How to Make Sticky Rice

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 4, 2021 References Tested

Sticky rice is that delightful concoction that can be found accompanying many Asian dishes, most often seen in Thai or Indonesian main courses. It's also known as sweet or glutinous rice. This specific kind of rice acquires a gluey texture after being cooked. It's the rice of the common people, and is usually eaten with bare hands. This article explains how to perfect it.

Prep time: 4 hours
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup Thai sweet rice (or glutinous rice); note that 1 cup of raw rice is considered enough to provide 2 servings
1 to 1 1/2 cups water
A rice steamer

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Glutinous Rice

1
Prepare the rice. Measure out the uncooked rice in a pot or steamer. If making more rice, be sure to leave room for an additional 1/2 to 1 cup of water per cup of rice.
2
Rinse the rice if needed. Rinsing or washing rice takes out nutrients as well as some of the starch components of the grains. However, it is optional for the taste. To wash, add water to the rice, rub the rice in your hands, drain the milky water, add new water, and repeat the process until the water is clear.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Whether or not rice requires washing will depend on where you live and where you have sourced the rice from. In most developed countries, rice does not require washing for the purposes of cleaning it.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Soak the rice. Add the water to the rice grains and leave it on the side to soak between 4 hours and overnight. The longer the rice is soaked, the more the texture will be.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Steam the rice. Drain the rice grains through a colander to get all of the water out. Use a Thai bamboo rice basket or a wire mesh rack over a steamer to cook the rice.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Wrap the rice in muslin, and steam on one side for 15 minutes. Turn the rice over, and cook for another 15 minutes. Do not overcook the rice or it will become mushy. It should be sticky, but not watery, and hold together well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Non-Glutinous Rice

Out of glutinous rice? Try this instead:

1
Prepare and rinse the rice as described above. You may want to leave room for an additional 1/2 cup of water per cup of rice, for example 2 cups of rice and 2 1/2 cups of water
- Alternately, pour light lemon squash over the rice instead of water as the sugar content of the squash combines with the starch content of the rice and gives an extra sticky finish.
2
Soak the rice with the measured water for 30 minutes.
3
Cook the rice. There are two methods in making this type of rice: using a pot, and using rice cooker.
- Rice cooker: Leave the water used to soak the rice in the cooker for about 15 to 30 minutes. Add a pinch of salt in the cooker and stir gently. Put the cooker on.
- Pot: Add the rice and about 1 to 1 1/2 cups more water than rice. Leave it to soak for 20 minutes to 4 hours.
- Add about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon of salt in the pot.
- Bring it to a boil and immediately lower the heat once it reaches to that point.
- Simmer the rice for about 10 minutes.
- Leave a cover lid on at an angle so some of the steam can escape (if there's no vent).
4
Check back on the rice—–if there is water left, simmer it for an additional 5 to 7 minutes more. If there's no water, the rice is ready.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Serving Sticky Rice

1
Choose a serving method that best complements the food you're serving. Some ideas include:
- Place a serving size into an equivalent sized serving bowl.
- Wrap in a banana leaf for an authentic serving approach.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
- Mold the sticky rice in a bowl or other shape, then upend it on the serving plate.
- Place in one large serving platter and have guests serve themselves with clean fingers (provide water bowls on the table to clean fingers after, as they'll be sticky too).

Community Q&A

Question

Do you add water to the glutinous rice to cook it, like with ordinary rice?

Kent Campbell

Community Answer

Yes. The best way is to find a covered microwave-safe container. I use Glad food storage containers. Pour 2 cups of boiling water, a tablespoon of butter, and a cup of rice into the container. Cover with the lid, but leave it open enough that steam pressure won't pop off the lid. Microwave to a boil, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then microwave it for one or two more minutes, and then let it sit another 10 minutes or more.
Question

Where does the rice wine, sugar and salt come in to play?

Community Answer

The vinegar is added when the rice is hot and just before it is tossed. Salt and sugar do not have to be added to the rice. These ingredients depend on your personal taste preferences.
Question

Is this the rice to use for sushi?

Kent Campbell

Community Answer

Yes, but it doesn't have to say sushi on the rice. Do not use basmati rice. It should be at least medium grain, but it's better if you can find short grain. Cook covered over low heat after initial boil using 1 part rice, 2 parts water.

Warnings

Do not add salt; this will prevent the grains from sticking together.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 34 Not Helpful 12
Caution: Steam is hot!

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 22 Not Helpful 13