These vegan Tofu Sushi Rolls with Quinoa are sweet and savory - perfect for a weeknight meal.
💌 SAVE THIS
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Quinoa has always been a grain of choice for me. It is easy to make and it is high in protein. It is one of those grains that I like to include in a salad or use in place of rice.
Lately, I have been eating tofu and veggies wrapped in nori sheets in place of bread. So instead of making more wraps with nori, I thought some Tofu Sushi Rolls with Quinoa were in order.
Vegan sushi rolls are one of those easy go-to vegan meals that I like to make when I want something quick, healthy, and filling. They are like fresh Vegetable Summer Rolls because I always have nori sheets and rice paper wraps in my pantry, so I can whip them up in no time.
Another vegan sushi recipe is my Vegan Sweet Potato Sushi Rolls.
Tamari and sesame oil are two ingredients that I love to cook tofu with. They both add a lot of flavors, so I always have them in my pantry. For these vegan sushi rolls, I used a sweet dipping sauce with sugar.
Have you had quinoa for breakfast? Try my Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl or my Chocolate Quinoa Bowl. They taste like porridge but with quinoa.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love Them
- They are quick, healthy, and filling.
- Made with tofu cooked in tamari and sesame oil, they are savory and flavorful.
- Made with quinoa, they are a nice alternative to sushi rolls made with rice.
🧾 Ingredients
Tofu
- Firm tofu: I used firm tofu packed in water found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You could also use extra firm tofu.
- Tamari: I like to use low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor.
Quinoa
- Quinoa: I like to buy quinoa in the bulk section of the grocery store. Make sure to thoroughly rinse it first.
- Brown rice vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor. You could also use apple cider vinegar.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness like you get with sushi rice.
- Tamari: I like to use low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
Sweet Dipping Sauce
- Brown rice vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor. You could also use apple cider vinegar.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness. You could also use maple syrup, agave syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
- Tamari: I like to use low-sodium gluten-free tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds a nutty flavor.
Sushi Rolls
- Nori sheets: I like to buy nori sheets with perforated edges for easier slicing.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet crunchy bite. You could use avocado or cucumber instead.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
5 Secrets to Transforming Tofu
FREE 5 part email series to help you cook tofu like a pro.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Drain and press tofu. If you don't have a tofu press, place tofu in between a clean towel with a heavy object, like a cast iron skillet on top.
Step 2: Slice tofu into squares. Add to a skillet along with tamari and sesame oil. Cook until browned and slightly crispy.
Step 3: Rinse quinoa. Place in a saucepan with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Heat tamari, brown rice vinegar, and sugar in a saucepan so that the sugar dissolves. Pour over quinoa and stir to combine.
Step 5: Mix dipping sauce, heating if necessary to dissolve sugar.
Step 6: Lay a nori sheet on a cutting board with perforated edges going vertically.
Step 7: Spread quinoa on top, leaving a ½"uncovered. Slice and layer tofu and red pepper on top.
Step 8: Tightly roll the nori sheet away from you. Wet the exposed edge so that it sticks together.
Step 9: Slice with a serrated knife. Repeat with the rest of the sushi rolls.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Tofu makes a great filling for sushi. It adds a filling protein. When it's cooked in tamari and sesame oil, as I did for this tofu sushi rolls recipe, it also adds flavor.
Other Vegan Asian-Inspired Recipes
If you tried this Tofu Sushi Rolls Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
If you are looking for an easy sushi recipe, you've come to the right place. These vegan sushi rolls couldn't be any easier!
📋 Recipe
Tofu Sushi Rolls with Quinoa
Ingredients
Tofu
- 15 oz. firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon low sodium gluten free tamari
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
Quinoa
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium gluten free tamari
Sweet Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium gluten free tamari
- 2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Sushi Rolls
- 6 nori sheets
- 12 strips of red pepper
Instructions
Tofu
- Drain and press tofu. If you don't have a tofu press, place tofu in between a clean towel with a heavy object, like a cast iron skillet on top.
- Slice tofu on its side into thirds, then lay flat and cut into four squares. You will end up with 12 tofu squares (this makes them easy to flip.)
- Pour sesame oil into a hot pan. Add tofu and tamari. Cook both sides on medium heat until browned and slightly crispy.
Quinoa
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Bring quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Heat brown rice vinegar, sugar, and tamari in a pan until the sugar dissolves. Pour over cooked quinoa, and mix thoroughly. Let cool.
Sweet Dipping Sauce
- Mix dipping sauce ingredients until sugar dissolves. Heat in a pan if necessary (or if you get impatient waiting for sugar to dissolve).
Sushi Rolls
- Lay a nori sheet out on a cutting board with the perforated lines going vertically (if your nori has perforated lines). Spread ½ cup quinoa on nori sheet, pressing quinoa into nori and leaving about ½" of the far side uncovered.
- Slice tofu squares in half so that you have 24 rectangular strips.
- Layer 4 tofu strips and 2 long red pepper slices on quinoa. Roll tightly away from you. Wet the uncovered edge so that the roll will stick. Slice on perforated lines with a serrated knife, or to the size of your liking. Repeat with the other rolls.
- Serve with sweet dipping sauce.
💌 SAVE THIS
I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Nicole says
I would never have thought to use quinoa in sushi rolls, but after making this recipe, I don't want them any other way! Thanks for the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks!
Valentina says
These sound and look so tasty! What a fun appetizer this would be!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Valentina!
Mary says
I love vegetarian versions of sushi! I've never used quinoa in place of the rice before, but this has me curious to give it a try.
Willow Moon says
I've used parsnip rice in place of sushi rice too. I like to experiment with alternatives.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Yum!! I have never tried to make sushi before but this looks delicious! I wish I was having this for lunch right now!
Willow Moon says
I love making my own sushi because you can customize it and it is so much cheaper than buying it!
Lucy says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE the idea of using quinoa in place of rice in sushi. Way healthier, and it packs a lot of protein. The sweet dipping sauce sounds delicious too. We have a dumpling night about once a week, I bet it would be perfect!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Lucy! I need to work on a gluten free vegan version of dumplings. So far, I have rice paper wrappers in mind to use in place of the regular dumpling wrappers. We'll see how that turns out...
Renee Nicole's Kitchen says
Beautifully done. I've only rolled sushi once and it took a lot of practice (and a very sharp knife) to get my rolls to come out as nice as yours.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Renee! It took me a couple of times to get it tight enough. I find a serrated knife works the best for cutting, otherwise the rolls get squished.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
This is fantastic! I love tofu, I love quinoa, and I love sushi, but I'd never thought of combining them before! Great idea- those flavors seem like they'd be amazing.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Sarah!