Keto Sushi Rolls: The Perfect Low Carb Meal

Guide and Tricks on How to Make Delicious Keto Sushi Rolls at Home.

How Many Carbs are in a Typical Serving of Keto Sushi Rolls?

🍣 A typical serving of Keto Sushi Rolls contains around 5-7 net carbs. The number of carbs in a typical serving of keto sushi rolls can vary depending on the specific ingredients and fillings used.

Sushi is one of the most beloved dishes worldwide and has become a popular low carb keto meal option in recent years. However, traditional sushi roll recipes are with rice, which can be high in carbohydrates. Fortunately, with the keto sushi recipe, you can enjoy this delicious meal without worrying about exceeding your carb intake.

Different sushi rolls.
Different sushi rolls.

You can fit a sushi roll recipe for your keto diet in various ways, but one popular method is using cauliflower rice instead of sushi rice or traditional rice wrapped in nori sheets. It can be prepared at home using a food processor or store-bought pre-made ingredients or ordered from a sushi restaurant. When making it at home, there are plenty of keto friendly sushi options for fillings and toppings, such as thin slices of avocado, cucumber sticks, fresh salmon, cream cheese, and keto teriyaki sauce.

Aside from being low in carbs, low carb sushi rolls recipe offers numerous nutritional benefits. Nori sheets are a great source of iodine, while the fillings can provide protein and healthy fats. Making your low carb sushi rolls at home allows you to control the ingredients and avoid any hidden sugars or additives commonly found in sushi restaurants. 

Additionally, the presence of healthy fats in the ingredients helps keep you fuller for longer. In this blog post, we will dive deeper into keto sushi rolls and show you how to make them yourself in your home. These rolls are a low-carb food option and provide multiple health benefits, making them an ideal addition to any diet.

We’ll share our top 3 keto sushi alternatives, each with unique fillings and flavors. We’ll also provide tips for choosing keto toppings and keto sauces that are high in flavor. Plus, we’ll show you how to store your keto sushi rolls so you can enjoy them later on.

Read on if you are on the keto diet or looking for a healthier alternative to your classic sushi rolls recipe.

Table of Contents

How to Make Keto Sushi Rolls Recipe

You can make delicious keto sushi rolls at home with the right ingredients and creativity. This blog post will walk you through the basic ingredients for keto sushi rolls, including cauliflower rice, nori sheets, and protein fillings.

Ingredients

To get started, you’ll need some basic ingredients – cauliflower rice, nori seaweed sheets, and protein fillings of your choice.

  • 1 head of cauliflower
  • 4-6 sheets of nori seaweed
  • 1-2 cups of protein filling (cooked shrimp, smoked salmon, cooked chicken, or tofu)
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: low-carb sauces like mayo, spicy mayo, or keto teriyaki sauce

Sushi roll made of cauliflower and other fillings.
Sushi roll made of cauliflower and other fillings.

Tools to Use

  • Food processor or grater
  • Bamboo sushi mat or bamboo roller
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

Process

  1. Start by making cauliflower rice. Cut the cauliflower head into florets and pulse in a food processor or grate with a cheese grater until it becomes a riced cauliflower. Cook the cauliflower rice in boiling water for 5 minutes or until softened and fragrant. Drain, then wrap it in a thin kitchen cloth to remove excess moisture.
  2. Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to the riced cauliflower and mix well in a sushi bowl—season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Take one sheet of nori seaweed on top of the bamboo mat or spread it flat on a dry surface with the shiny side facing down.
  4. Spread a thin layer of cauliflower rice on top of the nori seaweed, leaving a small border at the top. Then top it with thinly sliced cucumber, avocado, or other fresh vegetables.
  5. Roll the sushi tightly using the bamboo mat, starting from the bottom, tucking in the filling as you go. Press down along each end before placing in an airtight container for 30 minutes before cutting into small pieces for serving.
  6. Use a sharp knife to slice the sushi roll into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Serve with your favorite low-carb sauce, and enjoy!

Additionally, plenty of alternative recipes incorporate zucchini wraps, egg wraps, or lettuce wraps instead of nori sheets – which can be just as tasty.

Sushi mat with different sushi rolls.
Sushi mat with different sushi rolls.

