Free Printable: Low Carb and Keto Food List
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initial thought low carb keto sushi without rice from a friend of mine. Her entire family is gluten free and low carb, and she’s an amazing cook that she allowed me to share with you all!
But what about regular sushi: Is sushi keto friendly, or is it worth avoiding altogether?let’s talk carbs in sushi Ketogenic sushi options to enjoy at home or when dining out. Then, try other Asian keto dishes like egg rolls in bowl, Keto Orange Chickenor Cauliflower Fried Rice!
Is sushi keto friendly?
Most traditional types of sushi are not keto, as most of them use rice (and carbs in rice Too high keto diet). Fish and seafood are high in nutritional value and a great source of omega 3, but rice is a problem. Luckily, there are still plenty of keto sushi options that don’t eat rice at all—without sacrificing flavor.
Is sushi rice keto friendly?
Sorry, sushi rice is not ketchup.It contains too many carbohydrates and is not suitable for a ketogenic diet macro.
Why you’ll love this keto sushi recipe
- Light and fresh taste, same taste as regular sushi
- Crispy Vegetables with Tender Fish
- No sticky rice or sushi mat required
- Easily customizable with your favorite basic fillers
- Satisfy your appetite in just 15 minutes
- 2 grams net carbs per serving
- Naturally gluten free

Low Carb Sushi Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for keto sushi, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options. See recipe card below for measurements.
- smoked salmon – also known as smoked salmon, this is one of the easiest keto sushi fish to find because it’s “cooked” so I can serve this to my kids. But any raw sushi grade fish will do. (Salmon avocado rolls, made with raw sushi-grade salmon, have always been one of my favorites.)
- low carb vegetables – Include red bell peppers, cucumbers and avocados.For more ideas see this Keto Vegetable List Or scroll down for the best restaurant choices.
- Kelp Snacks – These are the small, thin pieces of seaweed you can find in most grocery stores. You can also cut a whole sheet of seaweed into small pieces with kitchen shears.
- water – For sealing seaweed and putting riceless sushi together.

Variation: Want sushi sushi rice instead of rice?
try my bacon-wrapped keto sushi Easy Keto Carboholics Recipe, which uses cauliflower rice as a substitute and wraps the sushi in bacon. Amazing!
How to make keto sushi without rice
This section describes how to make low-carb sushi rolls, with step-by-step photos and details on the technique. See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- cut. Place vegetables in thin matcha slices. Cut salmon and avocado into slightly wider pieces, the same length. (20 pieces are required for each person.)
- arrange. Arrange five seaweed treats and a layer on a cutting board. Wet your fingers with water, then wet the short end of each sheet. Place the sushi filling on the opposite side. (Don’t scroll.) Repeat with remaining sheets.


- roll. Turn to the first sheet. Roll, then press edges to seal. Place seam side down on a plate. Repeat for the remaining sheets.

Storage Instructions
Riceless sushi tastes best when rolled (otherwise the seaweed will be too soft due to the moisture in the vegetables). If you don’t plan to serve many rolls, store vegetable, fish, avocado, and seaweed treats separately and assemble just before serving. Avocados can brown after prolonged storage, so squeeze fresh lemon juice on top or avoid slicing them completely until you’re ready to eat.
How many carbs are in sushi?
This keto sushi recipe has only 2 grams of net carbs per serving (4 pieces). But if it’s regular sushi, does sushi contain carbs? It depends on the variety you order, but these varieties of sushi are loaded with carbs because they contain rice:
- Nigiri sushi – Toppings on sushi rice, including sashimi
- Maki – Rice and other fillings wrapped in nori sheets
- Uramaki – Wrap the filling with nori sheets, then wrap with a layer of rice
- hand scroll – Filling and rice are hand rolled into seaweed cones
(Find the carbohydrate content of a selection of popular sushi below.)
The only types of sushi that are naturally keto-friendly are:
- sashimi – Contains regular fish fillets (i.e. 0 g carbohydratesnet and gross).
- Naruto – Use thin rolled cucumbers instead of rice. They are also low in calories and high in fiber.
How many carbs are in a sushi roll?
Carbohydrates in sushi rolls vary slightly depending on the filling.For example, a 6-slice tuna roll with rice and raw tuna contains 27.5 grams total carbohydrates and 26.2 grams net carbs [*].
How many carbs are in a serving of sushi?
A piece of sushi will be lower in carbs but still high in carbs and very keto friendly.One tuna roll contains 4.6 grams total carbohydrates and 4.4 grams net carbs [*].
How Many Carbs Are in California Roll Sushi?
California rolls are very popular, but sadly not keto. 6 slices California roll contains 33.1 grams total carbohydrates and 31.3 grams net carbs. Single piece contains 5.5 grams total carbohydrates and 5.2 grams net carbs [*].
How many carbs are in sushi rice?
Most sushi uses this rice (often flavored with rice vinegar and sugar), but you’ll want to avoid using it on keto, or if carb intake is an issue.One cup of pure sushi rice contains 36.5 grams total carbs and 34.8 grams net carbs [*].
The following table summarizes the carbohydrate content in sushi and sushi rice:
| serving size | total carbohydrates | net carbs |
|---|---|---|
| sushi rolls, 6 | 27.5 grams | 26.2 grams |
| sushi roll, 1 | 33.4.61 grams | 4.4 grams |
| California roll, 6 pieces | 33.1 grams | 31.3 grams |
| California roll, 1 piece | 5.5 grams | 5.2 grams |
| sushi rice, 1 cup | 36.5 grams | 34.8 grams |

