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!

Table of Contents show

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 thing as brown sticky rice? ›

Yes, there is sticky brown rice.

What can I add to brown rice to make it taste better? ›

Build flavors early on!

We love sauteeing some onions or leeks in butter with some thyme before adding rice to the pot, but you should use what you have around! Ginger and garlic both make for exceptional brown rice. If you're going the spice route we love turmeric, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika with brown rice.

What kind of rice makes the best sticky rice? ›

My preferred way to cook it is using a rice steamer. As others have said, Sticky Rice is made with glutinous rice. The ideal way to prepare it is to rinse it well, and then soak it in water overnight, although if you are pushed for time, soaking it for a couple of hours acceptable.

Do you rinse rice for sticky rice? ›

For the best texture, all types of sticky rice should be rinsed, then soaked before cooking: Rinsing helps remove dirt and dust from processing and shipping, while soaking brings some starches to the surface that give sticky rice it's desired texture.

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.

How do you make leftover brown rice sticky? ›

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.

Is brown sticky rice good for you? ›

Brown rice has 4 times more magnesium than white rice. This mineral is crucial for heart, bone, muscle and brain health. Unfortunately, over 50% of Americans are magnesium deficient. Brown rice is also a good source of thiamine, zinc and iron.

Should I add butter to brown rice? ›

Add extra seasoning: cooking brown rice with salt is essential for flavorful grains, but you can also infuse more flavor by adding olive oil and butter, swapping in garlic salt, or adding spices such as cayenne, ground ginger or cumin.

Why should you rinse brown rice before cooking? ›

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!

Why brown rice should be soaked before cooking? ›

Soaking is optional, but we recommend it! Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally-occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Add rice to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (1 cup rice + 2-3 cups water).

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 sticky rice do Koreans use? ›

Mepssal, or uncooked short grain rice, is the kind of rice Koreans use for all their meals. It's also called “sushi rice” in Western grocery stores. It's stickier than long grain rice, and can be found in all Asian grocery stores.

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.

Why is my sticky rice not sticky? ›

Long-grain rice doesn't work as it isn't starchy enough. You need the proper kind of rice with short plump grains so it will leak starch and that will make it sticky. Then you have to cook it the right way with not too much water, so you don't pour the starch away with the excess water.

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. Keep reading to learn the basics and beyond.

Why do you need to soak sticky rice? ›

Soaking the rice before steaming ensures that it cooks evenly. Rinsing the rice of excess starch keeps it from over-clumping into a solid mass. Steaming the rice in a cheesecloth parcel allows you to adapt the recipe to whatever steamer setup you have in your kitchen.

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

I use a 1:2 ratio of rice to water. I rinse my rice at least 4 times before adding it to a pot with the water, a dash of salt, and some fat. I bring it to a boil and let cook, covered, for 20 mins. At the beginning I swirl the pot but then I let it rest once the rice starts getting thicker.

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