Learn how to cook perfect sushi rice in the Instant Pot every time with this never-failing recipe. This Japanese sushi rice recipe is easy and quick and makes the best rice for sushi rolls, sushi bowls, and hand rolls.

Sushi Rice in a bowl ready to be served with vinegar on the side
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Sushi is one of my all-time favorite foods. I have been missing eating out sushi these days. So, I thought, why not make it at home?

Making perfect sushi rice is an art. But when I make it at home, I leave the cooking totally on my Instant Pot. And guess what, it turns out amazing every time and so simple – just a bit of rice vinegar, salt and a touch of sugar.

What is Sushi Rice?

Sushi rice, or sushi meshi (in Japanese), is a white short grain Japanese rice that has been dressed in rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. It has a sticky texture which helps to hold the shape of the roll, and the flavors complement the fillings or toppings.

What are the Best Sushi Rice brands and seasonings to use?

It is very important when making rice for sushi that you use the right type of rice. Some excellent sushi rice brands are:

I recommend unseasoned Japanese rice vinegar. I used Mizkan Rice Vinegar, it is easily available in local Asian grocery stores and on Amazon.

How to Make Instant Pot Sushi Rice?

Sushi rice is so easy to make in Instant Pot! The two main important things that you’ll need to get it right are:

  • The type of rice that you use
  • The rice seasoning

Couple those ingredients with the perfect cooking method, making sushi rice in the instant pot, and you will be a champion in rolling homemade sushi rolls and making sushi bowls in no time!

Ingredients you’ll need

  • Sushi Rice
  • Japanese Rice Vinegar
  • Cold Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt

Instant Pot Cooking Method

Rinsing the rice: Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand 2-3 times or until the water is clear.

After the rice is rinsed, let the rice drain in a colander or strainer for 5-10 minutes.

Cook rice: Pour in cold water and the well rinsed & drained rice into an Instant Pot. Ensure all the rice is fully submerged in the water. Pressure cook for 5 minutes at HIGH pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release for five minutes before releasing steam manually.

How to cook sushi rice step by step collage

Seasoning: While the rice cooks, mix the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl until blended. Gently heat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop, if needed.

Note: Do not bring sushi vinegar to a boil. Mix it well and ensure the sugar and salt dissolve in the vinegar mixture.

Season the rice: Transfer the rice to a large container or a bowl and gently spread out the rice with a rice paddle. Slowly & evenly pour the sushi vinegar over the rice. Gently mix the rice with the rice paddle.

Sushi Rice being seasoned with vinegar

That’s it; your sushi rice is ready to eat! If you are making sushi rolls, keep them covered with a kitchen towel to prevent them from drying till the sushi rice is cooled to room temperature.

Don’t forget to check out my vegan sushi rolls recipe for beginners. Enjoy!

Homemade Sushi Rice in a bowl with chopsticks

Tips to Make Perfect Sushi Rice

  • Use good quality Japanese short-grain rice. They are easily available in local Asian grocery stores and on Amazon.
  • Pour vinegar onto the hot rice so that the rice turns out nice and shiny.
  • Carefully add the vinegar to the rice and gently spread it with a rice paddle. Over Stirring will mash the rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use basmati or jasmine rice to make sushi?

I do not recommend these types of rice for sushi rice as they don’t stick together well and provide the sticky consistency needed for good sushi rice.

Why do you rinse sushi rice?

This removes any excess starch and debris from the rice. Too much starch can make the rice too mushy.

What does the vinegar do to the rice?

The vinegar adds flavor and subtle sweetness, as well as helps to make the rice sticky, perfect for sushi rolls!

Can you make this dish in advance?

You can make it up to about an hour in advance and keep it covered with a damp towel, but it’s best used fresh if making sushi.

Can you keep Sushi Rice overnight?

You can keep your sushi rice at room temperature for up to six hours before you eat. If you refrigerate the rice, it could become sticky. So, be wary of keeping it in there for too long.

Hope you enjoy this easy Sushi Rice recipe to make sushi. Here are more Instant Pot Rice & Grain recipes you might enjoy:

4.88 from 97 votes

Instant Pot Sushi Rice

Learn how to cook perfect sushi rice in the Instant Pot every time with this never-failing recipe. This Japanese sushi rice recipe is easy, quick and makes the best rice for sushi rolls, sushi bowls and hand rolls.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Place the rice into a mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Clean the rice in the water with your hand, 2-3 times or until the water is clear.
    Soak Sushi Rice in cold water
  • After the rice is rinsed, let the rice drain in a colander or strainer for 5-10 minutes.
    Drained Sushi Rice
  • Pour in cold water for cooking and the well rinsed & drained rice in Instant Pot. Ensure all the rice is fully submerged in the water. Pressure cook for 5 minutes at HIGH pressure. Allow for a natural pressure release for five minutes before releasing steam manually.
    Cooked sushi rice in Instant Pot
  • While the rice cooks, mix the vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl until blended. Gently heat in microwave or in a pan on stovetop, if needed.
    Note: Do not bring sushi vinegar to a boil. Mix it well and make sure that the sugar and salt get dissolved in the vinegar mixture.
    Vinegar Mixture
  • Transfer the rice to a large container or a bowl and gently spread out the rice with a rice paddle. Slowly & evenly pour the sushi vinegar over the rice. Gently mix the rice with the rice paddle.
    How to season sushi rice
  • That's it your sushi rice is ready to eat!
    Homemade sushi rice

Notes

Tips for perfect sushi rice: 
  • Use good quality Japanese short-grain rice. They are easily available in local Asian grocery stores and on Amazon.
  • Pour vinegar onto the hot rice so that the rice turns out nice and shiny.
  • Carefully add the vinegar to the rice and gently spread it with a rice paddle. Over Stirring will mash the rice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 589mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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4.88 from 97 votes (84 ratings without comment)

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35 Comments

  1. just wondering, why cook rice separately? can’t I just put vinegar and other ingredients in the instant pot with the rice?

    1. Hi Sharon – I feel that the rice cooks well without the other ingredients and it is easy to mix them after.

  2. Excellent recipe! Made exactly as directed and it turned out perfect! I didn’t lay it on a sheet pan though, just poured the liquid around the rice in the IP then kinda “chopped” they the rice evenly distribute. I did add approx. 2 TBSP of Trader Joe’s Furikaki seasoning and “chopped” that in as well. It was perfect for making Musibi for my families lunches this week! Thank you!

  3. Have you ever tried just adding the vinegar, sugar and salt directly into the instant pot with the rice and water? I am curious how that would be.

    Thanks

  4. Too much liquid – I typically do 1:1 when cooking any rice in the instant pot but I haven’t done sushi rice yet so I trusted this recipe. The rice was very wet and gummy.

  5. Followed to the letter, rice looks more like congee than sushi rice after cooking. Would recommend 1:1 rice and water.

  6. I use this recipe like 3x a month! So easy to read and follow! Thank you!

    As someone who is new to the instant pot world I would love to hear how you make larger batches!

    1. I made the rice like I always do, 3 cups rice to 4 cups water for 8 minutes, and then tripled the other ingredients and it turned out well, tho I’ll have to figure out how to distribute the vinegar mixture better bc I mixed it in the pot instead of actually spreading it out to save time.