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.

Why This Recipe is a Winner

  • 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.

How do you make rice more sticky? ›

Soak the rice: Soaking the rice for about 30 minutes before cooking can help make it stickier. After rinsing the rice, soak it in cold water for the specified time, then drain before cooking. Increase the water ratio: Use slightly more water than usual when cooking long grain rice.

What can you 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 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 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 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.

Can you make normal rice into sticky rice? ›

To make sticky rice using regular rice, let the rice soak in water for at least 30 minutes before you cook it, which will help make it stickier in the end. Then, add 2 parts water and 1 part rice to a large pot. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat.

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 rinsing rice make it more sticky? ›

"Even with a short grain like sticky rice, washing doesn't affect the much-desired stickiness," he says. The starch sitting inside the grain will come out during cooking, ultimately creating the sticky texture.

What sauce is good on brown rice? ›

With soy sauce – Plain brown rice, nutty and sweet, with a splash of soy sauce is a wonderful lunch.

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 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 adding vinegar to rice make it sticky? ›

Yes, adding vinegar to rice can help prevent the grains from sticking together. This is a common technique used in Japanese cuisine, particularly when making sushi rice. The vinegar not only adds flavor but also helps to break down the starches on the surface of the rice grains, making them less sticky.

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).

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.

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