How to Make Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker

Name: How to Make Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1.5 cups sushi rice ((I use Nishiki)); 2 cups filtered water; 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar ((I use Marukan))

by Joanne February 11, 2021

This is hands down the easiest way to make sushi rice for homemade sushi. Just use your rice cooker!

Yesterday I posted my how-to for making homemade sushi, and this post is completely dedicated to making the sushi rice.

How to Make Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker - With Paddle

There is an art to making perfect sushi rice, but I think that’s best left to the sushi chefs who have spent years learning how to make it perfectly.

When I make sushi at home, I leave the cooking up to my rice cooker. And as long as you have a somewhat decent rice cooker, the results should definitely be satisfactory!

Sushi Rice - In a Rice Cooker Bowl with Rice Paddle

I have this rice cooker, and at $60 I think it’s a very reasonably priced appliance. I use it a ton and I’m impressed with the rice it turns out.

UPDATE: After lots of research, I was convinced enough that more expensive rice cookers are in fact superior, so I ended up replacing my old rice cooker with this 5-star rated Zojirushi (affiliate). And WOW there is a huge difference. We had kept the box in case we wanted to return it, but the rice is so much better, we decided it’s indeed worth the cost.

Rice Paddle Holding Up a Spoonful of Rice Cooker Sushi Rice

To get started, combine rice and water in the rice cooker. I use Nishiki rice, which is easy to find and regarded as a high-quality rice. My Japanese friends say it’s the best!

Pouring Water Into Rice Cooker Container with Rice

As far as washing goes, I don’t rinse this particular brand of rice. A lot of people are adamant about this, but the directions for Nishiki instruct you to combine the rice with the water as is. You can wash the rice if you feel more comfortable.

While the rice cooks, all you need to finish it up is some seasoned rice vinegar. If you google sushi rice, you’ll see that most recipes call for rice vinegar, salt, and sugar, then you dissolve them together and season the rice with it.

Buying rice vinegar with the salt and sugar already in it takes that step away, so that’s why I keep this on hand:

A close up of a bottle of Rice Vinegar

For the 1.5 cups of uncooked rice that we used, about 1/4 cup of the rice vinegar is ideal. Add it to the rice:

Cooked Sushi Rice in Cooker with Vinegar Being Poured In

Gently toss the rice around to further distribute the rice vinegar, trying not to mash or flatten the rice:

Sushi Rice Recipe - One Batch in Cooker Container with Paddle

Then it’s ready to be used for homemade sushi. Enjoy!