In the event you’re a sushi lover, you want this Sushi Rice information in your life! It really works for every type of sushi, and also you’ll be shocked how straightforward it’s to make! In contrast to plain steamed rice, sushi rice is seasoned, sticky, and completely balanced so it may maintain form and improve the flavour of sushi substances.

Whereas we’ve got proven fast methods to make sushi rice in our viral Sushi Burrito, at this time we’re sharing an in depth information. Every thing you’ll want to know to excellent it at house, all of the troubleshooting and so many errors to keep away from that we went by means of till we realized.
Whereas we don’t make sushi on a regular basis at house, we nonetheless like to make a very good sushi rice for a couple of dishes except for our all time favourite Sushi Burrito. These embrace Sushi Bake, Poke Bowl, Sushi Bowl and Crab Sushi.
What Is Sushi Rice?
Sushi rice, additionally known as sushi meshi or sumeshi in Japanese is brief grain or medium grain rice that has been cooked, seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt, and cooled. This seasoning provides it the signature candy tangy taste and sticky texture that makes it ideally suited for forming sushi rolls, nigiri, rice bowls, and extra.
It’s totally different from plain steamed rice due to this seasoning step, which additionally helps the rice grains cling collectively with out turning into mushy. It’s principally brief grain rice with a sticky however not mushy texture, a barely candy style with balanced acidity and shiny end.

Why Excellent Sushi Rice Issues
Recent substances like fish and greens are essential, but when the rice is just too mushy, too dry, or unseasoned, the entire sushi expertise falls aside. You want a terrific sushi rice that kinds and holds form in rolls and nigiri with a balanced sweetness and acidity. It needs to be shiny with grains that aren’t sticky in a clumpy means.
Sushi rice ought to style nice at room temperature, not chilly or sizzling like standard rice dishes.
Why You’ll Love Sushi Rice
- This recipe affords a terrific steadiness of taste, optimum texture with a idiot proof technique.
- You should utilize this sushi rice in lots of different dishes like Poke Bowl, Sushi Bowl, Sushi Bake and extra!
- It’s surprisingly easy to make at house!
- You want a couple of easy substances solely to make this recipe.
- It retains properly for brief home windows, sushi rice might be made forward with correct dealing with.
Components You Want

- Quick grain rice: Japanese or Calrose rice (extra on that under) is a should, the proper sort of rice offers construction.
- Water: To cook dinner the rice
- Unseasoned Rice vinegar: offers brightness and preservation.
- Sugar: balances acidity.
- Salt: enhances general taste.
- Optionally available: Kombu (for refined umami)
- Furikake: Additionally non-compulsory to complete off the flavour.
What Sort of Rice is Used for Sushi?

- Japanese Quick Grain Rice (Greatest Selection): It has a excessive starch content material (amylopectin) which creates the sticky texture wanted for shaping.
- Calrose Rice (Frequent U.S. Substitute): It has a medium grain, broadly used and acceptable for house cooks.
- Lengthy Grain Rice: Not a good selection as a result of it’s too dry and separates when cooked.
- Jasmine Rice: Additionally not a good selection. Whereas it’s fragrant, it has a incorrect texture and might’t be used right here.
Easy methods to Make Sushi Rice
Rinse the Rice

Rinse brief grain rice underneath cool water till the water runs clear. You are able to do this in a sieve and observe the water. This removes extra floor starch so the grains don’t clump excessively.
Soak the Rice

Soak the rinsed rice in a big bowl briefly. This helps the grains soak up water evenly and cook dinner extra constantly.
Cook dinner the Rice

Use a rice cooker or a pot with a decent lid and add the rice with sufficient cups of chilly water. cook dinner till the rice is tender and water absolutely absorbed on the range. You’ll be able to add a bit of kombu right here for umamu. Begin with excessive warmth till the water boils after which drop the warmth to low till the cooking water is absorbed.
Stovetop or rice cooker each work. Keep away from lifting lid mid means by means of cooking.
Relaxation Coated

Let steam end the cooking course of.
Put together Seasoning

Heat vinegar combination gently to dissolve sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Don’t boil.

