Recipe

Nori Powder

by Sasha Marx

As far as seaweed goes in this country, nori is the most widely recognizable and most readily available form. Nori sheets are made from an edible alga that is shredded, pressed into thin sheets, and then dried. You probably know nori mostly from its use in sushi rolls, but it’s actually a very versatile ingredient. One of the staple pantry items in restaurants that I worked in was nori powder, which is just toasted nori sheets ground to a fine powder in a spice grinder or blender. The powder stores well for weeks and can be used in a number of ways to bring subtle sea-flavored umami to both savory and sweet dishes. It can be added to butter or pasta dough, and it’s great sprinkled over popcorn, potato chips, or tapioca chips. Heck, I’ve even used it in sugar cookies. So grab a package of nori sheets, get your grind on, and open up some new possibilities in your kitchen. It’s a great way to tap into the versatility of seaweed and add a supersimple “chef-y” item to your pantry. For the full scoop on all things seaweed, check out our feature story, “In the Weeds”.

Photography by Steve Klise
Food Styling by Marie Piraino

Yield
Makes about ½ cup (28 grams)
Ingredients
30 g nori sheets (10 sheets)
10  nori sheets
Essential Equipment
Instructions
    • 30 g nori sheets (10 sheets)
    To toast nori, grab 1 sheet at a time with tongs and hold about 2 inches above low flame on gas burner. Flip nori sheet every 3 to 5 seconds until nori is aromatic and shrinks slightly, about 20 seconds. Alternatively, toast nori in oven—spread nori evenly on 2 rimmed baking sheets and bake in 275-degree F/135-degree C oven until nori is aromatic and shrinks slightly, 20 to 25 minutes, flipping nori halfway through toasting. Tear nori sheets into rough 1½-inch pieces.
  1. If using spice grinder, loosely pack grinding chamber three-quarters full with nori pieces and grind until nori turns to fine powder, about 30 seconds. Without emptying spice grinder, add more nori pieces until grinding chamber is three-quarters full; grind until nori turns to fine powder, about 30 seconds. Transfer nori powder to airtight container. Repeat grinding process twice with remaining nori pieces.

    If using blender, add half of nori pieces to blender jar, cover tightly with lid, and process on high speed until nori turns to fine powder, about 45 seconds. Add remaining nori pieces and continue to process on high speed until nori turns to fine powder, about 45 seconds longer. Nori powder can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months. 
Instructions
    • 10 nori sheets
    To toast nori, grab 1 sheet at a time with tongs and hold about 2 inches above low flame on gas burner. Flip nori sheet every 3 to 5 seconds until nori is aromatic and shrinks slightly, about 20 seconds. Alternatively, toast nori in oven—spread nori evenly on 2 rimmed baking sheets and bake in 275-degree F/135-degree C oven until nori is aromatic and shrinks slightly, 20 to 25 minutes, flipping nori halfway through toasting. Tear nori sheets into rough 1½-inch pieces.
  1. If using spice grinder, loosely pack grinding chamber three-quarters full with nori pieces and grind until nori turns to fine powder, about 30 seconds. Without emptying spice grinder, add more nori pieces until grinding chamber is three-quarters full; grind until nori turns to fine powder, about 30 seconds. Transfer nori powder to airtight container. Repeat grinding process twice with remaining nori pieces.

    If using blender, add half of nori pieces to blender jar, cover tightly with lid, and process on high speed until nori turns to fine powder, about 45 seconds. Add remaining nori pieces and continue to process on high speed until nori turns to fine powder, about 45 seconds longer. Nori powder can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 months. 
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