Keto California Roll Recipe (with keto sushi rice!)

It is totally possible to make keto California rolls using my keto sushi rice recipe! Traditional sushi made with sushi rice may be a challenge to eat if you are following a low carb, ketogenic diet or if you are watching your blood sugar. However, this recipe uses cauliflower instead of rice so it does not elicit the same glucose response. Yay for all you sushi lovers, I’ve got just the recipe for you.

I created this recipe for Levels Health. Let me tell you, creating sushi that elicits a level glucose response was a fun challenge. I hope you have fun with this recipe and enjoy eating sushi again!

I’ve created loads of other recipes for Levels Health including this Lower Carb Cowboy Caviar, Romesco Sauce or this decadent Salted Pistachio Chocolate Torte.

Why You’ll Love This Keto California Roll Recipe

This recipe for Keto California rolls will elicit a level glucose response so you can enjoy eating sushi again. It’s simple to make and is easily customizable to your favorite sushi ingredients.

Ingredients To Make This California Roll

Sushi “rice” ingredients

• Frozen cauliflower rice – I used one 12 oz bag of cauliflower rice but you can also use fresh cauliflower and rice it yourself
• Unseasoned rice vinegar – I used one tablespoon of rice vinegar. Make sure it says no sugar on the label.
• Psyllium husk flakes – I used 2 tablespoons of psyllium husks to make this ‘rice.’
• Sugar free powdered sugar I used powdered monkfruit sweetener.
• Sea salt

California roll ingredients

• Sesame seeds– I used 2 tablespoons of white sesame seeds. Black are also good.
• Cucumber – 1 small cucumber, seeds scooped out and cut into matchsticks.
• Avocado – 1 small avocado, sliced
• Nori seaweed – I used 2 sheets to make these California rolls.
• Fresh or canned crab meat – Stay away from fake “crab” as it is full of sugar and fillers.
• Avocado oil – mayonnaise or homemade mayo.
• Tobiko fish roe- I added 2-3 tablespoons of fish roe but this is optional.

For serving

• Tamari – if you can’t find tamari a low sodium soy sauce will also work. Look for gluten-free. Or you can use coconut aminos.
• Wasabi
• Pickled ginger

Equipment

• mixing bowl
• colander
• bamboo sushi mat
• plastic wrap
• sharp knife

How To Make Keto California Rolls

Make your sushi “rice”

• Steam your bag of cauliflower rice according to the package directions- mine took 4 minutes.
• Pour the bag of cauliflower rice into a colander and allow it to drain. Do not squeeze the water out, simply allow it to drain.
• Pour the drained cauliflower rice into a medium bowl.
• Sprinkle your cauliflower with rice vinegar, psyllium, powdered sugar and sea salt.
• Mix well until all the ingredients are combined.
• Pop the “rice” into the refrigerator while you prepare your California roll ingredients. “Rice” can also be made a day or two ahead of time.

Prep your California Roll ingredients

• Cut cucumber into matchsticks, slice the avocado.
• Drain your crab meat and mix with mayo.

Assemble your California Roll

• Cover a bamboo sushi rolling mat with plastic wrap and place one sheet of nori on top with the rough side facing up.
• Spoon about 4 heaping tablespoons of “rice” onto the nori and spread evenly to the edges using your fingers. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, then flip the whole sheet over so that the “rice” is facing down (it will be on the outside of the roll).
• Leave a gap of about one inch at the top of your sheet of nori and then arrange your filling in rows on the nori: crab, avocado, cucumber and tobiko (if using).
• Roll both the nori and the mat and squeeze as you go so that the roll is tight.
• On a cutting board, cut the roll using a very sharp knife- it may help to rub the knife with a damp paper towel between cuts. Slice your California roll into 6-8 equal pieces.
• Enjoy your California roll with tamari, wasabi and pickled ginger.

Storage

These keto California rolls will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. I do not recommend freezing them.

Pro Tips

If you have made sushi before, this recipe will come easy to you. If you have never made sushi before, by the second roll you will be a pro. The best tip I can give is to squeeze as you are rolling your sushi using a bamboo mat.

Make sure to pick up your avocados a few days before you want to make these rolls so they can ripen.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cauliflower to make the sushi rice?

Yes, you can use fresh cauliflower. Make sure to place it in the food processor to rice it and then steam it. Drain as you would the frozen cauliflower.

Can you eat California rolls on a low carb, keto diet?

Sushi rice is not recommended if you are following a ketogenic diet as it is high in carbs. However, this recipe for California rolls uses cauliflower instead making it suitable for those on a low carb diet.

What can I substitute for crab meat in these California rolls?

If you aren’t a fan of crab meat you can use fresh, sushi grade salmon or smoked salmon instead.

Did you make this recipe? If you did, please tag me and share on Instagram!

My glucose response to this keto California Roll recipe: