Veggie Sushi Hand Roll
Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 28 Jan 2026
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These vibrant vegetable sushi hand rolls, also known as temaki, offer a fresh and nutritious take on a Japanese classic. Using nutty short-grain brown rice provides a wholesome base that pairs perfectly with the crisp, colourful crunch of julienned carrots, peppers, and refreshing cucumber. This vegan-friendly recipe is remarkably simple to assemble at home, making it a fantastic choice for a light lunch or a social dinner where guests can customise their own fillings.
Packed with vitamins and minerals, this healthy dish is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. The combination of sweet peppers and savoury nori creates a balanced flavour profile that children and adults alike will enjoy. Serve these hand rolls immediately with a side of low-sodium soy sauce for a clean, satisfying meal that brings the bright flavours of a sushi bar straight to your kitchen.
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Ingredients for Veggie Sushi Hand Roll
650ml short-grain brown rice
950ml water
60ml unseasoned rice vinegar
1 carrot
1 cucumber, unpeeled
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
1/2 cup fresh chives
10 sheets nori (seaweed)
Low-sodium soy sauce for dipping (optional)
How to make Veggie Sushi Hand Roll
Back to contentsPlace the rice in a coarse-mesh sieve and rinse with cold running water until water runs clear. Shake out excess water.
In a large saucepan, combine rice and water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer rice to a bowl and sprinkle with rice vinegar; toss and let cool.
Meanwhile, peel the carrot and cut into matchsticks. Cut the unpeeled cucumber lengthwise in half; discard seeds. Then cut cucumber into matchsticks. Slice peppers into matchsticks. Cut chives to match the length of the vegetables. All vegetables should be about the same length and thickness. Cut each nori sheet in half crosswise.
To prepare sushi, hold the nori in one hand, shiny side down. Dip your free hand in a small bowl of water to prevent sticking. Using your wet hand, shape 45g rice into a ball and place on the left side of nori sheet. Spread the rice to a 1/4-inch thickness, leaving about a 1-inch border of nori on the sides. With your finger, make a crosswise “well” in the centre of rice where vegetables will go.
Place 1–2 sticks of each vegetable (carrot, cucumber, peppers, and chives) in the well and tightly press vegetables together. (Let kids pick combos of their favourites, but making colorful sushi is the goal!)
To roll sushi, start with bottom left edge of the nori and bring it up on a diagonal to the centre of the rice and vegetable. Start rolling the sushi to the right to create a cone shape, using your free hand to tuck it all together tightly. With your fingertip, place a drop of water on the outside bottom corner of the nori to hold the sushi together.
Repeat steps 4–6 with remaining ingredients.
Place sushi rolls on a platter and serve with low-sodium soy sauce for dipping, if you like.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
28 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
UK recipe editors
Peer reviewed by
UK recipe editors

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