How to order sushi on Keto
Homemade keto sushi rolls are great, but what if you’re eating out? Given the high carbs in rice, it seems hard to find low-carb sushi options in restaurants. If you’re wondering how to eat ketchup at a sushi bar, keep these tips in mind:
- avoid all rice – This includes brown rice and white rice. Even a few ounces of white rice can hit your macros! You can sometimes order plain sushi rolls and ask the restaurant to omit the rice. Some places also offer rice-free rolls, such as the Naruto roll, which is a cucumber roll. If the rice is omitted, other rolls, such as the Philly Roll, are naturally keto.
- Foods to Avoid Tempura Crumbs – These will be fried and contain added carbs. You might find tempura in sushi rolls (like shrimp tempura rolls), used to fry vegetables, or even sprinkled in thin slices as a garnish for sushi.
- Watch out for soy – If you are sensitive to soy or trying to avoid soy on a keto or low carb diet, keep in mind that sushi restaurants offer many soy products even though it is naturally low in carbs (edamame, miso soup, tofu, i am willow).
- Check ingredients and carbs ahead of time – I do this for ketogenic fast food, also! If you know what to order, check the ingredients and macros before going to the restaurant.
- Be careful with adding sugar or starch – Certain menu items may appear healthy (such as seaweed salad, imitation crab, corn, mustard or pickled ginger) but may contain added sugar or starch. Look for simple fresh fish and vegetables to avoid these added carbs.

Best low-carb sushi options for restaurants
If you’re wondering what to order at a keto sushi restaurant (or you’re making it at home), here are the best keto sushi rolls and other popular sushi restaurant dishes.
protein
- All unbreaded seafood and shellfish except imitation crab: salmon, shrimp, eel, tuna, etc.
- beef or chicken, roasted only
- cream cheese
- Edamame (avoid if sensitive to soy)
toppings and garnishes
- fish eggs
- seaweed
- sesame seeds
vegetable
- avocado
- bean sprouts
- Bell peppers
- cucumber
- onion
- lettuce
- mushroom
- radish
Sauces and Condiments
- pure mayonnaise
- i am willow
When I order at a sushi restaurant, I look for Naruto first because I can usually order without asking for any modifications. If not, order sashimi or nigiri without rice and vegetables on the side. Another safer option at sushi restaurants is to stir fry with garlic, oil, salt and pepper. Sauces often contain sugar, flour, cornstarch, or some combination of these.

More Keto Sushi Recipes
If you enjoy cutting down on sushi carbs with this rice-free version, you’ll love these keto sushi-inspired recipes.
Readers’ Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers who made this also checked out these recipes:
keto sushi rolls without rice
The best low carb keto sushi recipe in just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes! Just use this easy method to make sushi without rice.
Prepare: 15 minute
All: 15 minute
Serving Size: 5 (Adjust the scale recipe)
Recipe Videos
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raw material
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instruct
Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.
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Cut the red peppers and cucumbers into very narrow matchstick pieces of even length—about 1/4 inch (about 1/2 cm) wide, the same length as the narrow sides of the seaweed snack chips. Cut salmon and avocado into equal length but wider pieces. Each person needs 20 pieces.
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Arrange a row of 5 seaweed treats in a single layer on a cutting board. Pour some cold water into a nearby bowl. Wet your fingers with water and wet the short sides of each seaweed piece, and place one each of salmon, red pepper, cucumber, and avocado on opposite edges of the first seaweed snack.
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Repeat step 2 for the entire row. When the entire row is complete, roll up the first seaweed snack and press the edges to seal. (The water should have softened the edges by this point, making them easy to seal. When you finish adding to the last piece, the wet edges of the first piece will soften naturally.) Lay the seam-side down on the plate.
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Repeat steps 2-3 until all seaweed snack pieces are used up.
recipe notes
Serving Size: 4 pieces
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.
Calories
80
fat
5 grams
protein
6 grams
total carbohydrates
4 grams
net carbs
2 grams
fiber
2 grams
sugar
1 g
Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.
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