Mix rice vinegar with sugar and salt whereas the rice cooks. Warmth gently till the sugar dissolves.
Season the Rice

When the rice is cooked, it ought to look be gentle and grains properly cooked.

Switch sizzling rice to a big shallow mixing bowl and gently fold within the seasoned vinegar combination. In case you have a rice paddle use it, in any other case use a spatula. Don’t smash the grains, reasonably use a slicing/folding movement to maintain them separate whereas evenly coating them.
Cool to Room Temperature

Historically, sushi rice is fanned whereas mixing to chill sooner and develop shine. It is a approach the place the fan is turned on gently whereas folding. Don’t refrigerate instantly.
Professional Suggestions for Sushi Rice
- Rinse the rice till the water runs clear to forestall gummy, pasty rice with outsized clumps.
- Use brief grain rice for optimum texture.
- Don’t overcook the rice.
- Season whereas nonetheless heat so the flavors penetrate properly.
- When including the seasoning to the rice, be certain to fold it in not mash it in. The vinegar combination ought to be distributed gently so grains keep intact and shiny.
- Cool the rice to room temperature earlier than utilizing. If the rice is just too sizzling, it’ll break the rolls, whereas if it’s too chilly, it received;t adhere correctly.
- Hold lined with damp towel till prepared to make use of.
How Lengthy Does Sushi Rice Take?
Sushi rice takes about 45–60 minutes from begin to end.
It’s damaged down as follows.
- Rinse and soak: 10–quarter-hour
- Cook dinner: 20 minutes
- Relaxation: 8-10 minutes
- Season and funky: 10 minutes
- Whole time: about 45–60 minutes

Storage & Make Forward Information
Whilst you can sushi rice recipe forward of time, it’s all the time greatest eaten the identical day. Retailer leftovers at room temperature lined for a number of hours. In the event you’re storing the rice within the fridge, it’ll harden as a consequence of starch retrogradation. In that case you’ll want to reheat gently with damp towel in microwave.
Serving Concepts

Why Is My Sushi Rice Mushy?
An excessive amount of water is added otherwise you overcooked the rice.
Why Is It Too Dry?
Not sufficient water is added to cook dinner the rice, or in any other case you will have used inadequate vinegar combination.
Why Is It Not Sticky?
You most likely used the incorrect rice selection comparable to long-grain rice. All the time use short-grain rices.
Why Does It Style Bland?
In the event you underneath season or if the vinegar combination is just not evenly distributed, the rice will style bland.
Can You Freeze Sushi Rice?
It’s not advisable as a result of the feel degrades considerably.
What sort of rice is greatest for sushi rice?
Quick grain Japanese rice (Japonica) or Calrose is greatest as a result of it has increased amylopectin, making it sticky however not mushy when cooked. Medium grain manufacturers may additionally work properly, nevertheless lengthy grains like jasmine or basmati don’t have the fitting stickiness.
Can I take advantage of common rice for sushi?
Utilizing common lengthy grain rice is just not advisable. It doesn’t develop into sticky sufficient to carry sushi shapes, so it received’t will let you have a very good expertise.
Why do you rinse sushi rice?
Rinsing removes extra starch on the floor, prevents clumping and ensures that every grain cooks evenly and separates correctly.
Do you soak sushi rice earlier than cooking?
Sure, a brief soak helps the rice soak up water evenly and produces a constant, tender grain.You want to soak it for 6-10 minutes at most.
How do you season sushi rice?
As soon as cooked, sushi rice is seasoned with a combination of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. You’ll be able to typically discover the seasoning prepared on the grocery shops and it’s known as “sushi vinegar”. This creates the candy tangy taste you crave.
Why is sushi rice sticky?
The stickiness comes from its excessive amylopectin starch content material, which makes the grains cling to one another, and that’s important for forming sushi.
What’s the perfect texture of sushi rice?
Excellent sushi rice ought to be tender, barely chewy, and sticky sufficient to carry collectively, with every grain distinct.
Is sushi rice wholesome?
Sushi rice is an efficient supply of carbohydrates and B nutritional vitamins, particularly when made with brown rice. White sushi rice is low in fats however might be excessive in carbs and sodium as a consequence of seasoning.
Are you able to make sushi rice with out vinegar?
In the event you skip seasoning the rice with vinegar, it received’t style like conventional sushi rice, it is going to be extra of a white rice. The vinegar is crucial for the genuine taste and texture you realize.
Is sushi rice gluten‑free?
Plain sushi rice is of course gluten‑free. Nevertheless, when mixed with sauces like soy sauce or teriyaki is probably not. Examine labels in case you want a gluten‑free meal.
Can I make sushi rice in a rice cooker?
Sure. Use normal white rice setting.

