How to Make Sushi Rice

Learning to make sushi rice is essential for anyone who wants to prepare authentic and delicious sushi at home. Sushi rice, is the foundation of every sushi dish, and its quality can make or break the entire meal. The right balance of sticky texture, and slight sweetness comes from proper seasoning with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mastering the technique ensures your sushi holds together well and tastes balanced, whether you’re making nigiri, rolls, or poke bowls. Plus, knowing how to make sushi rice allows for more creativity and control over the ingredients, leading to healthier and more personalized homemade sushi.

Sushi Rice Ingredients

• 1 cup Sushi rice
• 1¼ cup Water

Sushi Rice Seasoning

• 3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon White sugar
• ½ teaspoon Salt

How to Make the Best Sushi Rice

Rice Preparation

1. Start by rinsing the rice. In a bowl, add the rice and water. Mix the rice and the water with your hands. Discard the water.
2. Repeat this process around 3-4 times or until the water is more translucid.
3. Drain the rice well. You can use a strainer and leave the rice there for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the drained rice in a pot with the water. Let it rest for 20 minutes before cooking.
5. Cooking the Rice
6. Turn on to medium-high heat and wait until the water is boiling.
7. Once it is boiling, reduce the heat to low and partially close the pot. (Do NOT stir the rice)
8. Let the rice cook for about 12 minutes or until the water is completely absorbed/evaporated. After the time, you can carefully use a fork to separate the rice and have a look at the bottom of the pan. If there is still water, let it cook (with the lid partially on) for another couple of minutes).
9. Turn off the heat, remove from the store and close the lid. Let the rice rest for 10 minutes. (Do not skip this step, it is very important).

How to season the Sushi Rice

1. Mix all ingredients for the seasoning in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, or until all sugar is dissolved.
2. Spread the rice into a large bowl.
3. Pour the sushi seasoning on top of the rice and gently mix it (you don’t want the grains to break).
4. While gently mixing the rice, vigorously fan the rice. You can use a wood fan, if you don’t have one, then maybe a carton for example. This step is important because it helps to remove excess moisture from the rice.
5. The sushi rice is now ready to be used to make your favorite poke bowl or sushi.

Recipe Tips

1. Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
2. If you can’t find sushi rice, use short-grain rice.
3. For fluffy rice, use a 1:1.25 ratio of rice to water (1 cup of rice to 1¼ cups of water), when cooking in a pot on the stove, or 1:1 ratio when cooking in a rice cooker.
4. Letting the rice sit covered for 10 minutes to absorb steam, making it fluffier.
5. Season the rice while still warm for even absorption.
6. Mix the rice in a wooden or plastic bowl to avoid altering the flavor.
7. Fan the rice while mixing to cool it quickly, giving it the right texture and sheen for sushi.