Instant Pot sushi rice is a easy way to make rice in your pressure cooker. It’s a one pot, quick rice recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
Jump to:
Instant Pot sushi rice is a simple way to make sushi rice without the stovetop.
Use your Instant Pot pressure cooker to make this rice that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
This recipe makes fluffy, soft, and tender rice, that is perfect to use as a side dish for Asian dishes, or even season it to use for sushi.
When making sushi rice for sushi, the rice is usually seasoned with salt, sugar, and sushi vinegar.
This recipe uses a 6 quart (5.7 litre) Instant Pot duo.
What is Sushi Rice?
Sushi rice is a type of short grain rice.
In comparison to long grain rice types, such as basmati rice, the grains of sushi rice are smaller in size.
Sushi rice is typically used in sushi, but it has many other uses too!
You could use sushi rice to accompany meat dishes, Asian foods such as vegetables or meats, or enjoy it with a rice seasoning on top.
Why type of vinegar do I use?
It is important that you use the right kind of vinegar when seasoning the sushi rice.
I tested out various types of vinegars and found the best one to use was sushi vinegar or rice wine vinegar.
I used Obento brand which can be purchased from your local supermarket or Asian grocery store.
I do not recommend substituting sushi vinegar for rice vinegar.
Rice vinegar is a much harsher vinegar and you will find that if you use it to season your sushi rice the vinegar taste will be way to strong.
If you are a bit hesitant about adding vinegar to your sushi rice, it may be best to add the sushi vinegar gradually and mix it through.
Taste the rice between additions of vinegar and adjust it to taste.
Safety and the Instant Pot
While this recipe of basmati rice in the Instant Pot is easy to do, it is important to make sure proper safety measures are followed to avoid injury when cooking.
Here are some safety tips when using the Instant Pot. For more safety tips, consult your Instant Pot user manual.
- When the rice is cooking, it is under a lot of pressure, do not move the Instant Pot, and do not attempt to open the lid. You must ensure that your steam release handle is set to sealing before you start cooking.
- Make sure your sealing ring is on properly, as well as the float valve, and steam release handle. If unsure on how to properly set up your Instant Pot before use, consult your user manual.
- Make sure your lid is on properly before you start cooking. It should click into place.
- When manually releasing the steam, you could use the back of a wooden spoon to turn the steam release handle to venting. This may make it less likely you burn yourself on any steam that may escape from the steam release handle.
- When you are cooking, it may be tempting to walk away from your Instant Pot. However, we recommend staying nearby the Instant Pot in case something happens.
- When you open the lid of your Instant Pot after cooking, open it away from you so that the steam does not come towards you.
- If the float value is still up, do not open the lid. The Instant Pot is still pressurized. Likewise, if it is difficult to open the lid, it is likely the Instant Pot is still under pressure. Do not open the lid until all pressure has been released.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This Instant Pot sushi rice recipe is a one pot rice recipe.
- Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Use this rice as a side dish to accompany meats, or other dishes. You could even use this rice to make sushi.
Cost To Make
Estimated cost = $1.16, or $0.29 a serve (excluding seasonings)
Ingredients
Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.
- Sushi Rice: Make sure you rinse your rice until the water runs clear before using it. Drain all excess water off before you use the sushi rice.
- Water
Optional seasonings (if using for sushi)
- Salt
- Sugar
- Sushi Vinegar
Instructions
This recipe makes about 5 cups of cooked sushi rice (890 grams, 39.39 ounces).
Step One: Rince your rice using room temperature water until the water runs clear. This could take about 3 to 4 rinses.
Completely drain off all water and then place it in the Instant Pot.
Step Two: Add 2 cups water to the Instant pot. (see note 2).
Step Three: Close the lid of the Instant Pot and place the steam release valve in the sealing position.
Select Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 3 minutes.
The Instant Pot will take about 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure.
After this, it will start to count down.
Step Four: When the cook time has finished, press cancel. The screen should say OFF.
Step Five: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes (or until the silver pin has dropped).
After 10 minutes, you can quick release (manually release) any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to venting.
Step Six: Remove the lid of the Instant Pot when all pressure has been released. Fluff the rice.
Seasoning For Sushi (optional)
Step Seven: Transfer the rice to a glass bowl and mix through the sugar, vinegar and salt using a wooden spoon.
Allow to cool completely and then use as a filling for sushi.
Tips for Success
If you are seasoning your rice for sushi, make sure you transfer the rice to a glass or wooden bowl and use a wooden spoon to mix through the seasonings.
If you use metal, the vinegar will react with the metal and the rice will not taste right.
Serving Suggestions
Use this Instant Pot sushi rice to make sushi. Or use as a side dish to many different meals such as meats or vegetables.
Storage
Store any leftover sushi rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
FAQ
We found that when cooking sushi rice on the stovetop, the cooked rice tends to stick to the bottom of the pot and is often drier.
When cooking in the Instant Pot, we have not found the cooked sushi rice to stick to the bottom, and it makes a fluffy and consistent rice every time.
As one of the seasonings for the sushi rice is vinegar it is recommended to use a glass bowl and wooden spoon to mix the seasonings through.
If you use metal, the vinegar may react with the metal. As a result, the rice may get a metallic type taste.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.
Recipe
Instant Pot Sushi Rice
Equipment
- Instant Pot Duo 6 quart (5.7 Litre)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (420 grams, 14.81 ounces) sushi rice
- 2 cups (480 ml) water
Optional Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons sushi vinegar or to taste
- 2 teaspoons caster sugar super fine sugar, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Rinse your rice using room temperature water until the water runs clear. (see note 1) Completely drain off all water and then place it in the Instant Pot.
- Add 2 cups water to the Instant pot. (see note 2).
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and place the steam release valve in the sealing position. Select Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 3 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 5 to 10 minutes to come to pressure. After this, it will start to count down.
- When the cook time has finished, press cancel. The screen should say OFF.
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes (or until the silver pin has dropped). After 10 minutes, you can quick release (manually release) any remaining pressure by turning the steam release valve to venting.
- Remove the lid of the Instant Pot when all pressure has been released. Fluff the rice.
- Seasoning For Sushi (optional)
- Transfer the rice to a glass bowl and mix through the sugar, vinegar and salt using a wooden spoon. Allow to cool completely and then use as a filling for sushi.
Notes
- This could take 3 to 4 rinses.
- Make sure that your rice sits evenly along the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- This recipe uses a 6 quart (5.7 litre) Instant Pot.
- This recipe makes about 5 cups of cooked sushi rice (890 grams, 39.39 ounces).
- If you are seasoning your rice for sushi, make sure you transfer the rice to a glass or wooden bowl and use a wooden spoon to mix through the seasonings. If you use metal, the vinegar will react with the metal and the rice will not taste right.
Sue says
Made this a few times now, and it turns out perfect each time.