Sugar-Free Classic Japanese Onigiri
Experience the simple elegance of traditional Japanese cuisine with our **Sugar-Free Classic Japanese Onigiri** recipe. Perfectly seasoned with just a touch of sea salt, this wholesome dish highlights the natural flavor of tender Japanese short-grain rice. Each onigiri is filled with the tangy zest of umeboshi (pickled plum) and beautifully wrapped in umami-rich nori, creating a delightful balance of textures and tastes. With no added sugar and minimal ingredients, this guilt-free snack is both nutritious and satisfying—a fantastic option for picnics, lunchboxes, or light meals. Easily customizable with your favorite fillings, this iconic Japanese rice ball is ready in under 40 minutes and will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Tokyo!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Japanese short-grain rice
- 1 teaspoon Sea salt
- 2.5 cups Water
- 2 sheets Nori (seaweed) sheets
- 4 pieces Umeboshi (pickled plum)
Instructions
Rinse the rice under cold water several times until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
Place the rinsed rice in a pot, add 2.5 cups of water, and let it soak for 30 minutes.
After soaking, bring the rice to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes to let the rice steam.
Meanwhile, cut the nori sheets into long strips or squares large enough to cover the bottom of the onigiri.
Once the rice is done, stir in the sea salt and gently mix the rice to evenly distribute the seasoning.
With damp hands to prevent sticking, take about a quarter of the rice and form it into a ball around one piece of umeboshi. Shape it into a triangle or your desired shape.
Wrap each onigiri with a strip or piece of nori, ensuring that part of the nori sticks to the rice to secure it.
Repeat the process with the remaining rice and umeboshi, making a total of four onigiri.
Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap to keep for later.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 1.4 g | 2% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4 g | 2% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5881 mg | 256% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 125.2 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 12.1 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 89 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 363 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
