Quick Meat and Cheese Sushi Rolls: A Family Favorite
Looking for an easy and nourishing lunch? Something you can make ahead and bring on a picnic the next day? Grain-free? Kid-friendly? This quick meat and cheese sushi roll recipe will become your family’s new favorite go-to recipe for a dose of probiotics, sea vegetables and deliciousness.

The Discovery of Quick Meat and Cheese Sushi Rolls
My sister thought up this recipe before a long day trip to see the total solar eclipse in 2017. We needed something nutritious, easy, light and delicious. They were perfect. With my own addition of sauerkraut, they’ve been a family favorite ever since.

Even kids love these!
Seriously, I’m able to use some familiar ingredients (meat and cream cheese – use Nancy’s and it’s another probiotic boost!), add some less familiar ones, like sheets of seaweed and sauerkraut, roll it all up and they gobble it down. It’s easy for my toddler to hold whole, and it’s beautiful cut into coins for older kids and adults.

What You’ll Need For Quick Meat And Cheese Sushi Rolls
- Seaweed – You’ll need as many toasted sushi nori sheets as rolls you want to make. Toasted sheets hold together better, but if you have untoasted ones on hand, you can still carefully spread the cream cheese on them.
- Cream cheese – This can be probiotic rich or not, but why not! You’ll just need a scoop for each sheet of seaweed.
- Lunch meat – We like ham best, but sometimes I use turkey and no one complains.
- Sauerkraut – I like to make a delicious, non-spicy fermented curtido that my kids actually do eat outside of these rolls too, but it adds a really nice flavor to these! Recipe coming soon!
- Additional ingredients – I’ll bet avocado would be great in these, or even some sushi rice, if you want them to be a little more filling. Herbs, fresh veggies or fruit would be good too! Explore different varieties to your heart’s content!
How To Make Quick Meat And Cheese Sushi Rolls
- Lay out one sheet of toasted Sushi nori.
- Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese onto the sheet, and spread out fairly evenly, leaving one short edge open for closing.
- Lay lunch meat on top of cream cheese.
- Take a small handful of sauerkraut and squeeze the juices out of it so it’s not dripping wet.
- Spread the sauerkraut on the meat.
- Starting on the bottom of the sheet of seaweed, start rolling up, tightly, holding it together as you go, and pause before you get to the very top, which should be empty and clean.
- Dip your fingers in some water, or sauerkraut juice, and dab them along the open short edge, moistening the whole space all the way to the edges.
- Finish rolling and let sit for a few minutes to soften up slightly before devouring 🙂

FAQs
How Long Do Quick Meat And Cheese Sushi Rolls Last?
Honestly, in my house, they don’t last long! I have made them the night before, and they they taste great the next day – maybe even better because the flavors have had time to meld and the juices have soaked into the seaweed, making it softer.
But, if you leave them too long, the seaweed starts breaking down and they definitely aren’t as good. So, maybe do make sure you can eat them all within 1-2 days.
I have not tried freezing them. I bet that would work, if you pop them in right away, and plan on eating them as soon as they’re thawed. Maybe a good lunch box entree?

Can I use any kind of meat?
Yes. The original was made with ham, but I actually used turkey in these pictures because that’s what I had on hand.
What type of seaweed should I use?
Toasted Nori is best! It hangs together better than untoasted. If you have untoasted, but toast it over a hot burner for a minute or two (the directions should be on the package).
Can I use a different type of cheese?
The cream cheese is spreadable and adds moisture. I haven’t tried it with anything else, but you could see what happens!
Can I add other ingredients, like avocado or mustard?
Yes, I’ve tried avocado, but it’s a bit slippery for small hands to keep inside. Any other condiments you like would work well inside or as a dipping sauce.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes!


Quick Meat and Cheese Sushi Roll Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 sheets of toasted seaweed nori
- 4-6 oz probiotic or regular cream cheese
- 4-8 slices lunch meat
- 1/2 cup sauerkraut
- additional items: avocado herbs, rice, fruit, veggies (optional)
Instructions
- Lay out one sheet of toasted sushi nori.
- Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese onto the sheet, and spread out fairly evenly, leaving one short edge open for closing.
- Lay lunch meat on top of cream cheese.
- Take a small handful of sauerkraut and squeeze the juices out of it so it’s not dripping wet.
- Spread the sauerkraut on the meat.
- Starting on the bottom of the sheet of seaweed, start rolling up, tightly, holding it together as you go, and pause before you get to the very top, which should be empty and clean.
- Dip your fingers in some water, or sauerkraut juice, and dap them along the open short edge, moistening the whole space all the way to the edges.
- Finish rolling and let sit for a few minutes to soften up slightly before devouring 🙂
Notes
Nutrition
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My Favorite Kiwi brand stainless steel knife that cuts through these like butter
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Quick, delicious, and nutritious!
I know you’ll love these as much as we do. If you come up with any other particularly excellent fillings or sauces, let me know!