Want to use your Instant Pot to make sushi rice? Here’s how to do it!
Instant Pot Sushi Rice
I’m obsessed with sushi, so obsessed that I practically eat it once a week. H and I even flew to Japan where we ate sushi at least once a day and even after that, I was nowhere near sick of it! I actually wanted more haha.
When H isn’t home, I’ll make my own since going to eat omakase is an experience I like to share with him (I know, I’m so selfless). I’ve made some sushi burritos as well as sushi bowls at home and I’ve really liked using the Instant Pot to make my sushi rice lately. I don’t have to keep an eye on the stovetop and because it uses natural pressure release, I can do chores or go shower without worry about burning the bottom of my rice on the stove!
Photo by Frank Zhang on Unsplash
What type of rice do you use for sushi?
Sushi Rice is rice that’s flavoured with vinegar-based seasonings. Sushi rice is made of white, short-grain Japanese rice seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. However, keep in mind that some rice companies outside of Japan call their short grain rice “sushi rice” so make sure to double check where it is made and if it’s truly sushi rice or just short grain rice.
If you want “real” sushi rice, it is important you purchase authentic sushi rice as the consistency and flavour of Japanese rice is very different from other types of rice. Sushi rice has higher moisture content and is characterized by its stickiness and texture.
How To Make the Vinegar Seasoning for Sushi Rice
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, and 2 tsp kosher salt.
- Mix until completely dissolved. If it’s not dissolve, you can heat it up on the stove top to help it come together.
- Set aside.
How to Cook Sushi Rice
- Rinse and drain the sushi rice at least 5 times in cold water or until the water runs clear.
- Add rice and water to the Instant Pot and press manual, setting the Instant Pot for 10 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, let the IP Natural Pressure Release, this can take up to 20 minutes before the pin drops.
- When done, pour the vinegar seasoning onto the rice.
- To combine, “cut” the rice with your rice paddle. Mixing the rice in a circular motion will mush the rice. Cut down the rice until the grains have separated. Allow it to cool before using if you wish (when making sushi bowls, I use it warm).
What to make with Sushi Rice
- sushi! duh haha
- sushi burritos
- sushi bowl
- inari (sushi rice stuffed into fried tofu pouches)
- you could make onigiri but traditionally, they use unseasoned rice
How To Reheat Sushi Rice
- To reheat sushi rice, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of water over the rice and partially cover the bowl with a damp paper towel so that, as the rice is reheated in the microwave, it re-steams. Microwave it for 60 seconds at a time, checking after each minute.
- You might have to add a splash of rice vinegar to bring some of the flavour back.
Instant Pot Sushi Rice
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 cups water
Equipment
- Rice paddle
Instructions
Rice Seasoning
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, and 2 tsp kosher salt.
- Mix until completely dissolved. If it’s not dissolve, you can heat it up on the stove top to help it come together.
- Set aside.
Sushi Rice
- Rinse and drain the sushi rice at least 5 times in cold water or until the water runs clear.
- Add rice and water to the Instant Pot and press manual, setting the Instant Pot for 10 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, let the IP Natural Pressure Release, this can take up to 20 minutes before the pin drops.
- When done, pour the vinegar seasoning onto the rice.
- To combine, “cut” the rice with your rice paddle. Mixing the rice in a circular motion will mush the rice. Cut down the rice until the grains have separated. Allow it to cool before using if you wish (when making sushi bowls, I use it warm).
More Rice Recipes You May Like
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Amy says
When doubling the recipe do you double the cook and NP time as well?
Carmy says
You shouldn’t need to as the time it takes to come up to pressure will take longer naturally if you double the recipe. Hope this helps :)
Jessica says
Is a rice paddle absolutely necessary or could any plastic utensil work?
Carmy says
A rice paddle helps you mix your rice efficiently and without accidentally mushing down the grains as it’s designed to cut through the grains. Hope that helps!
Brooke says
How many rolls does this recipe make?
Carmy says
Hi Brooke, unfortunately since each roll doesn’t use the same amount of rice, I cannot answer that for you. This recipe uses 2 cups of uncooked rice so it makes around 4 cups of cooked rice.
Roberta says
What can you use instead of sugar?
Carmy says
Hi Roberta, unfortunately this sushi rice recipe requires sugar to balance out the acidity from the rice vinegar.