California Hand Rolls (Crab & Avocado Temaki)
These easy California hand rolls are packed with crab, avocado, and crisp veggies wrapped in nori for a fresh and gluten-free sushi fix.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 toasted nori sheets
- 1 pound cooked lump crab meat
- 2 scallions or green onions thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons paleo mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large Hass avocado pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced
- 2 small Japanese or Persian cucumbers cut into matchsticks
- Handful of radish sprouts or micro greens
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- If the nori sheets are already toasted and you are pressed for time, you can skip the toasting part, but even toasted nori can be perked up with a little heat. Toast each nori sheet over a gas burner on low, by slowly fanning it back and forth until the color turns bright green.No gas stovetop? You can also toast the nori in the oven. Turn on the broiler with the rack about 6 inches from the heating element. Place two pieces of nori on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for only 10 seconds or until they turn green and smell toasty.
- Cut each piece of nori in half width-wise so you have 16 pieces of toasted nori.
- In a large bowl, combine the crab meat, scallions, mayonnaise, red pepper flakes (if using), and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.
- To assemble each roll, hold a piece of nori shiny-side down, and scoop 2 tablespoons of the crab mixture onto the left side of the rectangle. The filling should be at a diagonal, running from the top left corner to the bottom center of the nori.
- Top the crab with a slice of avocado, some cucumber, and sprouts. Fold the bottom left corner of the nori over the filling before wrapping the long part of the nori around the crab and vegetables to form a cone.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and erve immediately—don’t let the nori get soft!
Video
Notes
In this California hand roll recipe, it’s important to source the highest quality crab available. Obviously, the best choice is to use fresh cooked crab meat that you make yourself or buy from a trusted fishmonger. The second best choice is the canned crab jumbo lump meat that is found in the refrigerated section in the seafood department. Don’t use shelf-stable canned crab meat because the texture is dry and mealy and the flavor is off.
Also, toasting the nori is key to non-chewy hand rolls!
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g