Arborio Rice Substitutes

Out of arborio rice? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert arborio rice between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the arborio rice converter.

What to use instead of arborio rice

  • Sushi Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup arborio rice = 1 cup sushi rice

    Sushi rice is the closest substitute for arborio: both are short-grain and high in starch, producing a creamy, cohesive texture. Use it 1:1 in risotto or rice pudding; results are nearly identical.

    See sushi rice substitutes →

  • White Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup arborio rice = 1 cup white rice

    White long-grain rice can substitute for arborio in rice pudding or baked dishes, giving a less creamy result due to lower starch content. For risotto, the looser texture is noticeable, but the dish still works if arborio is unavailable.

    See white rice substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for arborio rice?
There are 2 workable substitutes for arborio rice, depending on what you have on hand and which property of arborio rice matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup arborio rice = 1 cup sushi rice. Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting arborio rice change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the arborio rice converter
How do I measure arborio rice accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The arborio rice converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the arborio rice converter

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