All great sushi starts with the rice. No matter how good the other ingredients are in your favorite roll, if the texture of your rice is grainy or dry, the whole roll will suffer. Luckily, great sushi rice is easy to make. In this article we will walk you through how to make delicious and sticky sushi rice, step-by-step.
Table of Contents
What is Sushi Rice?
Available in most grocery stores, sushi rice is a short-grain rice that sticks together when cooked. This sticky texture is important when preparing sushi as good rice holds everything together. Without good and sticky rice, your sushi roll or nigiri will crumble.
After sushi rice is cooked, it is mixed with sushi vinegar, which is rice vinegar mixed with sugar and salt. Sushi vinegar is also widely available in grocery stores, though it may be labeled as seasoned rice vinegar. This vinegar provides a subtle vinegar flavor to the rice and to the sushi.
How to Make Sushi Rice?
Luckily, making sushi rice that has great texture, taste and stickiness is really easy. Below are step by step instructions on how to make sushi rice perfect for your next sushi recipe:
1. Rinse two cups of dry sushi rice by placing it in a colander and running water through it until the water is clear.
2. After the rice is rinsed, add it to a sauce pan with three cups of water.
3. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the rice simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.
4. Remove the rice and place into a bowl or dish and let cool. I would line the dish with parchment paper prior to adding the rice to avoid sticking.
5. Once the rice has cooled, mix 1/4 cup of sushi vinegar into your rice. Stir until it has absorbed into the rice. Once cooled and fully absorbed, your rice is ready to roll!
Sushi Rice Recipe
Easy Sushi Rice Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pot for cooking sushi rice
- 1 Large Bowl to cool rice after it's done cooking
- Parchment paper to line bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sushi Rice dried, will cook up to 5-6 cups
- ½ cup Sushi Vinegar
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups of sushi rice by placing it in a colander and running water through it until the water is clear.
- After the rice is rinsed, add it to a sauce pan with 2 1/2 cups of water.
- Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let the rice simmer until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft. This usually takes 20-30 minutes.
- Remove the rice from the heat and scoop into a bowl or dish to let cool. I would line the dish with parchment paper prior to adding the rice to avoid sticking.
- Mix 1/4 cup of sushi vinegar into your rice. Stir until it has absorbed into the rice. Once cooled and fully absorbed, your rice is ready to roll!
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Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sushi rice healthy?
While sushi rice is healthier than some types of rice, it is still not very healthy as it is high in sugar and overall calories. However, mixed with healthy proteins and vegetables, your overall sushi may be healthy despite the rice.
Can you substitute sushi rice with another type of rice?
You can substitute sushi rice with a different rice, but I wouldn’t. Sushi rice has a unique texture that not only holds the sushi together but also adds a mild vinegar seasoning to the sushi. If you are in an absolute bind and can’t come up with sushi rice, you can use something else but the texture and taste of your sushi may be impacted. The best substitute for sushi rice is short grained white rice.
Final Thoughts on Sushi Rice
Great sushi rice makes great sushi. Mediocre or bad sushi rice makes mediocre or bad sushi. This simple component is critical to the overall success of your sushi meal. Luckily, it’s simple to make. With a little practice you’ll be a pro. We hope this recipe gives you the confidence and knowledge to master this key component of any sushi dish.
Check out the following articles for some great sushi recipes:
How to Prepare Boston Roll Sushi
Ebi Sushi: What it is and How to Make it
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