Go Back
–+ servings
Served shrimp onigiri with garnish
Callie Brooks

Onigiri Shrimp Recipe: Easy Japanese Rice Balls with a Seafood Twist

A simple and savory onigiri shrimp recipe that combines seasoned short-grain rice with tender shrimp for a delicious Japanese snack or light meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 160
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup short-grain Japanese rice
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp sugar
  • 6 medium shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp mirin
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • 2 sheets roasted nori cut into strips
  • Optional: sesame seeds or furikake for rolling

Method
 

  1. 1. Rinse rice until water runs clear, then cook with 1¼ cups water.
  2. 2. While rice cooks, season shrimp with soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil; sauté for 3–4 minutes.
  3. 3. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt into the cooked rice.
  4. 4. Wet your hands, scoop some rice, and press a dent in the middle.
  5. 5. Place a piece of shrimp inside and cover with more rice.
  6. 6. Shape gently into triangle or ball form.
  7. 7. Wrap with nori and serve fresh or store properly.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 8gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

Keep nori separate until serving to prevent sogginess.
For spicy versions, mix shrimp with a dash of Sriracha and mayo before stuffing.
Best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!