This sushi rice is a simple blend of rice, sugar, vinegar and salt that makes the perfect foundation for any type of sushi, or a side dish to a Japanese style meal. Making sushi at home is fun and easy to do, and your family and friends will be impressed with the end result!
The basis of sushi is sushi rice. Once you’ve mastered the rice, you can move on to create your favorite dishes such as shrimp tempura roll or a sushi bowl.
What kind of rice is sushi rice?
Sushi rice is made with short grain rice. Many grocery stores carry a variety of rice that is simply labeled as sushi rice. This is typically a Japanese short grain rice called Japonica. I have seen this type of rice in both the Asian foods section and grains section of my local grocery stores. If you don’t see the correct type of rice at your neighborhood store, try seeking out an Asian grocery store which may have more choices for rice. If you can’t find standard sushi rice, you can also try using Calrose rice, which is a short grain variety that is commonly available.
How do you make sushi rice?
Start by thoroughly rinsing your rice. This will remove excess starch and keep the rice in separate grains when it cooks, instead of clumping together. Let the rice sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to dry. Place the rice in a pot with cold water, then bring the pot to a boil. Let the rice simmer until tender, then remove it from the heat and let it stand. While the rice is cooking, heat rice vinegar with sugar and salt to make the flavoring base. Place the rice in a large bowl, then drizzle the vinegar mixture over the rice. Gently fold the liquid into the rice. After the rice has slightly cooled, you can use it to prepare your sushi.
Tips for the perfect rice
- While I typically use a standard pot to cook my rice, you can also use a rice cooker appliance if you prefer.
- It’s important to let your rice cool slightly before you start making your sushi. You can let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or use a fan to speed up the process. Do not refrigerate the rice, as it will affect the texture.
- For extra flavor, add a piece of kombu (dried kelp) to the rice while it’s cooking. This is optional, but it does make it taste more authentic.
- Sushi rice is best used when it’s freshly made. Cold rice will be harder to roll and may not stick together. Store your cooked rice in a covered bowl at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
- Be sure to use a glass or wood bowl to combine your rice with the vinegar mixture. Steer clear of metal bowls, as they may react with the vinegar and give the rice an off metallic taste.
Ways to use your rice
The obvious way to use your rice is for making sushi, but I often like to make a big batch of rice to use for other purposes.
- Fried Rice: Leftover rice is perfect for fried rice, such as chicken, shrimp or pineapple varieties.
- Sushi Bowls: Don’t feel like rolling sushi? Pile your favorite topping onto a bowl of rice such as sashimi, crab, shrimp, cucumber and avocado. Be sure to serve soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger on the side.
- Musubi: Form rice into rectangles and top with a slice of seared Spam. Wrap in a strip of nori before serving.
- Onigiri: Shape the rice into balls and stuff with assorted fillings such as fish, vegetables, teriyaki chicken or seaweed.
- Side Dish: This recipe is a great side dish for teriyaki salmon, yakitori skewers, chicken katsu or tempura.
More Asian recipes to try
Sushi Rice Video
Sushi Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- Place the rice in a colander. Rinse under cool water for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let the rice dry for 15 minutes.
- Place the rice in a medium pot with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the rice stand, covered, for 15 minutes.
- Place the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until salt and sugar are dissolved, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer the rice to a large glass or wooden bowl. Drizzle the vinegar mixture over the rice. Use a spatula or a spoon to gently fold the vinegar mixture into the rice.
- Let the rice cool for 10 minutes, then serve.
I’m impressed how easy it is to make sushi rice!
The most important step when it comes to making sushi for sure. I love how your rice looks!
I never knew it was so easy to make sushi rice! We love sushi, so now we will make it for the first time with your rice recipe!
I’ve never made this before so all these tips are perfect. Can’t wait to make this for my family!
Tasty recipe! I made vegan sushi and the family devoured it! Thanks 🙂
This is going to be perfect for sushi night with my family. We love how simple the ingredient list is too!
WOW! I like learning about sushi rice today; often, I wondered why sushi rice tastes a little different than regular boiled white rice
So glad I found this recipe! I had been hoping to try a poke bowl at home and this is just what I need! Thanks!
Thank you for all the tips this sounds so delicious and I never had anything like this cant wait to make it
Definitely the perfect base for sushi! I love how easily the rice comes together. Yum!
Love all the tips and tricks shared to make perfect sushi rice. Thanks for sharing.