Sushi Rice Substitutes

Out of sushi 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 sushi rice between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the sushi rice converter.

What to use instead of sushi rice

  • Arborio Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup sushi rice = 1 cup arborio rice

    Arborio is the closest substitute for sushi rice: both are short-grain and starchy, yielding a sticky, cohesive result. Use 1:1; the slightly creamier arborio texture works well in rice pudding and acceptably for rice bowls.

    See arborio rice substitutes →

  • White Rice

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup sushi rice = 1 cup white rice

    White long-grain rice can replace sushi rice in most dishes, though the lower starch means it won't cling together as well. For sushi rolls, the grains stay loose; add a touch of rice vinegar and let it cool slowly to get closer to the sticky texture.

    See white rice substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for sushi rice?
There are 2 workable substitutes for sushi rice, depending on what you have on hand and which property of sushi rice matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup sushi rice = 1 cup arborio 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 sushi 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 sushi rice converter
How do I measure sushi 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 sushi 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 sushi rice converter

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