Nutritional Benefits

As mentioned, eating keto sushi rolls is a great way to enjoy a nutritious and delicious meal that’s low in carbs, high in protein, and balanced with the right amount of healthy fats. They are ideal for those following a low-carb diet, as they provide an excellent balance of macronutrients – with carbohydrates coming mainly from the cauliflower rice, proteins from the fillings, and healthy fats from vegetables like avocado or cucumber.

Sushi roll on plate with soy sauce.
Sushi roll on plate with soy sauce.

Protein fillings like shrimp, smoked salmon, chicken, or tofu provide a good source of protein, essential for building and repairing muscles, maintaining a healthy immune system, and keeping you full and satisfied.

Here is a list of nutritional facts for a typical keto sushi roll made with cauliflower rice, protein filling, avocado, and cucumber:

  • Calories: 180
  • Total fat: 11g
  • Saturated fat: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Total carbohydrates: 8g
  • Dietary fiber: 4g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 13g

In addition to being low-carb and high in protein, these rolls also make great snacks. They are easy to store, travel well, and are versatile enough to mix with your desired flavors. So keto sushi rolls might be perfect if you’re looking for a quick and tasty snack option that fits your dietary restrictions.

Top 3 Keto Sushi Rolls Alternatives

If you are still looking for other flavors or other ways you can enjoy your low carb keto sushi, we have prepared the top 3 keto sushi roll alternatives you can enjoy:

Cucumber Sushi Rolls Recipe

Cucumber sushi rolls are a great alternative to regular sushi rolls, especially if you want a low-carb or grain-free option. To make cucumber sushi rolls, cut a cucumber lengthwise into thin strips using a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer. Next, lay a nori sheet on a sushi mat and spread a layer of cauliflower rice on top, leaving a 1-inch border at the top edge.

Place the cucumber slices, avocado, and protein filling of your choice on top of the cauliflower rice, and then carefully roll the sushi mat away from you, using your fingers to keep the filling in place. Once the roll is complete, slice it into bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife. Cucumber sushi rolls are a refreshing and low-carb alternative to traditional sushi rolls, and they are easy to customize with your favorite fillings. You can also experiment with different dipping sauces, such as soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, or spicy mayo.

Cucumber sushi roll.
Cucumber sushi roll.

The general breakdown of the macronutrient content:

  • Calories: 80-120 (depending on the filling and amount of cauliflower rice used)
  • Total fat: 4-8g
  • Saturated fat: 1-2g
  • Cholesterol: 0-25mg (depending on the protein filling)
  • Sodium: 100-300mg (depending on the type and amount of sauce used)
  • Total carbohydrates: 6-10g
  • Dietary fiber: 2-4g
  • Total sugars: 1-3g
  • Protein: 4-10g

Cucumber sushi rolls are a low-carb, low-calorie option rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. By using cauliflower rice instead of traditional sushi rice, you can reduce the carb content while still enjoying the texture and flavor of the sushi.

Cucumbers and other vegetables like avocado and bell peppers add additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the roll. Protein fillings like shrimp, salmon, or tofu provide a good source of protein, essential for building and repairing muscles and keeping you full and satisfied.

Zucchini Sushi Rolls

Another low carb and gluten free sushi roll alternative are Zucchini sushi rolls. Zucchini slices are used instead of rice, making the rolls high in fiber. Zucchini is also a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. You will need simple ingredients like zucchini, cauliflower rice, protein filling, and nori sheets to make zucchini sushi rolls. The process is similar to making traditional sushi rolls, but you will use zucchini slices instead of rice. Once the roll is complete, you can slice it into bite-sized pieces and serve it with soy sauce or tamari for dipping. Zucchini sushi rolls are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy sushi without carbs or grains.

Zucchini Roll with avocado.
Zucchini Roll with avocado.

A rough estimate of the nutritional values of zucchini sushi rolls made with zucchini, cauliflower rice, and shrimp filling:

  • Serving size: 6 pieces
  • Calories: 150
  • Total fat: 5g
  • Saturated fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 60mg
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Total carbohydrates: 11g
  • Dietary fiber: 4g
  • Total sugars: 4g
  • Protein: 15g

Egg Wrap Sushi Rolls

Instead of using nori sheets or rice, egg wraps are used to create a low-carb, high-protein outer layer. To make egg wrap sushi, whisk together eggs and a small amount of water and then cook the mixture in a nonstick pan to create thin egg wraps. Once the egg wraps have cooled, they can be filled with cauliflower sushi rice ingredients. Cut the sushi into bite-sized pieces and serve with soy sauce or other dipping keto sauce.

