Homemade Maki Sushi (classic and inverted)

Homemade Maki Sushi (classic and inverted) is a medium Japanese recipe that serves 4. 400 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking by Nissou on YouTube.

Prep: 1 hr 40 min | Cook: 19 min | Total: 2 hrs 14 min

Cost: $15.32 total, $3.83 per serving

Ingredients

  • 500 g Japanese short-grain sushi rice (Rinse until water is clear)
  • 550 ml Water (About 1.1 times the volume of the rice)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar (Small coffee cup)
  • 3 tablespoons Sugar
  • 0.5 tablespoon Salt (for the vinegar)
  • 4 Nori seaweed sheets (Shiny side down)
  • 1 can (140 g) Canned tuna (in water) (Drained)
  • 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 1 medium Cucumber (Peeled, seeded, cut into sticks)
  • 1 medium Avocado (Pitted, sliced)
  • 100 g Smoked salmon
  • 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Sweet chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Chili sauce
  • 1 small handful Fried onions (For garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice

    Place the rice in a large bowl and rinse under cold water, rubbing with your hands until the water runs clear.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Drain the rice

    Pour the rinsed rice into a fine sieve and let it drain well for 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

  3. Add water and salt

    Transfer the rice to a saucepan, add about 550 ml of water (slightly more than the rice volume) and 1 teaspoon of salt, then stir quickly.

    Time: PT1M

  4. Cook the rice

    Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover, then reduce to low heat as soon as the liquid boils. Cook for 10‑12 minutes until the water is fully absorbed.

    Time: PT12M

  5. Prepare sushi vinegar

    In a small saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar and 0.5 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil while stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved, then remove from heat.

    Time: PT7M

  6. Season the rice

    Pour the hot vinegar over the cooked rice, then gently fold with a wooden spoon using cutting motions so as not to crush the grains.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Cool the rice

    Spread the seasoned rice in a wide dish, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

    Time: PT30M

  8. Prepare the vegetables

    Peel the cucumber, remove the seeds and cut into thin sticks. Halve the avocado, remove the pit, then slice into strips.

    Time: PT8M

  9. Prepare the tuna mixture

    In a bowl, crumble the canned tuna, add 1 tablespoon soy sauce and mix until homogeneous.

    Time: PT3M

  10. Prepare the sushi mat

    Unroll the sushi mat and cover it with a sheet of plastic wrap to ease rolling and cleaning.

    Time: PT1M

  11. Moisten your hands

    Fill a small container with water and briefly dip your hands before handling the rice to prevent sticking.

    Time: PT1M

  12. Assemble classic maki (tuna)

    Place a nori sheet, shiny side down, on the mat. Spread a thin layer of rice over the upper half of the sheet, leaving a 2 cm margin at the top. Arrange the tuna mixture, a few cucumber sticks and avocado strips. Roll firmly using the mat, tightening with each turn.

    Time: PT20M

  13. Assemble inverted maki (smoked salmon)

    Place a nori sheet, shiny side down, on the mat. Spread rice over the entire surface, sprinkle with chopped chives. Flip the sheet (the rice becomes the outer face). Lay smoked salmon strips and avocado in the centre, then roll firmly as before.

    Time: PT20M

  14. Prepare the spicy sauce

    In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce and chili sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.

    Time: PT2M

  15. Cut the rolls

    Moisten the knife with water, wipe excess, then cut each roll into 6 to 8 equal pieces with clean, swift motions.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
400
Protein
15 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: Pescetarian, Gluten‑free (if using gluten‑free soy sauce)

Allergens: Fish, Eggs, Soy

Last updated: April 7, 2026

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Homemade Maki Sushi (classic and inverted)

Recipe by Cooking by Nissou

Learn how to prepare homemade maki sushi, both classic tuna and inverted smoked salmon, with perfectly seasoned vinegared rice, crunchy vegetables and a homemade spicy sauce. This detailed recipe guides you step by step, from rinsing the rice to cutting the rolls, for a result worthy of a Japanese restaurant.

MediumJapaneseServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 38m
Prep
21m
Cook
14m
Cleanup
2h 13m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$15.32
Total cost
$3.83
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Rinse the rice until the water is clear
  • Precise rice cooking (medium then low heat)
  • Prepare and incorporate sushi vinegar while the rice is hot
  • Let the rice cool completely in the refrigerator
  • Roll the maki with constant pressure
  • Cut the rolls with a well‑moistened knife

Safety Warnings

  • Be careful of steam when boiling the vinegar.
  • Use a sharp knife to avoid slips.
  • Handle hot rice with care to avoid burns.

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