How To Make Sushi Rice in Rice Cooker?

I’ve always loved sushi, but for me, the real magic starts with the rice. Getting that perfect balance—sticky but not mushy, flavorful but not overpowering—can make or break the dish. The first time I tried making sushi rice at home, I was nervous, but once I nailed it, it completely changed how I approached sushi-making.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few reliable methods to cook sushi rice perfectly, and today I’m excited to share not just one, but three ways to do it. Each method has its perks, depending on your kitchen setup and how hands-on you want to be.

Before we jump into cooking, I’ll introduce you to the types of rice I use, the ideal rice-to-water ratio, and some handy tips I’ve picked up along the way. These little details make a huge difference and will help you create sushi rice that’s just as good as what you’d get at a restaurant.

Types Of Rice To Use

Sushi rice is unique, and the type of rice you choose makes a big difference in the final texture and taste. Before we tell you the types of rice to use for sushi rice, we’ll start by telling you what you can’t use. To cook delicious sushi rice, you can’t use the rice (medium-grain rice) you’d normally use to make burritos or curry.

• Short grain rice: To make the perfect sushi rice, this is the best type of rice to use. It’s also called Shari or Japonica (Japanese short-grain rice).
• Long grain rice: Ideally, we won’t recommend this to anyone making sushi rice, but it will make an ‘okay’ alternative to the short grain rice.

What Is Sushi Rice?

Sushi rice is rounder and shorter than jasmine rice and basmati rice. It’s the prime meal in Japan. The country is regarded as the sushi capital of the world. Ironically, sushi rice originates from China. It tastes different from conventional rice because it’s cooked with sushi vinegar, sugar, and salt. Sushi rice has a sticky texture, and this is why you can easily form those small pieces with it.

Rice To Water Ratio For Sushi Rice In A Rice Cooker

This is one of the most important things to consider when cooking sushi rice. You don’t want to use too much water and end up with overcooked rice. That will be far from the texture you want in good sushi rice. If you use too little water, the rice will be crunchy, dry, and most likely undercooked.

This begs the question – what’s the ideal rice-to-water ratio? This depends on the cooking method.

If you’re using a stove top to cook sushi rice, the rice-water ratio should be 1:1.25. In layman’s terms, this means for each cup of rice, add 1 and a quarter cup.

On the flip side, if you’re using a rice cooker bowl, the ratio should be 1:1. We’re sure you’ve figured out what that means already. For the sake of those who haven’t, that means a cup of water for each cup of uncooked rice.

What People Love About Sushi Rice?

Japanese sushi rice is flavorful, low in fat, and versatile. It pairs well with many toppings and fillings, making it a great base for creative dishes. You can use a wide variety of toppings or fillings for this dish. Your sushi rice can also be elaborate or simple, depending on your preference.

Sushi Rice Recipe

For the perfect sushi rice, you need the best sushi rice recipe. We’ll be giving you three different recipes. One for each cooking method. What they have in common are the ingredients – uncooked rice, sushi vinegar, and water.

Below is the list of things you need to cook this dish with a rice cooker:

• 2 cups of sushi rice (we recommend using the rice measuring cup that came with the cooker)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of sushi vinegar. You can either buy it from a store or make it at home. If you decide on doing the latter, you’ll need rice wine vinegar or seasoned rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for the vinegar mixture.

Here’s the recipe for cooking this dish with a pressure pot:

• 2 cups of sushi rice
• 2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of homemade or store-bought sushi vinegar

Below is the recipe for cooking rice with a saucepan:

• 2 cups of sushi rice
• 2 and a half cups of water
• 2 tablespoons of homemade or store-bought sushi vinegar

How Do You Make Sushi Rice Using The Rice Cooker Method?

Let’s show you how to make the best sushi rice using our preferred method. Follow the steps below:

• Put the sushi rice grains in the rice cooker bowl
• Add enough water and rinse the rice grains with your hands
• Repeat the above step 2 or 3 times depending on how much starch the rice has
• Now, it’s time to cook. Add the recommended quantity of rice to the rice cooker bowl and let it soak for 30 minutes
• Select “rice” on your rice cooker and start the equipment
• Your cooked rice will be ready once the rice cooker as soon as the cook time is over

How Do You Make Sushi Rice Using A Pressure Pot?

• Just like with the rice cooker, put your cups of rice into the pressure pot bowl and add enough water. Rinse the rice 2-3 times
• Now, add the recommended amount of water in the bowl to cook sushi rice. Let the rice soak for 30 minutes
• Cover the pressure pot with its lid and seal it properly. Also, make sure the valve is sealed as well
• Set the pot to ‘high pressure’ and cook sushi rice for 3 minutes
• Then set it to ‘natural release steam’ for 10 minutes
• Slowly release any remaining pressure

How Do You Make Sushi Using A Stovetop Saucepan?

