Making sushi at home is a fun and easy way to enjoy one of your favorite dishes. And while you might think you need a lot of expensive ingredients, that’s actually not the case. In fact, all you really need is some raw fish and some rice. But how much raw fish do you need to make sushi? Keep reading to find out.
So, how much raw fish is needed to make sushi? 5 to 7 ounces of raw fish per person is typically what’s needed to make sushi. However, there are many different types of sushi, so it really depends on the recipe. For example, nigiri sushi typically uses a thinner piece of fish than rolls do. And some types of sushi, like sashimi, use raw fish that is sliced into very thin pieces.
So it really varies. But in general, 5 to 7 ounces is a good estimate.
Before you head to the store to buy some fish for your feast, you must consider a few factors. How many people do you plan to serve? What kind of sushi are you preparing, and what fish do you want to use?
I have tackled all these questions in my post, so once you’re done reading, you won’t have any dilemmas about the recommended amount of fish for sushi.
How Much Raw Fish for Sushi Should You Get?
Fish is the key ingredient that makes sushi as tasty as we’re used to – carefully dosing the amount you will put in a roll is of utmost importance. If you don’t get this right, you will end up with entirely different flavors, as the delicate balance that exists in the best sushi will be disturbed.
So, how much raw fish should you eat in sushi?
Although we can all probably eat sushi until we drop, going overboard with this food is not exactly a good idea. Usually, it’s best to stick to one or two rolls per meal – each roll has 6 or 8 pieces, so you do the math. For your basic dinner, about 4 ounces of raw fish per person will be more than enough.
However, if you want to make a top-notch meal and go a little overboard, you should probably use 5 to 7 ounces per person.
What Is the Normal Amount of Sushi for a Healthy Adult?
If we take a look at dietary recommendations, it’s often said that a healthy adult shouldn’t eat more than three rolls per week. It’s important to keep in mind that, even though it’s healthy, sushi does contain a lot of sodium and calories – take a look at the nutritional facts about a few of the most popular sushi rolls – per 100 g.
| Roll | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat | Sodium |
| California roll | 93 kcal | 18 g | 3 g | 0.7 g | 0.4 g |
| Avocado roll | 140 kcal | 25 g | 2 g | 3.7 g | 0.5 g |
| Philadelphia | 170 kcal | 21 g | 7 g | 6.5 g | 0.3 g |
| Dragon roll | 175 kcal | 21 g | 5 g | 8 g | 0.4 g |
The Amount of Raw Fish to Buy Depending on the Type of Sushi
Now you know how much sushi is okay to eat and how much fish you should buy – but how to divide the fish into maki rolls, sashimi, and nigiri?
I took these as examples because they are the most common sushi types out there, and you will most likely be making some, if not all, of these. Here are the measurements to keep in mind.
How Many Ounces Do You Need for Making Sashimi?
One of the most famous types of sushi, sashimi, is a thinly sliced piece of fish (or some other meat) that is traditionally eaten without anything else besides soy sauce.
The amount of fish you will require for this dish depends on the number of slices you want to have – each piece should be no more than 2 ounces, and you can make it 1 ounce or less if you prefer thinner slices.
How Much Raw Fish Do You Need for Nigiri?
Nigiri is basically a piece of oval-shaped rice with a slice of raw fish on top. A single piece usually contains up to 20 g of raw fish (about 0.7 ounces), so be sure to multiply that with the number of nigiri you plan on serving.
Also, it’s important to note that, in order to make nigiri, you often have to cut the fish so it can fit the shape of the rice perfectly – the remaining pieces can be used for maki rolls.
What Do You Need for Maki Rolls?
Considering how many different maki roll recipes are there, you can’t precisely calculate the amount of fish for this type of sushi. For example, California rolls don’t even contain fish – they can be a great addition to your sushi meal if you don’t want to go overboard with the amount of raw fish.
Other maki rolls can contain anywhere from 4 to 8 ounces of fish – it all depends on the recipe. What they all have in common is rice – for one roll, one-half to three-quarters of a cup of rice is usually used.
What Fish Should You Use to Make Sushi
When it comes to raw fish, there can definitely be too much of a good thing. Also, remember you should only buy the freshest fish possible for sushi. Here are the most commonly used types of fish that I also consider the most delicious:
- Salmon,
- Hamachi (yellowtail, also known as Japanese amberjack),
- Maguro (bluefin tuna),
- Mackerel,
- Unagi (freshwater eel).
Healthy and Delicious – Sushi Is Always a Great Food Choice
There’s no denying that sushi is one of the best foods in existence – it’s so popular for a reason. Sure, it might not be the easiest thing to make, but with some time and persistence, I’m sure you can master this craft and become a real pro.
The post you’ve just read will undoubtedly help you get there. In no time, you will be able to prepare this delicious Japanese meal and enjoy it on various occasions – sushi is the perfect choice for every situation.