The Best Sticky Brown Rice Recipe! (2024)

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5 from 3 votes

1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

by Marly

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Enjoy the perfect sticky brown rice every time! This easy-to-follow and delicious recipe will have your whole family coming back for seconds. Try it out today and experience the beauty of sticky brown rice with sushi, stir-fries, and more!

The Best Sticky Brown Rice Recipe! (1)

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Sticky rice is a popular dish in many cultures across the world, but it can seem challenging to the home cook. That’s because it requires soaking, water ratios, and precise cooking times.

I stumbled upon an easy way to make it, and I’m happy to share it with you today!

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What is Sticky Brown Rice?

Sticky rice is a type of short-grain rice that is commonly used in Asian cuisine and regional dishes. It is instrumental in sushi because it holds its shape in sushi rolls.

It’s not as easy to achieve sticky brown rice because the bran layer is a natural barrier with the starch required to make the rice sticky.

However, it is possible to achieve sweet sticky brown rice for sushi or whatever dish you make. Characterized by its distinct, chewy texture and light sweetness, sticky brown rice is great to serve with savory stews, plant-based chili, chickpea curries, and stir-fries.

It is usually served as a “base” for dishes, but brown sticky rice can also be used as a side dish. It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture that adds depth and texture to any meal.

Its nutritional benefits (see below) make it an excellent choice if you’re looking to include more healthy ingredients on your plate.

Here’s another option if you prefer non-sticky brown rice.

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

  • Brown Rice — I prefer using short-grain brown rice, but it can be tricky to find. Most health food stores have it, and Asian markets should also have it. You can substitute long-grain brown rice.
  • Rice Vinegar — We’ll use rice vinegar to add some umami flavor. You can substitute white wine vinegar.
  • Sugar — I use a bit of granulated sugar, but you can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.
  • Salt — We’ll add just a pinch of salt for flavor.
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How to Make Sticky Brown Rice

  1. Place rice in a bowl of water and stir with your fingers to release starches.
  2. Use a colander to drain the water.
  3. Place rinsed rice in a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil.
  4. Simmer with a lid on for 45 minutes.
  5. Allow the cooked rice to rest for 15 minutes.
  6. Mix the sauce and pour it over the cooked rice. Stir to ensure the rice is coated.
  7. Cover with a wet kitchen towel and let it sit until you’re ready to serve.

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • HEALTHY — Add a nutrition boost with this healthy brown rice version of sticky rice
  • EASY — Most of the cooking time is hands-off, making this an easy recipe with only 6 steps!
  • FLAVORFUL — Brown rice adds a distinctive flavor to your favorite dishes!

Frequently-Asked Questions

Can you freeze sticky rice?

You can freeze sticky rice by letting it cool completely. Then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost, transfer it to the fridge overnight. Then you’re ready to heat and serve.

Is brown basmati rice sticky?

Basmati rice is a long-grain rice that is less sticky than short-grain and white rice. However, with the right cooking tips and ingredients, you can make basmati brown rice sticky.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
I made sushi with brown rice thanks to this recipe. It worked great!

Jo

Serving Suggestions

Serve brown sticky rice as a side dish with a sprinkle of lime juice and a few herbs, like chopped parsley or cilantro. Alternatively, you can serve it with any of the following tasty dishes:

  • Tofu Stir Fry
  • Vegan Fried Rice (Let your sticky rice get chilled in the fridge overnight first)
  • Orange Tofu
  • Vegan Bulgogi is great served over rice
  • This Vegan Katsu Curry dish pairs perfectly with brown rice.
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Storage Tips

Let the rice cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

The Benefits of Sticky Brown Rice

Sticky brown rice is an enjoyable and tasty addition to your meals. However, it also offers a range of health benefits.

You can make every bite count by using brown rice instead of white rice. Brown rice delivers essential vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy and energized. It’s also packed with fiber and antioxidants that can aid in digestion, reduce cholesterol, and prevent certain chronic diseases. [Source]

This makes sticky brown rice an excellent choice when you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying your favorite meals.

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More Rice Recipes

If you love this sticky brown rice recipe, here are more favorite rice recipes to try:

Vegan Red Beans and Rice

90 mins total

Vegan Jambalaya

40 mins total

Tofu Casserole with Cheesy Rice

95 mins total

Now that you know how to make the perfect sticky brown rice, it’s time to get cooking! Be sure to share your favorite recipes or photos of your creations in the comment section below.

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Sticky Brown Rice

This foolproof recipe will show you how to make perfect sticky brown rice every time with just a few simple steps. Cooking has never been easier! Try this quick and easy recipe today! This is the perfect rice to use with your next plant-base sushi.

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 68kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar substitute maple syrup or agave nectar
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Place 1 cup of uncooked brown rice in a bowl. Cover with water and let sit for a minute. Use a spoon (or your finger) to stir the rice up a bit to release the starch.

  • You'll see the water turn a milky color. Use a colander to drain the water.

  • Add two cups of water to a medium-sized saucepan. Add the rinsed rice. Place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.

