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Follow these easy steps to make the perfect Sticky Rice every time. Simple seasoning and a delicious side to all your Asian Recipes.

A bowl of sticky rice placed on a round wooden cutting board. The setup includes black pepper and salt shakers, a few forks, a wooden spoon, and a striped cloth napkin on a speckled countertop.
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Making Sticky Rice is easy with these simple steps. We love adding rice to many of our Main Dish Recipes because of how easy it is to make and it is a budget friendly side dish.

If you have made our Yellow Rice, Lemon Rice, Jasmine Rice Recipe, Basmati Rice Recipe and Garlic Butter Rice then you know this sticky rice recipe will be just as easy and delicious.

What is Sticky Rice?

Sticky Rice is made into a savory and dessert recipes. It is sticky because the starch has been removed from the rice. The process of cooking sticky rice takes a little longer than normal white rice recipe.

You will soak the rice for at least 4 hours. You can even cook the rice the next day and allow the rice to soak over night.

Ingredients

A top-view image displays ingredients in various bowls and measuring cups on a speckled countertop. Visible are chicken broth, butter, Arborio rice, sticky rice, white wine, salt, and olive oil. The items are neatly arranged and ready for cooking.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Sticky Rice

A steel colander filled with rinsed, uncooked sticky rice sits on a marble countertop. Surrounding it are small bowls containing butter, broth, and another liquid ingredient. A dark patterned cloth is partially visible at the bottom of the image.

Step 1 – Rinse the rice until water runs clear in a fine-mesh sieve or a colander, then soak for 4-6 hours.

A pot on a grey-speckled countertop contains bubbling yellow liquid with a small pad of butter melting on top of sticky rice. The pot has a black handle, and there is a black and white striped cloth partially visible beneath it.

Step 2 – Drain the rice and add to a pot with the chicken broth, butter, sesame oil, and salt.

A pot with a glass lid containing boiling sticky rice is placed on a gray countertop. Steam is visible on the lid. The pot has black handles, and a striped black and white kitchen towel is partially wrapped around its base.

Step 3 – Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

A stainless steel pot filled with sticky rice is placed on a gray speckled countertop. A silver fork is sticking out of the rice. The pot rests on a black and white striped cloth.

Step 4 – Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Expert Tips

  • Don’t skip the soaking – This step is crucial for achieving the right texture in sticky rice. It ensures that the rice grains are fully hydrated.
  • Soaking Rice – You can soak the rice for a shorter period like 1-2 hours if you’re short on time, but the texture might not be as ideal. The rice may be slightly less sticky and cohesive.
  • Adjust Cooking Time – If soaking for less time, you might need to adjust the cooking time and keep an eye on the texture
  • Cooking with Rice Cooker – If you have a rice cooker, you can use it instead of the stovetop method. Just use the same rice-to-water ratio.
Top view of three small bowls filled with cooked sticky rice placed on a wooden board. Two forks are nearby, along with a textured black and white cloth. Part of a larger bowl with more rice is visible in the corner.

Serving Suggestions

Sticky Rice is delicious served with all your Asian Recipes. This white rice is a staple side dish that we love to serve with Easy Crockpot Pepper Beef Steak Recipe, Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

We have even made this small grains of rice with the addition of vegetables. For added flavor mix in minced garlic, carrots, slice mushrooms and diced tomatoes. When serving top with fresh cilantro, fresh jalapeños, peanuts and green onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Rice Makes Sticky Rice?

You will need to make this recipe with short grain rice, glutinous rice.

How do you Know When Sticky Rice is Finished Cooking?

Cooking time will vary, but the rice will take about 15 minutes to cook and the water has been absorbed. You will be able to flake the rice with a fork and it should be tender.

How to Store Leftover Sticky Rice

Refrigerate any leftover rice in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

A wooden spoon holds a serving of fluffy, sticky rice above a bowl filled with more rice. The bowl rests on a wooden cutting board, and in the blurred background, black salt and pepper shakers stand. A striped cloth is partially visible in the corner.

More Easy Rice Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Sticky Rice Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

A wooden spoon holding a portion of sticky rice is positioned above a dark bowl filled with more rice. The background includes a white brick wall and assorted kitchen items, slightly out of focus.

Sticky Rice

5 from 2 votes
Follow these easy steps to make the perfect Sticky Rice every time. Simple seasoning and a delicious side to all your Asian Recipes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Soaking Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Japanese
Course Side Dish
Calories 384

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Rinse the rice until water runs clear, then soak for 4-6 hours.
  • Drain the rice and add to a pot with the chicken broth, butter, sesame oil, and salt.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
  • Fluff with a fork and serve.

Recipe Notes

Don’t skip the soaking: This step is crucial for achieving the right texture in sticky rice.
It ensures that the rice grains are fully hydrated. You can soak the rice for a shorter period like 1-2 hours if you’re short on time, but the texture might not be as ideal. The rice may be slightly less sticky and cohesive.
If soaking for less time, you might need to adjust the cooking time and keep an eye on the texture
If you have a rice cooker, you can use it instead of the stovetop method. Just use the same rice-to-water ratio.
Refrigerate any leftover rice in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 384kcal, Carbohydrates 76g, Protein 7g, Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 0.1g, Cholesterol 10mg, Sodium 665mg, Potassium 96mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 90IU, Calcium 16mg, Iron 2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 2 votes

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Comments

  1. Tammy says:

    5 stars
    Your the best. I don’t know how many times you saved me for dinner. Keep them coming!!!

  2. Casey says:

    5 stars
    Delicious and easy to make!