Eggs are a great source of high-quality protein, essential for building and repairing muscle tissue and helping keep you full and satisfied. Additionally, egg wrap sushi keto rolls are a good option for those sensitive to nori sheets or looking for a new way to enjoy sushi. 

Nutritional values of egg wrap keto sushi recipe:

  • Serving size: 6 pieces
  • Calories: 200
  • Total fat: 12g
  • Saturated fat: 2.5g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg
  • Sodium: 400mg
  • Total carbohydrates: 6g
  • Dietary fiber: 3g
  • Total sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
Sushi roll made with egg.
Sushi roll made with egg.

Tips and Optional Fillings

Here are some tips for making the perfect keto sushi recipe:

  • Use a sushi mat to help keep the sushi rolls tightly packed and prevent them from falling apart. If you don’t have a sushi mat, you can also use a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
  • Wet the nori sheet with a small amount of water before adding the fillings can help it stick together better and prevent it from tearing.
  • Using cauliflower rice instead of rice can make your sushi rolls much lower in carbs and higher in fiber.
  • Use high-quality ingredients to ensure that the flavors are balanced and delicious.
  • Get creative with fillings; you can use many keto-friendly fillings in your sushi rolls, such as avocado, crab meat, or other imitation crab meat, smoked salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese. You can also experiment with different sauces and seasonings to add flavor.

Optional Fillings

Here are some delicious and keto-friendly fillings you can use for your sushi rolls:

  • Asparagus – adds a fresh and crunchy texture to your sushi rolls.
  • Radish – gives a sharp and slightly spicy flavor to your sushi rolls.
  • Pickled ginger – a traditional sushi accompaniment that adds a tangy and refreshing flavor to your sushi rolls.
  • Carrots– high in fiber and add a sweet and crunchy texture to your sushi rolls.
  • Tuna or spicy tuna – is another great source of protein and healthy fats.
  • Cream cheese – perfect for adding flavor and texture to your sushi rolls. Mix it with smoked salmon or avocado for a delicious combination.
  • Spinach – a nutrient-dense leafy green that adds a fresh and earthy flavor to your sushi rolls.
  • Sesame seeds – are a great source of healthy fats and add a nutty and toasty flavor.

These are just a few ideas for keto-friendly fillings for your sushi rolls. You can also get creative and experiment with other ingredients, such as tofu, spinach, or radish sprouts. 

Rolling the sushi with bamboo mat.
Rolling the sushi with bamboo mat.

How to Store Keto Sushi

Sushi rolls are best consumed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can last for up to 2-3 days in the fridge. Separating each roll with a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper is also a good idea to prevent them from sticking together.

You can use a small cooler bag with an ice pack or a bento box with a cold pack to keep the sushi rolls cool when traveling. Additionally, if you’re packing the sushi rolls with dipping sauce, keeping the sauce in a separate container to prevent the rolls from getting soggy is best.

Packing the sushi rolls tightly is also helpful to prevent them from unraveling during transport. You can wrap them in plastic or secure them with a toothpick to keep them in place. These tips allow you to enjoy delicious and healthy keto sushi rolls anytime.

Sushi roll on a container.
Sushi roll on a container.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Sushi Can I Eat on Keto?

Keto-friendly sushi options include rolls without rice, low-carb ingredients like cucumber, avocado, and raw fish, and rolls made with cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.

What is Sushi Without Rice Called?

Sushi without rice is typically called sashimi.

Is Maki Sushi Keto Friendly?

Maki sushi is not generally considered keto-friendly since it contains rice, which is high in carbohydrates. However, some keto-friendly alternatives include maki rolls made with cauliflower rice or rolls without rice filled with low-carb ingredients like cucumber, avocado, and raw fish.

It’s important to check the ingredients for hidden sources of carbohydrates and to be mindful of sodium intake.

Final Thoughts

Keto sushi rolls are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional sushi, high in carbs. With low-carb ingredients like cauliflower rice, nori sheets, and a variety of keto-friendly fillings, you can enjoy a satisfying meal that fits perfectly into your low-carb diet.

Following the step-by-step instructions and tips, you can easily make keto sushi rolls at home and experiment with different fillings and flavors. Whether packing them for a meal on the go or enjoying them fresh, these rolls are a perfect low-carb option to satisfy your sushi cravings while keeping you on track with your healthy lifestyle goals.