What can I use instead of Arborio rice?

Carnaroli rice: 1 cup. Japanese short-grain rice: 1 cup.

What changes when you substitute Arborio rice?

Holds its bite better. Creamier, less distinct grain.

Substitute for Arborio rice

What it does in a recipe: Starchy Italian rice that creates risotto's creamy sauce from its own starch.

2 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Carnaroli rice

per 1 cup arborio

US1 cup

Metric185 g

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

The chef's choice — even more forgiving.

What changes: Holds its bite better

Japanese short-grain rice

per 1 cup arborio

US1 cup

Metric185 g

CommonBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Releases starch for a creamier, softer risotto.

What changes: Creamier, less distinct grain

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Arborio rice?: Carnaroli rice: 1 cup. Japanese short-grain rice: 1 cup.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Arborio rice?: Carnaroli rice (per 1 cup arborio) — US: 1 cup. Metric: 185 g.
What changes when you substitute Arborio rice?: Holds its bite better. Creamier, less distinct grain.

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