Recipe

Sushi Rice Perfect Texture

Glossy, fluffy, lightly seasoned sushi rice that sticks together without turning gummy. Works for rolls, nigiri, poke bowls, and weeknight sushi cravings.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.9

A bowl of glossy sushi rice with a wooden rice paddle on a kitchen counter

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Sushi night at home gets a lot more fun when the rice behaves. You want grains that are tender but still distinct, a gentle stickiness that holds a roll together, and that clean sweet tang that makes you go back in for “just one more piece.” This is the method I use when I want reliable sushi rice with perfect texture without turning dinner into a science fair.

We are keeping ingredients simple, steps clear, and the vibes very much “taste as you go,” meaning you taste the seasoning liquid before it hits the rice so you can adjust without guessing. If you can rinse rice and stir a quick seasoning, you can absolutely make sushi rice that feels restaurant-level.

Short-grain rice being rinsed in a fine mesh strainer under running water in a sink

Why It Works

Fluffy, not mushy: Rinsing removes excess surface starch so you get sticky grains, not glue.
Evenly seasoned: We dissolve the seasoning first, then fold it in gently so every bite tastes balanced.
Shiny finish: Cooling and fanning helps the rice look glossy and keeps it from steaming itself into gumminess.
Right temperature: Sushi rice is best slightly warm or room temp, which makes it easier to shape and better for toppings.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Sushi rice is at its best the day you make it, but leftovers can still be totally usable if you store it right.

Food safety note

Cool rice quickly and refrigerate within 1 hour if you can (and within 2 hours at absolute max). Spread it in a thin layer in a wide container to speed things up.
Do not leave cooked rice sitting out for hours.

Fridge

Once it is no longer steaming hot, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
Best quality: use within 24 hours (the texture firms up fast in the fridge).
Food safety: if cooled and stored promptly, cooked rice is commonly kept up to 3 to 4 days, but it will not be great for sushi by then. It is better for bowls or fried rice.

How to reheat

Sprinkle a little water over the rice (about 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup).
Cover and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring gently, until just warm.
Let it sit covered for 2 minutes, then fluff.

Freezing

Not my first choice for sushi, but it works for bowls.
Portion into freezer bags, press flat, freeze up to 1 month.
Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat with a splash of water.

Common Questions

What kind of rice should I buy?

Look for Japanese short-grain rice or anything labeled sushi rice. Medium grain can work in a pinch, but short-grain gives the classic sticky, tender texture.

Why do I have to rinse sushi rice?

Rinsing removes excess surface starch. That is the difference between pleasantly sticky rice and rice that clumps into a gummy brick.

Do I need a rice cooker?

Nope. A pot with a tight lid works great. A rice cooker is convenient, but the rinse, soak, and rest steps matter more than the gadget.

Can I use regular vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

Rice vinegar is ideal because it is mild and slightly sweet. If you only have white vinegar, use it sparingly and add a tiny extra pinch of sugar to soften the edge.

My rice turned out wet. What happened?

Most common causes are too much water, lifting the lid during cooking, or skipping the final rest. Also, some rice brands are thirstier than others. Next time, measure carefully, shake off excess rinse water well, and let it steam off heat for the full 10 minutes. If it is still consistently wet, reduce the water by 2 to 3 tablespoons.

My rice is hard in the center. How do I fix it?

It likely needed more water or time (or your simmer was too low). You can save it by sprinkling 1 to 2 tablespoons water over the top, covering, and cooking on low for 3 to 5 minutes, then resting again.

How do I keep rice from sticking to my hands when shaping?

