my children to do x
I love to try different ways to make vegetarian sushi. Avocado is definitely the star ingredient
I’ve tried making sushi once and it went quite well, the kids loved it! I’d like to give it another go, I particular like the wasabi paste
I couldn’t get my kids to try the wasabi paste – I think I might have put them off with my whole ‘it’s the hottest thing you’ll ever eat’ statement, lol!