All the flavors of your favorite California roll—without the rolling! This 10-Minute California Sushi Bowl is a quick, fresh, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weekdays, healthy lunches, or light dinners. It’s everything you love about sushi, conveniently served in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This deconstructed sushi bowl is a no-fuss, no-cook meal that comes together in just 10 minutes. It’s loaded with fresh, crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, sweet crab, and seasoned rice—all topped off with a tangy drizzle and sesame seeds.

No rolling, no fuss
Quick and easy—ready in 10 minutes
Customizable with your favorite sushi ingredients
Great for meal prep or on-the-go lunches
Naturally gluten-free with easy dairy-free options

ingredients

10-Minute California Sushi Bowl (Super Fresh)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Imitation crab or real lump crab meat
Cooked white rice (sushi rice or jasmine rice works well)
Rice vinegar
Cucumber
Avocado
Carrots
Nori sheets or seaweed snacks
Soy sauce or tamari
Sesame seeds
Sriracha mayo or spicy mayo (optional)

directions

In a bowl, season your warm cooked rice with rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. Stir gently to combine.
Dice cucumber, slice avocado, and shred carrots.
Flake the crab meat with a fork or chop into bite-sized pieces.
Assemble your bowl: add a scoop of seasoned rice, then top with crab, cucumber, carrots, avocado, and nori pieces.
Drizzle with soy sauce and spicy mayo (if using), and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve immediately.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 2 servings.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Variations

Protein Swap: Use shrimp, smoked salmon, or tofu instead of crab.
Low-Carb Option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice.
Add Pickled Veggies: Include pickled ginger, radish, or jalapeños for extra tang.
Extra Crunch: Top with crispy fried onions or tempura flakes.
Spice It Up: Add wasabi or more sriracha for extra heat.

storage/reheating

These bowls are best served fresh, but you can prep the ingredients separately and assemble just before eating.

Store components (rice, chopped veggies, crab) in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

FAQs

Can I use real crab instead of imitation?

Yes, real crab meat adds extra flavor and nutrition. Use lump crab meat if available.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, as long as you use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce and check your crab meat packaging.

Can I make it ahead for lunch?

Yes, just keep the components separate and assemble right before eating to keep everything fresh.

What kind of rice should I use?

Sushi rice or jasmine rice works best. Brown rice is a good option too for more fiber.

Can I use canned crab?

Yes, just be sure to drain it well and check for shell pieces.

What’s a good spicy mayo substitute?

You can mix mayonnaise with sriracha or use a store-bought spicy mayo.

How can I make it vegetarian?

Swap the crab for tofu, edamame, or even chickpeas.

Do I need to cook the crab?

Imitation crab is pre-cooked and ready to eat. Real crab meat is typically cooked as well—check the packaging to be sure.

How long can the assembled bowl sit out?

It’s best to eat within 1 hour if not refrigerated to keep it fresh and food-safe.

Can I add more toppings?

Absolutely! Try avocado, edamame, radish, cucumber, jalapeños, or scallions—make it your own.

Conclusion

This 10-Minute California Sushi Bowl is your go-to recipe when you’re craving sushi without the time or hassle. Fresh, customizable, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect balance of convenience and satisfaction. Make it once, and you’ll want it in your weekly lunch lineup.