Sushi Rice for Events & Appetizers
A few of the greatest methods to make use of sushi rice for events and appetizers embrace:
- Sushi cupcake molds or Sushi Cake.
- Sushi bake trays, much like our Sushi Bake
- Deconstructed sushi shooters
- Mini sushi squares, much like out Crab Sushi or Sushi Stacks
- Nori snack wraps
- California roll bites, or skewered.

Sushi Rice
In the event you’re a sushi lover, you want this Sushi Rice information in your life! It really works for every type of sushi, and you will be shocked how straightforward it’s to make! In contrast to plain steamed rice, sushi rice is seasoned, sticky, and completely balanced so it may maintain form and improve the flavour of sushi substances.
Components
-
2
cup
brief grain rice
Japanese rice or any brief grain rice -
3
cups
water -
1
kombu sheet
non-compulsory
Sushi Rice Seasoning
-
4
tabelspoons
rice vinegar -
2
Tablespoons
Sugar -
1
teaspoon
salt
Directions
-
Rinse brief grain rice underneath cool water till the water runs clear. You are able to do this in a sieve and observe the water. This removes extra floor starch so the grains don’t clump excessively.
-
Soak the rinsed rice in a big bowl briefly. This helps the grains soak up water evenly and cook dinner extra constantly.
-
Use a rice cooker or a pot with a decent lid and add the rice with sufficient cups of chilly water. cook dinner till the rice is tender and water absolutely absorbed on the range. You’ll be able to add a bit of kombu right here for umamu. Begin with excessive warmth till the water boils after which drop the warmth to low till the cooking water is absorbed.
-
Stovetop or rice cooker each work. Keep away from lifting lid mid means by means of cooking.
-
Relaxation Coated
-
Let steam end the cooking course of.
-
Put together Seasoning
-
Heat vinegar combination gently to dissolve sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Don’t boil.
-
Mix rice vinegar with sugar and salt whereas the rice cooks. Warmth gently till the sugar dissolves.
-
When the rice is cooked, it ought to look be gentle and grains properly cooked.
-
Switch sizzling rice to a big shallow mixing bowl and gently fold within the seasoned vinegar combination. In case you have a rice paddle use it, in any other case use a spatula. Don’t smash the grains, reasonably use a slicing/folding movement to maintain them separate whereas evenly coating them.
-
Historically, sushi rice is fanned whereas mixing to chill sooner and develop shine. It is a approach the place the fan is turned on gently whereas folding. Don’t refrigerate instantly.
Recipe Notes
Professional Suggestions for Sushi Rice
- Rinse the rice till the water runs clear to forestall gummy, pasty rice with outsized clumps.
- Use brief grain rice for optimum texture.
- Don’t overcook the rice.
- Season whereas nonetheless heat so the flavors penetrate properly.
- When including the seasoning to the rice, be certain to fold it in not mash it in. The vinegar combination ought to be distributed gently so grains keep intact and shiny.
- Cool the rice to room temperature earlier than utilizing. If the rice is just too sizzling, it’ll break the rolls, whereas if it is too chilly, it received;t adhere correctly.
- Hold lined with damp towel till prepared to make use of.
How Lengthy Does Sushi Rice Take?
Sushi rice takes about 45–60 minutes from begin to end.
It is damaged down as follows.
- Rinse and soak: 10–quarter-hour
- Cook dinner: 20 minutes
- Relaxation: 8-10 minutes
- Season and funky: 10 minutes
- Whole time: about 45–60 minutes
Storage & Make Forward Information
Whilst you can sushi rice recipe forward of time, it is all the time greatest eaten the identical day. Retailer leftovers at room temperature lined for a number of hours. In the event you’re storing the rice within the fridge, it’ll harden as a consequence of starch retrogradation. In that case you’ll want to reheat gently with damp towel in microwave.
