Description
Learn how to make perfectly sticky rice using either the stovetop steaming method or an Instant Pot. This recipe guides you through soaking glutinous rice and steaming it to achieve tender, chewy grains that stick wonderfully, perfect for serving alongside Asian dishes or enjoying on their own.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 2 cups glutinous or “sweet” rice
Water
- Water for soaking and steaming (amount varies by method)
Instructions
- Soak the rice: Measure 2 cups of glutinous rice into a bowl and cover with water by a few inches. Soak the rice for 4 to 10 hours to properly hydrate the grains prior to cooking.
- Prepare the stovetop setup: If cooking on the stovetop, place a colander inside a Dutch oven or large pot with a lid. The lid can sit slightly ajar or have a small gap above the colander to allow steam to circulate.
- Add water for steaming: Pour water into the pot so it reaches just below the bottom of the colander without touching the rice.
- Drain and place the soaked rice: Drain the soaked rice into the colander and place the colander inside the pot.
- Heat to simmer: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the water to a simmer.
- Steam the rice: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. Steam the rice, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Flip the rice: Using a large spatula, carefully flip the rice like a pancake to ensure even cooking.
- Continue steaming: Put the lid back on and steam for an additional 10 to 20 minutes, checking towards the end for doneness. The rice grains should be separate yet stick together when pressed.
- Rest before serving: Remove the pot from heat but keep the lid on until ready to serve. Serve the rice warm within 15 minutes.
- Prepare Instant Pot: Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot bowl.
- Set up the colander: Use a pressure cooker-safe colander that fits inside the Instant Pot. Drain the soaked rice into it.
- Position rice above water: Place the colander with rice inside the Instant Pot, ensuring water does not touch rice. Use a rack if necessary.
- Cook under pressure: Close and lock the lid. Set to pressure cook/manual on high for 12 minutes.
- Release pressure: Allow for natural pressure release for 12 minutes, then manually release remaining pressure.
- Keep warm: Unlock the lid but keep it slightly ajar until ready to serve. Serve warm within 15 minutes.
Notes
- Use glutinous or sweet rice specifically, as regular rice will not achieve the sticky texture.
- Soaking the rice for at least 4 hours is important for optimal texture.
- Keep the rice warm but covered to prevent drying out before serving.
- When using the Instant Pot, ensure the colander is safe for pressure cooking and does not allow water to contact the rice directly.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes stovetop or 12 minutes Instant Pot (+12 minutes natural pressure release)
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked sticky rice
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: sticky rice, glutinous rice, sweet rice, how to make sticky rice, steamed rice, Asian side dish, Instant Pot sticky rice
