Learn how to make this keto sushi without rice that’s packed with all the flavors of traditional sushi but super easy to make and perfect for anyone on the ketogenic diet.
Who said that you should give up on sushi while following a keto diet? With only 2g net carbs per serving, this keto sushi recipe is loaded with all the flavors we love in this Japanese treat without worrying about carbs.
- What Is Sushi?
- Is Sushi Keto-Friendly?
- Why Are You Going To Love This Keto Sushi Recipe
- Ingredients For This Keto Sushi Recipe
- How To Make This Keto Sushi Recipe
- Sauce Ideas For Keto Sushi
- Tips For Making Keto Sushi
- Recipe Variations
- Low-Carb Substitutes For Rice In Keto Sushi
- Storing Ideas
- How Many Carbs Are In Sushi?
- How Many Carbs In Spicy Tuna Rolls?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Keto Sushi
So, make this low carb sushi (no rice!) and enjoy a delicious twist on regular sushi made with fresh and wholesome ingredients in only 15 minutes.
Perfect for parties, a quick lunch, or just a fun night with a friend, these low-carb sushi rolls will impress everyone without even noticing that they are keto.
Whether you’re on a keto diet or just what to avoid extra carbs, our recipe is the perfect way to curb those sushi cravings without extra carbs. So grab your bamboo mat and get ready to roll.
You can also try my other Asian-inspired recipes, such as Keto Orange Chicken, Crack Slaw, or Keto Teriyaki Chicken.
What Is Sushi?
Originating from Japan, sushi is a traditional dish made from vinegared rice combined with fresh seafood, vegetables, or fruits, then formed into bite-sized pieces.
They can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main dish with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.
Is Sushi Keto-Friendly?
Traditional sushi it’s not keto since it’s made with sushi rice, sweet sauces, and other high in carbs ingredients which are not good for a keto diet.
However, there are many sushi recipe variations made with cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps, which can be lower in carbs and great for a keto diet.
You can also opt for sashimi, which is simply raw fish without any rice, making it a great keto-friendly option.
Why Are You Going To Love This Keto Sushi Recipe
- Perfect for meal prep. You can make it ahead of time and enjoy it anytime you want.
- It’s a versatile recipe. It can be served as lunch or party appetizer.
- Made from naturally low-carb ingredients.
- Super easy to make. Ready in only 15 minutes.
- It’s a customizable recipe. Feel free to add your favorite veggies to this sushi recipe.
- Has only 2g net carbs per serving.
- Loaded with crunchy veggies and tender, smoky fish.
Ingredients For This Keto Sushi Recipe
One of the best things about this keto sushi recipe is that it requires only a few easy-to-find ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Seaweed Sheets – used to wrap the sushi roll. They provide a salty flavor and add minerals and vitamins to the dish.
- Smoked Salmon – will add a smoky flavor to the dish and make it more savory.
- Cucumber & Carrots – add crunch and flavor to the sushi rolls.
- Cream Cheese – you will need softened cream cheese to ensure it spreads easily on seaweed sheets.
- Green Onion – freshly chopped green onion to garnish.
- Sesame Seeds – used to garnish. They are optional.
- Soy Sauce – used to serve this keto sushi.
How To Make This Keto Sushi Recipe
With a few simple swaps, it’s easy to transform traditional sushi into a delicious and nutritious keto-friendly meal.
Once you see how easy it’s to prepare keto sushi at home, you’ll want to make it over and over again whenever you want to enjoy something easy, delicious, and healthy.
Imagine a serving of sushi rolls loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and protein from salmon, crunchy fresh vegetables for fiber and satiety, all without the added carbs that come along with white rice.
So here is everything you need to do:
Prepare the Vegetables
Wash and cut the cucumber and carrot into thin sticks.
Assemble The Keto Sushi
Lay a seaweed sheet on a sushi mat or flat surface, shiny side down.
Spread the softened cream cheese across the lower 1/3 of the nori sheet horizontally.
Then, add the vegetables and smoked salmon.
Roll The Sushi
Use the sushi mat or your hands to roll the sushi tightly, starting at the bottom and rolling toward the top.
Cut the sushi roll into slices about 1 inch thick using a sharp knife.
Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Enjoy with soy sauce.
Sauce Ideas For Keto Sushi
No keto sushi roll is complete without a delicious dipping sauce. While soy sauce can be high in sugar and carbohydrates, there are plenty of other options that stay true to the low-carb guidelines.
