Japanese Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls

Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls are a popular Japanese snack. They are filled with seasoned salmon, sushi rice, and then wrapped in nori. Here you will not only learn what they are, but also how you can make them perfectly right in your own home.

What is Onigiri?

Onigiri (おにぎり) means rice ball in Japanese. The name basically explains what it is. It’s rice shaped into a ball and then wrapped in nori seaweed.

The key thing to remember with Onigiri is to use Japanese short-grain white rice, for it to hold its shape.  

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Japanese Sushi Rice
• Salmon Filet
• Soy Sauce
• Unsalted Butter
• Green Onion
• Sesame Seeds
• Optional Nori Seaweed Sheet, and Furikake rice seasonings

How to Make Salmon Onigiri

1. Melt the butter in a skillet. Then add the salmon and fry until it’s cooked thoroughly and flakey.
2. Break up the salmon into small flakes with a wooden spatula.
3. Add in the soy sauce, mix with the salmon flakes and cook so that all of the liquid is gone. 
4. Turn off the heat and place the cooked salmon flakes in a large bowl. 
5. Add the cooked rice, white sesame seeds, and chopped spring onion to the bowl. Mix thoroughly.
6. Take a half cup of the rice and shape it into a rounded triangle.
7. Optional: wrap with nori seaweed strip and sprinkle with Furikake. Serve and enjoy!

How to Shape the Rice Ball 

There are a few ways that you can shape a rice ball: 

• With cold, wet hands
• Wrap with plastic wrap
• Use an onigiri mold

The method you choose is up to you, however, it is important to press the rice down firmly so that it can hold its shape. We also recommend that you use ingredients that aren’t too wet or greasy, otherwise, your rice balls may lose their shape. 

How to Store Salmon Onigiri

For the best texture, it’s best to eat onigiri as soon as possible. If you need to save them for later, make sure to wrap them in plastic wraps and seal them completely before storing them in the fridge. You can also store them in the freezer for up to one month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onigiri Raw Fish?

Onigiri is different than sushi or sashimi. It usually doesn’t use raw fish. The major ingredients are cooked salmon and sushi rice.

What’s the Best Rice for Onigiri?

To succeed at keeping your rice balls together, be sure to use Japanese white rice or sushi rice.

Is Onigiri the Same as Sushi?

No. Onigiri is made with cooked sushi rice and hen shaped into a triangle or disk shape. Sushi is made with vinegared rice and can be rolled into a cylinder or shaped into an oblong. 

Print Pin

Easy Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls Recipe

You may have never heard of Salmon Onigiri Rice Balls, and may even be wondering what they are! But, once you learn all about them, you’ll certainly wonder how you ever did without!

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 riceballs

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked sushi rice
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1 skinless salmon
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 green onion finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 2 sheets nori cut into thin strips

Instructions

• Heat up a frying pan over medium heat on the stove. Then add unsalted butter.
• After the butter is melted, add the salmon and fry until it’s cooked thoroughly and flakey.
• Break up the salmon into small flakes with a wooden spatula.
• Add in the soy sauce, mix with the salmon flakes and cook so that all of the liquid is gone.
• Turn off the heat and place the cooked salmon flakes in a large bowl.
• Add the cooked rice, white sesame seeds and chopped spring onion to the bowl.
• Mix thoroughly.
• Take a half cup of the rice and shape it into a rounded triangle. Optional: wrap with nori seaweed strip and sprinkle with Furikake. Serve and enjoy!