Sweet Potato Sushi (Vegan Sushi Recipe)
A sweet potato sushi (sweet potato maki) is made up of roasted sweet potato and sushi rice, wrapped in a nori sheet. Sushi in this form is called Makizushi, or as we know it, a maki roll.
This sushi is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, as it does not contain any animal products.
This sushi can be served as it is, or with some wasabi and any dipping sauces you desire on the side.
What Are The Key Ingredients?
The key elements of the sushi are rice and sweet potatoes. These two should be prepared to perfection if you want quality sushi.
Sushi Rice
Sushi rice is technically more about the preparation method than the choice of rice. It is made by combining hot cooked short-grain rice with sugar, salt, and vinegar. This mixture is afterwards being cooled and used for sushi.
The main thing when preparing sushi rice is seasoning correctly. You can cook the rice over a stove, in a microwave, or in a rice maker – it doesn’t really matter, as long as you season 1 cup of rice with:
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Also, when seasoning the rice, make sure your sugar is dissolved within the vinegar. I usually warm rice vinegar with sugar and salt in a microwave, for 30 seconds, until the sugar is dissolved.
Drizzle the vinegar over rice and fold until combined with seasoning.
Sweet Potato
Roasted sweet potatoes are easy to make, but still people get carried away and make mistakes.
Here are some of the general rules I follow:
- Be generous with oil – Use oil or butter. Do not skimp on the oil or melted butter or you will end up with dry sweet potatoes stuck to your baking sheet.
- Do not crowd the pan – You will get more color if your potatoes have room to let off moisture instead of steaming on top of each other.
- Roast until they toast – Do not flip your sweet potatoes or stir them until the edges have a little color. Color is a good indicator of doneness, but also taste.
The sweet potatoes bring the most flavor in this sushi. You can season them as you like, but here are few simple tips that can upgrade their flavor:
- Use flavored oil – Do not limit yourself with olive oil only. You can add herb flavored oil, or garlic oil. You can also use nut oil, but add some while potatoes are still warm after roasting.
- Use fruit juice – Sweet potatoes roasted with a little apple cider vinegar or orange juice (added with oil) will create a nice caramelized glaze.
- Use spices – The sweet potatoes and nori sheets pair well with chili powder, nutmeg, and garlic. Use these spices with the sweet potatoes, and they will contribute an amazing flavor to the dish.
How To Serve Sushi
Sushi is best served with different sauces. Here are some of the most popular sauces that pair perfectly with sweet potato sushi:
- Bang bang sauce – A sauce made with Sriracha, mayonnaise, and a bit of honey. For a vegan version, use vegan mayo and maple syrup.
- Miso ginger dressing – Tart and beautiful dressing that can be used as a sauce. It will lift up sushi and it pars perfectly with any kind of veggies.
- Chili crisp sauce – Crispy and spicy sauce made with garlic and fried chili pepper. The chili crisp has a crunchy texture and umami finish to it.
What Can I Change In The Recipe?
Sweet potato sushi is flexible with its primary ingredients. Variations can include different sweet potato preparations, such as oven roasted, tempura battered, fried, or microwaved.
You can also add pickled or raw vegetables or even some avocado.
Sweet Potato Sushi Recipe
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 sushi rolls
Ingredients:
For the rice:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
For the sushi:
- 2 nori sheets
- 1 tsp back sesame seeds
- 1 sweet potato
Instructions
1. Cut the potato into ½-inch thick pieces and roast them for 15-20 minutes at 425°F.
2. Heat rice vinegar with sugar and salt in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds. Give it a stir until the sugar is dissolved. Season the rice with the rice vinegar and stir until well combined.
3. Place a nori sheet on a bamboo mat. Spread half the rice over one nori sheet.
4. Sprinkle it with sesame seeds.
5. Place half the sweet potato on the narrow side of the nori sheet.
6. Roll the sushi by lifting the bamboo mat all the way through. Repeat the process with remaining ingredients.
7. Place the sushi on a cutting board and cut into individual sushi bites.
8. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Sweet Potato Sushi (Vegan Sushi Recipe)
Deliciously vegan sushi from the comfort of your own kitchen!
Ingredients
For the rice:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt
For the sushi:
- 2 nori sheets
- 1 tsp back sesame seeds
- 1 sweet potato
Instructions
- Cut the potato into ½-inch thick pieces and roast them for 15-20 minutes at 425°F.
- Heat rice vinegar with sugar and salt in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds. Give it a stir until the sugar is dissolved. Season the rice with the rice vinegar and stir until well combined.
- Place a nori sheet on a bamboo mat. Spread half the rice over one nori sheet.
- Sprinkle it with sesame seeds.
- Place half the sweet potato on the narrow side of the nori sheet.
- Roll the sushi by lifting the bamboo mat all the way through. Repeat the process with remaining ingredients.
- Place the sushi on a cutting board and cut into individual sushi bites.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!