Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp
Traditional rice balls made with perfectly cooked rice and savory shrimp, wrapped in nori for a portable, authentic snack. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 45 minutes pairs short-grain rice, water, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 2.25 cups water
- 4 oz shrimp
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 sheets nori sheets
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 2 cups short-grain rice under cold water until water runs clear, then combine with 2.25 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until water is absorbed. Let rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a rice paddle.
- Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 4 oz peeled shrimp with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, and 1 tsp sesame oil for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque; set aside to cool.
- Step 3: Place a sheet of nori on a clean surface, then shape 1/3 cup warm rice into a triangle or oval. Press 1/4 of the cooled shrimp mixture into the center of the rice, then wrap the rice tightly around it, sealing the edges.
- Step 4: Place wrapped onigiri on a plate, sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds, and wrap the nori sheet around the rice ball's center to secure it. Repeat with remaining rice and shrimp.
- Step 5: Serve immediately or wrap in parchment paper for an on-the-go meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep short-grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Japanese Onigiri with Shrimp?
Japanese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