• Get a medium saucepan and add all the rice inside
• Pour enough water into the pan and wash it 2-3 times
• Add your 2 and a half cups of water to the rinsed rice
• Place the saucepan on the stovetop, switch on the cooker, and set the flames to high heat. Don’t cover the saucepan.
• Once the rice starts boiling, cover the saucepan and reduce the flames to the lowest setting. Leave the rice to cook for 15 minutes
• Remove the saucepan from the stovetop with the lid still on and allow the rice to steam inside for about 10 minutes. During this period, don’t take off the lid to peek at the rice so you don’t let some steam escape
• Remove the lid after it steams

Seasoning Sushi Rice With Vinegar

When you’re done cooking the rice, transfer it into a wooden bowl. You can also use a chopping board or a non-stick wide pot. Add your sushi vinegar mixture to the cooked rice evenly and use a wooden spoon or a rice paddle to gently stir it. Move the spoon like you’re slicing or lifting something. It’s best to do this immediately after cooking so that the steam will help the vinegar with the sushi rice seasoning.

Helpful Tips For Cooking Sushi Rice

It’s easy to make mistakes when cooking sushi rice at home, but knowing a few tips helps avoid them. This is why you need to know the tips that will help you cook the rice with perfection.

Avoid Stirring The Rice Too Much

When you want to season sushi rice, take care to stir the rice gently and moderately with a rice paddle. The reason is that sushi rice is delicate, and if you stir it too much, you’ll end up with broken rice grains or mushy cooked rice.

The Right Amount Of Sushi Vinegar

When making sushi rice, you can’t skip the part where you’ll season the cooked rice with the vinegar mixture. For a start, use a tablespoon of seasoned sushi vinegar per cup of uncooked rice. After some time, you can increase it to 2 tablespoons. After adding the vinegar to the rice, allow the rice to absorb it.

Don’t Take Off The Lid When Steaming

This is very important. If you want to make good sushi rice, ensure that you leave the lid on during the steaming process. Taking it off will disrupt the process, and your steamed rice may not have the texture that it should have.

Soak The Rice Before Cooking

We recommend soaking the rinsed sushi rice for about 30 minutes before cooking it. Failure to do this will leave you with some raw or overcooked grains.

Don’t Rinse The Rice With A Sieve

When rinsing the rice in the rice bowl, avoid straining it with a sieve or colander because they will break the grains of the rinsed sushi rice.

What To Serve It With

When your vinegar-flavored rice is ready, you can serve it with miso soup, nikujaga, and okonomiyaki. You can also serve sushi rolls with chunks of beef, pieces of chicken, or turkey tenderloin.

Conclusion

I’ve found that making sushi rice at home isn’t as intimidating as it seems. The key for me has always been soaking the rice properly, using just the right amount of water, and being gentle when folding in the vinegar. Once I stick to those steps, I can enjoy perfect, fluffy sushi rice every time.

My favorite part of sushi night is how good rice elevates even a simple roll. With a little patience, the results are always rewarding.

So go ahead and try it yourself. Don’t stress over perfection—focus on the process, enjoy the aromas, and savor each bite. Making sushi at home can be just as satisfying as going out, and honestly, it’s a lot of fun too!

About the Author

William Chase is the creator of KitchenForBeginners.com, where he shares simple, step-by-step recipes to help new cooks feel confident in the kitchen. With a passion for home-style cooking and exploring global flavors, William enjoys finding approachable ways to recreate restaurant favorites at home. His own experiments with perfecting sushi rice in a rice cooker inspired this easy, beginner-friendly guide.
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Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker

Learn how to prepare perfect sushi rice using a rice cooker with this easy-to-follow recipe.

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: Side Dish

Instructions

• Place the sushi rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.
• Transfer the rinsed rice to the rice cooker and add 2 cups of water. Let the rice soak for 30 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• Start the rice cooker and cook the rice according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the rice sit in the cooker for an additional 10 minutes to steam.
• While the rice is steaming, prepare the sushi vinegar by combining rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Microwave for 20-30 seconds until the sugar and salt dissolve.
• Transfer the cooked rice to a non-reactive bowl (such as a wooden or glass bowl). Gently fold the sushi vinegar into the rice using a wooden spatula or rice paddle. Be careful not to mash the rice grains.
• Allow the seasoned rice to cool to room temperature before using it for sushi rolls or serving.