Crab and Quinoa California Rolls
Crab and Quinoa California Rolls is an easy homemade sushi recipe. Cooked quinoa, crab meat, mayo sauce, avocado and cumber rolled in seaweed.
Sometimes healthy eating can become a bit routine. I’ve found myself getting into phases of similar meals— like Blueberry Peanut Smoothies, salads, chicken and vegetables. Luckily I enjoy all of these, but wholesome food can be so much more. With a bit of creativity and inspiration, you can enjoy unique recipes like these Crab and Quinoa California Rolls anytime.
Sushi rolls are pretty much the only thing I order at Japanese restaurants, yet I’ve never made them at home. These quinoa California rolls are surprisingly simple, with only a handful of ingredients. I suggest finding real crab meat, even canned, instead of the imitation crab (which is often flavored fish mixed with unwanted ingredients and preservatives). The flavor of real crab meat will be much richer and you’ll notice the difference in texture as well.
Typically, California rolls include crab meat, with vegetables like cucumber and avocado, wrapped in seaweed sheets. To make these healthier and create a unique recipe for the home cook, I also used quinoa in the mixture.
I’ve taken a few shortcuts to save time and help things go smoothly with these Crab and Quinoa California Rolls. Since quinoa isn’t sticky like sushi rice, unless it’s overcooked, some organic mayo mixed in helps hold it together.
Add some to the crab meat as well, along with lemon juice and spices. Then spread over sushi sheets with cucumber and avocado, roll and slice. You’ll have homemade quinoa california rolls full of healthy, wholesome gluten-free ingredients.
Looking for more healthy and wholesome appetizers? My Vegan Vietnamese Spring Rolls is a must try!
Craving for more? Try this sushi seaweed wrap, the combination of tuna salad with crisp veggies wrapped in nori sheets will give you that sushi-like experience!
More appetizer recipes you might like:
- Chorizo Queso Dip
- BLT Coleslaw Salad
- Creamy Rice and Crab Dip Appetizer
- Vegan Pork Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Caribbean Mango Sauced Meatballs
- Creamy Ricotta Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Homemade Hummus
Crab and Quinoa California Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa dry
- 16 ounces fresh or drained canned crab meat cooked and chilled
- ½ cup organic mayonnaise divided
- 1 lemon juiced
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 nori seaweed sheets
- ½ cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 avocado sliced
Instructions
- Cook quinoa according to package directions. Bring to room temperature, then chill until cold. Stir in ¼-cup of mayo and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together crab meat, remaining mayo, lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Spread some of the quinoa mixture up to the edges on the bottom ¾ of a seaweed sheet, about ¼-inch thick. Top with a layer of crab meat mixture. Add a few cucumber and avocado slices to the center.
- Tightly roll from the bottom to form a tube. Add a bit of water to the edge to help seal if needed. Repeat with remaining ingredients to form additional rolls.
- Cut each with a sharp knife into roughly 1-inch pieces and serve immediately.
Note: You may use more or less sushi sheets depending on size and filling thickness.
Looks delicious. Can you please tell me if the nutritional values that are posted are for one little piece or for all 24 in the serving I’m confused about that.
Hi. It’s per roll and I updated the panel to reflect that. Thanks.
This sounds so intriguing. I love sushi so will have to try this.
Such a great way to use Quinoa. These rolls look like the perfect appetizer for a party or anytime 🙂
Sushi rolls are something I’ve never had before even before I was vegan. I’ve always had issues with the Nori wraps . I could never wrap them well enough so they wouldn’t crumble LOL beautiful presentation and I never heard of Village Harvest before but I like what they stand. Do they sell this product at all World Wide?
Hi Gina and thanks for the lovely feedback. The moisture in the prepared mixture helps and they totally wrapped fine. They sell online and you can also check their store finder.