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Sushi Rice: Easy Sushi Rice Recipe

Delicious sushi rice recipe that is simple to prepare
Sushi rice in a mixing bowl square thumbnail photo for recipe

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.

Sushi Rice close up shot in a mixing bowl on a bamboo cutting board.

What is Sushi Rice?

Sushi Rice on a bamboo cutting board with chopsticks and soy sauce

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.

Rinse the sushi rice in water prior to cooking

2. After the rice is rinsed, add it to a sauce pan with three cups of water.

Add sushi rice to a sauce pot with the amount of water as recommended on sushi rice package

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.

Bring sushi rice to a boil and let simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until fully cooked.

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.

Add sushi rice to a bowl or casserole dish lined with parchment paper. This prevents the rice from sticking to the bowl or dish.

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!

Mix sushi vinegar into the sushi rice using a chopping motion until the vinegar until fully absorbed into sushi rice.

Sushi Rice Recipe

Sushi rice in a mixing bowl square thumbnail photo for recipe

Easy Sushi Rice Recipe

Delicious sushi rice recipe that is simple to prepare
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Sushi Rice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories: 170kcal

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!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 37.4g | Protein: 3.3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 0.4g | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 2mg

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

The 25 Best Cooked Sushi

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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)