Use a small bowl of water with a splash of rice vinegar. Dip your fingertips lightly, then shape. Wet hands, gentle pressure, no overworking.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Fine mesh strainer or sieve
Medium saucepan with tight-fitting lid
Measuring cups (or a kitchen scale, optional but helpful)
Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl (for seasoning)
Wide bowl or baking dish (for cooling)
Rice paddle or silicone spatula
Clean kitchen towel (optional, helps cover rice while cooling)

The first time I tried making sushi rice, I treated it like plain old side-dish rice. I stirred it, I peeked, I rushed the cooling, and I ended up with something that could probably patch drywall. Now I do the boring parts on purpose. I rinse until the water chills out, I let the rice rest, and I fold in seasoning like I am handling something fragile and expensive. The payoff is immediate. That first bite of properly seasoned, glossy rice makes you feel like you have your life together, even if your “sushi” is a slightly chaotic hand roll eaten over the sink.

Sushi Rice Perfect Texture

(4.9 Reviews)

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings Makes about 4 cups cooked (6 to 8 rolls)

Ingredients

2 cups Japanese short-grain rice (sushi rice), uncooked
2 1/4 cups water (plus more for rinsing)
1/3 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Optional, but helpful: 1 (2-inch) piece kombu (dried kelp) for the cooking water. Adds subtle savory depth without tasting “seaweedy.”

Note on water ratios: This method is reliable for many brands, but rice varies by brand, age, and how dry it is. If your bag gives a different ratio, follow the package. If your rice is consistently a little wet or a little firm, adjust the water next time in small increments (2 to 3 tablespoons at a time).

Instructions

Rinse the rice. Put the rice in a bowl, cover with cold water, swish with your fingers, then drain. Repeat 4 to 6 times, until the water runs noticeably clearer (it does not have to be perfectly clear). Drain well in a fine mesh strainer for 2 minutes, then give the strainer a few shakes to shed excess water so your cooking ratio stays consistent.
Soak (do not skip). Add the drained rice and 2 1/4 cups water to a medium saucepan. Let it soak for 10 minutes. If using kombu, tuck it into the water now.
Cook. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a gentle boil, meaning steady bubbling but not a raging, splattery boil. As soon as you see that steady bubbling, cover with a tight lid and reduce heat to low, so it is barely simmering. Cook for 12 minutes. Do not lift the lid.
Rest and steam. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for 10 minutes. This finishes the texture. Remove kombu if you used it.
Make the seasoning. While the rice rests, combine 1/3 cup rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt in a small bowl. Warm it briefly (10 to 20 seconds in the microwave, or in a tiny saucepan just until the sugar dissolves). Stir until fully dissolved, then let it cool slightly. This is the part you can taste: the liquid should be sweet-tangy and balanced, not aggressively salty.
Cool the rice the right way. Transfer hot rice to a wide bowl or baking dish (wide and shallow helps excess steam escape). If you have a hangiri (wooden sushi tub), that is great too, but not required. Drizzle the seasoning evenly over the rice.
Fold, do not mash. Using a rice paddle or spatula, gently slice and fold the rice to distribute seasoning. Think: lift and turn, not stir in circles. If you can, fan the rice for 1 to 2 minutes while folding to help it turn glossy and cool faster.
Cover and hold. Drape a clean, slightly damp towel over the bowl and let the rice sit until slightly warm or room temperature, about 10 minutes. Now it is ready for rolls, nigiri, or bowls. If you are making sushi, aim to use it the same day. Refrigerating seasoned rice makes the texture sad and stiff.

Texture target: The rice should clump when pressed, but still show individual grains and feel light, not wet or pasty.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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Sushi Rice Perfect Texture

Why It Works

Pairs Well With

Recommended

Ultimate Sushi Bake

Classic Spam Musubi (Ginger Garlic)

Comforting Kung Pao Chicken

Modern Smashed Cucumber Salad With Chili Crisp

Storage Tips

Food safety note

Fridge

How to reheat

Freezing

Common Questions

What kind of rice should I buy?

Why do I have to rinse sushi rice?

Do I need a rice cooker?

Can I use regular vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

My rice turned out wet. What happened?

My rice is hard in the center. How do I fix it?

How do I keep rice from sticking to my hands when shaping?

Sushi Rice Perfect Texture

Ingredients

Instructions