Homemade Dragon Rolls Recipe

Dragon rolls are a delicious and visually stunning sushi roll that blends fresh ingredients with a touch of spice. Perfect for sushi lovers looking to recreate a restaurant favorite at home, this roll features creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and savory shrimp or crab with a spicy kick.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sushi rice
• 4 sheets nori
• 1 cucumber, sliced into thin strips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cooked shrimp or crab meat
• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to the package instructions. While still warm, season the rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, mixing gently to combine.
2. Step 2: Prepare the fillings by slicing the cucumber and avocado into thin strips. Set them aside for assembly.
3. Step 3: Lay a bamboo rolling mat covered with plastic wrap on your work surface. Place one sheet of nori on the mat with the shiny side facing down.
4. Step 4: Wet your hands to prevent sticking and spread about 1 cup of the sushi rice evenly over two-thirds of the nori sheet, leaving the far edge clear.
5. Step 5: Arrange the shrimp or crab, cucumber, and avocado strips along the center of the rice-covered nori. Drizzle with sriracha sauce to add a spicy flavor.
6. Step 6: Using the bamboo mat, roll the sushi tightly from the rice-covered side, applying gentle but firm pressure to create a compact cylinder. Use a sharp knife dipped in water to slice the roll into eight pieces.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the rolled sushi before slicing.
• Use crab sticks or imitation crab meat if fresh crab is unavailable.
• Try incorporating thin slices of mango for a sweet twist.
• If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the sriracha sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover dragon rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Sushi is best enjoyed fresh, so avoid keeping it for longer periods. Before eating, allow refrigerated rolls to come to room temperature for improved texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of seafood in dragon rolls?

Yes, you can substitute shrimp or crab with cooked salmon, tuna, or even cooked eel to customize your dragon roll.

How do I prevent the rice from sticking to my hands?

Keep a small bowl of water nearby and wet your hands before handling the sushi rice. This will prevent the rice from sticking and make spreading it easier.

Homemade Dragon Rolls Recipe

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4.6 from 90 reviews

Homemade Dragon Rolls are a delicious and colorful sushi roll featuring seasoned sushi rice, fresh cucumber, creamy avocado, and your choice of cooked shrimp or crab meat, all rolled tightly in nori sheets and spiced up with sriracha sauce. This recipe provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a great option for sushi lovers to prepare at home with simple ingredients and straightforward steps.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 rolls (32 pieces) 1x
• Category: Stovetop
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Japanese
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Sushi Rice

• 2 cups sushi rice
• Rice vinegar (for seasoning, about 3 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt

Roll Ingredients

• 4 sheets nori
• 1 cucumber, sliced into thin strips
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 cup cooked shrimp or crab meat
• 2 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Prepare Sushi Rice: Rinse the sushi rice under cold water repeatedly until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Cook the rice following the package instructions. Once cooked, gently mix in rice vinegar, sugar, and salt while the rice is still warm to season it properly. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare Fillings: Slice the cucumber and avocado into thin strips and set them aside, making sure they are uniform for even rolling and presentation.
3. Set Up Rolling Mat: Cover a bamboo sushi rolling mat with plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Place one nori sheet shiny side down onto the mat, ensuring it is positioned correctly for rolling.
4. Spread Sushi Rice: Wet your hands to prevent the rice from sticking, then evenly spread about 1 cup of sushi rice over two-thirds of the nori sheet, leaving the top third uncovered to seal the roll properly.
5. Add Fillings: Arrange the cooked shrimp or crab meat, cucumber strips, and avocado strips along the center of the rice-covered portion of the nori. Drizzle sriracha sauce over the fillings to add a spicy kick.
6. Roll the Sushi: Using the bamboo mat, roll the nori tightly from the edge closest to you, applying gentle but firm pressure to form a compact cylindrical shape. Moisten the exposed edge of the nori to help seal the roll.
7. Slice and Serve: Dip a sharp knife in water to prevent sticking, then slice the roll into eight equal pieces. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top as a garnish before serving.

Notes

• Use a sharp knife dipped in water each time before slicing to avoid squashing the roll.
• Substitute shrimp or crab with cooked eel or tofu for variations.
• Chill rice slightly before rolling for better handling.
• Adjust sriracha amount according to spice preference.
• Serve immediately for freshest taste and texture.

Keywords: Dragon Roll, sushi recipe, homemade sushi, sushi rolls, Japanese cuisine, avocado sushi, shrimp sushi, crab sushi