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Simple Onigiri Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Simple Onigiri Recipe

Discover the simplicity of homemade onigiri with canned salmon—perfectly seasoned rice wrapped around savory fish, ideal for a quick and delicious snack or meal.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 serves (makes about 20 rice balls)
Calories: 75 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

For the Rice
  • 1 cup sushi rice uncooked, 200 grams, 7.05 ounces
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 2 tablespoons sushi vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons caster sugar super fine sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
For the Filling
  • 335 grams canned salmon drained, 11.82 ounces
  • 80 grams mayonnaise Japanese style
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • ½ cup green onion finely chopped, aka spring onions
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
  • 3 nori cut into small rectangles, seaweed sheets
  • sesame seeds lightly toasted
  • mayonnaise Japanese
  • soy sauce light
  • wasabi

Instructions

Making the Sushi Rice
    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse the sushi rice until the water runs clear (this could take 3-4 rinses). Completely drain the rice and then place in a saucepan.
  2. Add 1 ½ cups water to the rice and bring the water to a boil over medium to high heat. Once at a boil, reduce the heat to low, gently stir, and cover with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 15 minutes covered.
  3. Transfer the rice to a glass mixing bowl. Break up the rice using a wooden spoon and gently mix through the vinegar, sugar, and salt. Allow the rice to cool completely. Once cool, cover with a damp tea towel and place in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes.
For the Filling
  1. Combine all filling ingredients in a mixing bowl. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Set aside.
Putting It All Together
  1. Lightly wet your hands with water lightly. Take 1 ½ tablespoons of rice and mold it into a ball. Repeat until all the rice is used.
  2. After shaping all the rice balls, gently flatten one. Place approximately 1 teaspoon (5 grams, 0.176 ounces) of salmon mixture in the center of the flattened rice ball. Avoid overfilling. Cover the salmon with more rice, shaping it back into a ball.
  3. Repeat the previous steps until all the filling is used.
  4. Serve the rice balls as they are, or wrap each one with a strip of nori and sprinkle lightly toasted sesame seeds on top.

Notes

  • By Hand Method:
  • Using a Mold:
  • Plastic Wrap Method:
  • Additional Tips:
  • Moisten your hands lightly with water to prevent sticking.  
  • Scoop rice into your hands and shape it into a triangle or ball.  
  • Press gently to compact the rice.  
  • Place a nori strip diagonally on a flat surface.  
  • Place the rice on the nori strip.  
  • Fold the corners of the nori over the rice and press gently to adhere.  
  • Lightly oil the inside of the onigiri mold to prevent sticking.  
  • Scoop rice into the mold, pressing gently to fill.  
  • Add filling if desired.  
  • Press down firmly to compact the rice.  
  • Lift the mold and wrap a nori strip diagonally around the onigiri.  
  • Fold the corners of the nori over the rice and press gently to adhere.
  • Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a flat surface.  
  • Place a nori strip diagonally on the plastic wrap.  
  • Scoop rice into your hands, shaping it into a triangle or ball.  
  • Place the rice on the nori strip.  
  • Fold the corners of the nori over the rice and wrap tightly with the plastic wrap.  
  • Twist the excess plastic wrap to secure.  
  • Tight Wrapping: Ensure the nori is tightly wrapped around the rice to prevent it from unraveling.  
  • Adjust Rice Amount: Adjust the amount of rice based on the size of your mold or your desired onigiri size.  
  • Practice: Practice shaping and wrapping onigiri to achieve the perfect shape and seal.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 onigiri Calories 75kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 2g (3%) Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 251mg (10%) Potassium 64mg (1%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 serves (makes about 20 rice balls)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 75

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 onigiri
Calories 75kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 2g 3%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 251mg 10%
Potassium 64mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.