Serving Concepts
Why Is My Sushi Rice Mushy?
An excessive amount of water is added otherwise you overcooked the rice.
Why Is It Too Dry?
Not sufficient water is added to cook dinner the rice, or in any other case you will have used inadequate vinegar combination.
Why Is It Not Sticky?
You most likely used the incorrect rice selection comparable to long-grain rice. All the time use short-grain rices.
Why Does It Style Bland?
In the event you underneath season or if the vinegar combination is just not evenly distributed, the rice will style bland.
Can You Freeze Sushi Rice?
It isn’t advisable as a result of the feel degrades considerably.
What sort of rice is greatest for sushi rice?
Quick grain Japanese rice (Japonica) or Calrose is greatest as a result of it has increased amylopectin, making it sticky however not mushy when cooked. Medium grain manufacturers may additionally work properly, nevertheless lengthy grains like jasmine or basmati don’t have the fitting stickiness.
Can I take advantage of common rice for sushi?
Utilizing common lengthy grain rice is just not advisable. It doesn’t develop into sticky sufficient to carry sushi shapes, so it will not will let you have a very good expertise.
Why do you rinse sushi rice?
Rinsing removes extra starch on the floor, prevents clumping and ensures that every grain cooks evenly and separates correctly.
Do you soak sushi rice earlier than cooking?
Sure, a brief soak helps the rice soak up water evenly and produces a constant, tender grain.You want to soak it for 6-10 minutes at most.
How do you season sushi rice?
As soon as cooked, sushi rice is seasoned with a combination of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. You’ll be able to typically discover the seasoning prepared on the grocery shops and it is known as “sushi vinegar”. This creates the candy tangy taste you crave.
Why is sushi rice sticky?
The stickiness comes from its excessive amylopectin starch content material, which makes the grains cling to one another, and that’s important for forming sushi.
What’s the perfect texture of sushi rice?
Excellent sushi rice ought to be tender, barely chewy, and sticky sufficient to carry collectively, with every grain distinct.
Is sushi rice wholesome?
Sushi rice is an efficient supply of carbohydrates and B nutritional vitamins, particularly when made with brown rice. White sushi rice is low in fats however might be excessive in carbs and sodium as a consequence of seasoning.
Are you able to make sushi rice with out vinegar?
In the event you skip seasoning the rice with vinegar, it received’t style like conventional sushi rice, it is going to be extra of a white rice. The vinegar is crucial for the genuine taste and texture you realize.
Is sushi rice gluten‑free?
Plain sushi rice is of course gluten‑free. Nevertheless, when mixed with sauces like soy sauce or teriyaki is probably not. Examine labels in case you want a gluten‑free meal.
Can I make sushi rice in a rice cooker?
Sure. Use normal white rice settings.
Sushi Rice for Events & Appetizers
A few of the greatest methods to make use of sushi rice for events and appetizers embrace:
- Sushi cupcake molds or Sushi Cake.
- Sushi bake trays, much like our Sushi Bake
- Deconstructed sushi shooters
- Mini sushi squares, much like out Crab Sushi or Sushi Stacks
- Nori snack wraps
- California roll bites, or skewered.
Diet Information
Sushi Rice
Quantity Per Serving
Energy 191
Energy from Fats 3
% Day by day Worth*
Fats 0.3g0%
Saturated Fats 0.1g1%
Polyunsaturated Fats 0.1g
Monounsaturated Fats 0.1g
Sodium 296mg13%
Potassium 38mg1%
Carbohydrates 43g14%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 0.4IU0%
Vitamin C 0.01mg0%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 2mg11%
* % Day by day Values are based mostly on a 2000 calorie food plan.