For those looking for something classic, use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos for that salty-sweet flavor you crave.
To add some kick to your rolls, make spicy mayo by mixing together mayonnaise with sriracha or hot sauce – it makes a creamy condiment with just enough heat!
Tips For Making Keto Sushi
- Use a sharp knife to cut your sushi rolls cleanly and evenly.
- Use high-quality ingredients. Look for fresh salmon, and choose fresh and crisp vegetables to complement your sushi with a crunchy texture.
- Use a sushi mat. That will help you roll the sushi tightly and evenly.
- With damp fingers, add a bit of water to the edge of the seaweed; this will help your roll stay together.
- Don’t overstuff your rolls, as it will be difficult tor roll up properly without becoming super messy.
Recipe Variations
- If you are a fan of rice sushi, you can replace it with cauliflower rice for a keto version.
- Add some slices of avocado to provide this sushi with healthy fats.
- Add your favorite vegetables, like bell peppers and asparagus.
- Replace the smoked salmon with shrimp, squid, scallops, or crab.
- Add some chopped nuts or seeds such as almonds, walnuts, or sesame seeds for extra crunch and healthy fats.
Low-Carb Substitutes For Rice In Keto Sushi
The key to success lies in finding low carb substitutes for the classic ingredients like white rice.
One option is a cauliflower rice mixture, which can be made simply by pulsing cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble grains of cooked rice. This savory substitute provides fiber as well as vitamins and minerals while also keeping your carbohydrate count low. You can even buy pre-made cauliflower rice if you’d like to save time in the kitchen.
Shirataki rice is another great choice when making keto sushi rolls. This type of rice has almost no calories but still provides some bulk and texture to your dish. They do have a fishy smell once you open the package, so be sure to rinse and cook them according to the instructions before using them.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store the leftover sushi in the fridge, covered in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Place sushi in a shallow container and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it thaw completely in the fridge before serving.
How Many Carbs Are In Sushi?
Figuring out the carb count of your sushi is essential for staying within a keto diet.
Fortunately, calculating carbs in different types of sushi doesn’t have to be complicated.
In general, one piece of maki sushi contains 3-5 five grams of carbohydrates, and nigiri typically contains 2-4 grams per piece. Here are some examples of the carbs in different types of popular sushi:
How Many Carbs In California Rolls?
On average, one piece of California roll contains around 3-5 grams of carbs. A typical serving of California rolls can contain 6-8 pieces, which means that a full serving of California rolls can contain around 18-30 grams of carbs, depending on the specific ingredients used in the rolls.
Of course, the exact number will depend on what type of ingredients are used when making sushi. For example, if you opt for avocado or cream cheese instead of fish, then the total amount of carbs may increase slightly.
How Many Carbs In Spicy Tuna Rolls?
Spicy tuna rolls are usually made with raw tuna, spicy mayo sauce, and sometimes avocado or cucumber, wrapped in sushi rice and seaweed. The number of carbs in a spicy tuna roll can vary depending on the size of the roll, the amount of rice used, and any added ingredients or sauces.
Usually, one piece of tuna roll contains about 5 grams of carbs, and a full serving of 8 pieces can go up to 40 grams of carbs, or more, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Keto Sushi Ahead Of Time?
Sure, this recipe is great for meal prep. Just prepare the sushi as we did in this recipe and store it in the fridge until you want to enjoy it.
Is Keto Sushi Healthy?
Sure, this keto sushi can be healthy since it’s made with nutritious ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Is Sushi Rice Keto?
Just like regular rice, sushi rice is not keto-friendly because it’s loaded with carbs and can’t be included in a keto meal plan.
Keto Sushi
Description
Ingredients
- 2 large seaweed sheets nori
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- 1/2 large cucumber cut into thin strips
- 1 medium carrot cut into thin strips
- 1/4 cup cream cheese softened
- green onions sliced
- sesame seeds optional
- soy sauce
Instructions
- Wash and slice the cucumber and carrot into thin strips.
- Lay a seaweed sheet on a sushi mat with the shiny side down.
- Spread the cream cheese across the lower 1/3 of the seaweed horizontally, then add the vegetables and smoked salmon.
- Roll the sushi tightly, starting at the bottom and rolling toward the top.
- Cut the sushi roll into slices about 1 inch thick.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Enjoy!!
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
