Culinary Tutorial: Easy Vegan Onigiri Recipe

Learn how to prepare flavorful and nutritious Japanese rice balls with a creative vegan twist

Onigiri, also known as Japanese rice balls, are a fun and easy-to-make snack that can be customized with endless fillings. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a vegan version of onigiri using a simple and delicious homemade tofu mayo and a vibrant chickpea salad filling. Whether you're new to Japanese cuisine or a plant-based food lover, this recipe will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen!

Step 1: Make the Vegan Tofu Mayo

Before assembling our onigiri, we’ll prepare a creamy, umami-rich tofu mayo that will add a deliciously smooth texture to our filling. The best part? It only requires a few simple ingredients:

Ingredients for Vegan Tofu Mayo:

• Soft tofu
(extra silky and jiggly for the best texture)

Miso paste (adds a deep umami flavor)

Dijon mustard (for a hint of tang and natural emulsification)

Nutritional yeast (a great source of vegan B12 with a cheesy taste)

Fresh lemon juice (to add brightness)

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or use a stick blender in a cup.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy.

3. That’s it! Your vegan mayo is ready to use.

Step 2: Prepare the Chickpea Salad Filling

For a delicious plant-based alternative to tuna salad, we’ll make a protein-packed chickpea salad that pairs perfectly with rice.

Ingredients for Chickpea Salad Filling:

• 1 can of chickpeas, mashed with a fork or potato masher

  Finely chopped red onions, celery, and carrots

  A generous spoonful of our homemade tofu mayo

Instructions:

1. Mash the chickpeas until they reach a chunky, flaky consistency.

2. Mix in the chopped vegetables and tofu mayo.

3. Stir well to combine. The result? A colorful, creamy, and flavorful filling that is also highly nutritious!

Step 3: Shape the Onigiri

Now that our filling is ready, it's time to assemble the onigiri. If you're a beginner, you can use an onigiri mold for a perfectly shaped triangle.

Instructions:

1. Lightly grease the inside of the mold with a small amount of oil.

2. Wet your hands to prevent sticking.

3. Add a layer of sushi rice to the bottom of the mold, pressing it down and slightly up the sides.

4. Spoon in your chickpea salad filling, adding as much or as little as you like.

5. Cover the filling with more rice and press down firmly to seal the onigiri.

Step 4: Wrap with Nori

To complete the traditional look and taste of onigiri, we’ll wrap our rice ball in a strip of nori seaweed.

Instructions:

1. Cut a strip of nori, measuring it to fit the bottom of your onigiri.

2. Wrap it around the rice ball to create a "belt."

3. Your classic vegan onigiri is now complete and ready to enjoy!

If you loved this simple yet delicious onigiri recipe, there’s more to explore! Join my Creative Vegan Cooking course on Domestika, where I share unique plant-based dishes that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

🍙 Start your vegan cooking journey today!