  • Reduce heat to simmer and place a lid on the pot. Set your timer for 45 minutes.

  • After the time is up, remove the lid and stir once to make sure there is no more liquid at the bottom of the pan. If so, let it cook another 5 minutes. If not, remove from heat and allow the cooked rice to rest for 15 minutes.

  • Mix vinegar, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Stir to dissolve the sugar. When the rice has set for 10 to 15 minutes, pour the vinegar mixture over the rice and stir so all the rice is coated. Cover with a wet kitchen towel and let it sit until you're ready to serve.

Recommended Equipment

Medium Saucepan

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

You can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil to the pot with the cooking rice to help prevent stickiness.

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

The Best Sticky Brown Rice Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to sticky rice? ›

The key to sticky rice is to not rinse the rice — this washes away the starch dust that allows the rice to clump. Soak the sticky rice for in enough water to cover the rice. This softens the grain and the extra water helps add that fluffy texture. Soaking for 4-24 hours is a good range.

Is there such a thing as brown sticky rice? ›

It is usually served as a “base” for dishes, but brown sticky rice can also be used as a side dish. It has a nutty flavor and chewy texture that adds depth and texture to any meal. Its nutritional benefits (see below) make it an excellent choice if you're looking to include more healthy ingredients on your plate.

Is brown rice supposed to be sticky? ›

In Japan, she told me, people often prefer brown rice a good bit softer and stickier, while Americans tend to prefer a much firmer grain. If you, too, want a firmer grain with dinner, the trick then is to cook brown rice on the white rice setting.

How do you make rice more sticky? ›

The steam from the water will help to moisten the rice and make it sticky again. Reheat with oil: Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the leftover rice and stir-fry it for a few minutes. The oil will help to coat the grains of rice and make them stick together, resulting in sticky rice.

What rice makes the best sticky rice? ›

Glutinous rice is essential to Asian desserts from Japanese mochi to Thai mango sticky rice, and its unique starch content requires a different cooking process than that of other types of rice.

How long do you soak rice for sticky rice? ›

Put rice in a bowl and rinse several times in cold water until water is clear, not milky, then drain. Cover rice with cold water and let soak for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Drain rice using a fine-meshed sieve or colander (line with cheesecloth if colander holes are too large).

Is brown rice or sticky rice healthier? ›

Nutritional Content: Brown rice is more nutritious than white rice because it retains the bran and germ, which are rich in essential nutrients. It contains higher levels of fiber, vitamins (such as B vitamins), minerals (such as magnesium, pho.

What is sticky rice called in the grocery store? ›

Sticky rice is also known as glutinous rice and is widely popular among many Asian cuisines.

What rice is closest to sticky rice? ›

If you can't find sticky rice anywhere, try searching for "sweet rice," or "glutinous rice." They are the same thing. Try using another short-grain rice or risotto rice. Both will have a stickier texture once cooked (compared to medium and long-grained rice).

What makes brown rice gummy? ›

First, rinse the rice.

This step is essential for removing excess starches on the outside of the rice. If they're not washed away, they will cause the rice to clump and become gummy as it cooks. Our goal is to make perfectly fluffy brown rice, so don't skip this step!

How do you keep brown rice from getting chewy? ›

Lower heat to simmer and cook for 20 min 2-3min into the cooking I stir again, just to be sure nothing is stuck to the bottom. At the end of 20 min stir the pot of rice with a fork to fluff the rice and return the cover for a few min. It should be fluffy individual grains of rice.

Why is my brown rice still hard after cooking? ›

If the heat is too high, the water evaporates before the rice has a chance to fully cook. If you don't add enough water, the rice ends up dry and crunchy. And if you don't cook the rice long enough, it gets soft on the outside but doesn't cook through.

Does adding salt to rice make it sticky? ›

Any cooking show fan knows that salting your pasta water is a cardinal rule of most celebrity chefs. The same goes for rice—not only does salt impart flavor, but it keeps the rice grains from sticking together in unsavory clumps.

Does more water make sticky rice? ›

While you can make rice sticky by overcooking it with too much water, that's not actually how to make sticky rice. It's not even how to make sticky rice for sushi, which is an entirely different type of rice.

Does too much water make rice sticky? ›

If your rice has absorbed too much liquid, the grains may have split and the starches may have given the rice a soft, gluey consistency. One way to fix that? Add even more liquid. Pour in some milk, a dash of vanilla, and spoonful of sugar, and suddenly your mushy rice is a rich rice pudding.

What holds sticky rice together? ›

Starch is what causes rice to become sticky and clump together. If you cannot bear to eat rice without washing it, then rinse it once or twice—but don't rinse so much that the water runs clear. You still want some of that starch left.

How do you make rice fluffy and not sticky Reddit? ›

Rinse your rice, that'll remove excess starch. Place it all in the pan with your water, bring it to a boil then IMMEDIATELY drop the temp to a low temp/ simmer and cover it for about 20min. Do not stir, don't open the lid. Turn off the heat, let it sit a few minutes, then you can fluff it with a fork.

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