Instant Pot Sushi Rice is easy and requires little hands-on time. This flavorful recipe will have you eating homemade sushi in no time!
If you ask any member of my immediate family what their favorite food is, at any given time at least ¾ of us would say sushi. We go out for sushi as a family fairly often, and most often if we are celebrating a special event we will choose to go for sushi.
But to cut back on costs, we have recently been learning how to make sushi at home. And if you're a sushi lover like me, you know that one very important component of sushi is the rice.
To make sushi, you first need to learn how to make sushi rice. And to make that a little easier and hands-off, I like to use my Instant Pot. So if you want to start making sushi at home too, let's learn how to make Instant Pot Sushi Rice!
How to Make Sushi Rice in an Instant Pot:
To make Instant Pot Sushi Rice (and any rice), start by rinsing the rice. You can do this in a bowl, colander, or fine-mesh strainer (this is what I prefer) and rinse with cold tap water several times until the water runs clear. Allow all excess water to drain, then transfer the rice and fresh water to the bowl of your Instant Pot.
Set the pot to cook at low pressure for 12 minutes, make sure that the vent is closed, and turn off the "keep warm" function. While you're waiting for the rice to cook, stir together the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a heat-proof measuring cup. Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave, then stir again until the sugar and salt dissolve. Set this aside.
When the rice is done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally (this will take about 10 minutes). Pour the vinegar mixture over the rice, and gently stir with a rice spoon until the vinegar is absorbed into the rice and the rice becomes sticky (when you first pour the rice in, it will look like a soupy mess, but don't worry - it will be fine in a few seconds).
Allow the rice to cool slightly or to room temperature (if you want to serve it quickly, transfer it to a shallow dish or plate to allow it to cool more quickly). Use the rice to make poke bowls, nigiri, maki, or sushi bowls.
How do I make sushi rice without an Instant Pot?
I like to use my Instant Pot to make sushi rice (and all rice) because it's fast, easy, and hands-off. If you don't have an Instant Pot, or prefer a different method to make rice (like the stovetop or a rice cooker), you can cook the rice via your preferred method, and follow this recipe from step 3 to make seasoned sushi rice.
Instant Pot Sushi Rice Ingredients:
- Short-grain sushi rice - find it in the rice aisle of a well-stocked grocery store. See more tips below.
- Water - Use whatever water you normally drink. Cold tap water is fine.
- Rice vinegar - find this in the aisle with other vinegars. Note that it's very important that it's plain, unseasoned rice vinegar (seasoned rice vinegar already has sugar and salt added to it).
- Granulated sugar - This seems like a lot of sugar to add, but it will all work out in the end. When mixed with the vinegar and salt, it works out to be just the right amount of seasoning.
- Table salt - or you can use kosher salt, but you will need to add a little extra. If you normally use Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, add an extra ¾ teaspoon for this recipe.
What kind of rice should I use to make sushi rice?
Sushi rice is most often made with short-grain Japanese-style rice.
Note that sushi rice may or may not be grown in Japan, (some is grown in the US) and this doesn't affect the quality. This type of rice is stickier, so it holds together better if you use it to make maki and/or nigiri. Some brands to look for include Lundberg Farms and Kokuho Rose.
Although technically a medium-grain rice, Calrose Rice will also work. Look for Botan or Nishiki in this case. (The sushi rice you see in the photos in this post is made with Botan Calrose Rice).
Want more rice recipes?
Instant Pot Sushi Rice Nutrition Notes:
Sushi rice is quite high in sodium due to its generous seasoning. If you need to follow a reduced-sodium diet for health reasons, I would recommend keeping your portion size of this rice small, and avoid using extra seasonings like soy sauce when you eat this rice.
How to make Sushi Rice in an Instant Pot
Equipment
- Rice Spoon (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 cups short grain sushi rice
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon table salt or 1 Tablespoon plus ¾ teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Add 2 cups short grain sushi rice to a large fine-mesh strainer and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear. Place the rinsed rice into the Instant Pot and add 2 cups water.
- Close the vent, turn off the "keep warm" setting, and set the instant pot to cook at low pressure for 12 minutes. When it's complete, let the pressure release naturally (about 10 minutes).
- While you're waiting, stir together ½ cup rice vinegar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and 1 Tablespoon table salt in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds on high, then stir again until the sugar and salt dissolve completely (if you're having trouble getting them to dissolve, you can microwave for 20-30 more seconds).
- When the instant pot pressure is completely released, open the lid and pour the vinegar mixture over the rice. Gently fold the vinegar into the rice using a rice spoon or large spoon (it will look at first like the rice will be a soupy mess - don't worry, just keep folding gently) until the vinegar mixture is absorbed, and the rice is sticky.
- If it's not already, turn the keep warm function off on the instant pot, and allow the rice to cool slightly (or cool to room temperature if preferred) before serving (if you plan to serve it right away, you can transfer it to a large, shallow dish to cool more quickly). Use the seasoned sushi rice to make homemade sushi, serve with poke, or make sushi bowls.
Nutrition
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