Thai sticky rice (khao niao) is about technique more than ingredients — the right rice, a long soak, and a steamer, and you get the chewy, glossy rice that makes Thai food at home feel real. Plan on soaking time, but the hands-on work is minutes.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Thai restaurant, you’ve likely encountered the wonderfully unique texture of sticky rice. It’s chewy, substantial, and utterly addictive! Known as *Khao Niao* in Thailand, this rice is more than just a side dish; it’s a staple, enjoyed like bread at almost every meal. The best part? This incredible, one-ingredient wonder is surprisingly simple to make at home. All it takes is the right kind of rice and a little bit of planning. Get ready to master a recipe that will transport your taste buds straight to Southeast Asia!
Ingredients
• Steamed Sticky Rice
• 1 1/2 cups / 300g (10.6 oz) Thai sticky rice (also called sweet or glutinous rice)
• Salt, freshly ground black pepper, or soy sauce, to serve
• Variation: Soy & Coconut Sticky Rice
• 1 cup / 240ml full-fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon / 15ml (0.5 fl oz) soy sauce
• Variation: Shallot & Peanut Sticky Rice
• 1/2 cup / 65g (2.29 oz) peanuts or shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup / 25g (0.88 oz) chopped shallot or scallion
• 1/4 cup / 15g (0.53 oz) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon / 15ml (0.5 fl oz) soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons / 10ml (0.3 fl oz) freshly squeezed lime juice
• Variation: Sticky Rice with Vegetable Filling
• 1 cup (240 ml) of your favorite vegetable filling (e.g., Stir-Fried Vegetables or Sautéed Mushrooms)
• Soy sauce, to taste
Instructions
1. How to Make Steamed Sticky Rice
2. Rinse the sticky rice in a bowl with cool water, swishing it around with your hands. Drain and repeat until the water runs mostly clear.
3. Cover the rinsed rice with plenty of fresh water and let it soak for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. The longer it soaks, the better the final texture.
4. Drain the rice thoroughly in a colander. Line a steamer basket with a large piece of damp cheesecloth, leaving enough overhang to fold over the top.
5. Place the drained rice in the center of the cheesecloth and fold the edges over to cover the rice completely, forming a neat parcel.
6. Set the steamer basket over a pot of boiling water, ensuring the water level is below the basket. Cover the pot and steam for 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender, translucent, and chewy.
7. Carefully remove the rice parcel. Serve immediately, seasoned with a sprinkle of salt and pepper or a drizzle of soy sauce.
8. For Soy & Coconut Sticky Rice
9. Once the sticky rice is cooked, transfer it to a bowl.
10. Pour the coconut milk and soy sauce over the hot rice and toss gently to combine.
11. Return the rice to the cheesecloth-lined steamer, rewrap, and steam for another 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve warm.
12. For Shallot & Peanut Sticky Rice
13. While the rice is steaming, toast the peanuts or coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. If using peanuts, give them a rough chop.
14. In a large bowl, combine the toasted peanuts/coconut, chopped shallot, cilantro, soy sauce, and lime juice.
15. Add the hot, freshly steamed sticky rice to the bowl and toss everything together until well combined.
16. For the best flavor, return the mixture to the steamer for 2-3 minutes to heat through before serving.
17. For Sticky Rice with Vegetable Filling
18. Once the rice is cooked, turn it out onto a clean surface or parchment paper. While it’s still warm, flatten it into a rectangle.
19. Spread about a cup of your desired filling (tossed with a little soy sauce) down the center of the rice rectangle.
20. Carefully fold the rice over the filling to enclose it, like a burrito.
21. Rewrap the filled rice in the cheesecloth and steam for another 5 minutes to heat everything through before serving.
Nutritional Information
• Per serving, for basic sticky rice. Does not include variations or added salt/soy sauce.
• Calories: 260 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 58g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 0.5g
• Sodium: 4mg
• Fiber: 2g
Pro Tips
• Pro-Tips for Perfect Sticky Rice
• Source the Right Rice: For authentic results, look specifically for bags labeled “Thai sticky rice,” “sweet rice,” or “glutinous rice” at Asian markets. Do not substitute with jasmine or sushi rice, as they will not produce the correct chewy texture.
• Don’t Skip the Soak: Soaking is a non-negotiable step. A minimum of one hour is required, but soaking the rice for 4 hours or even overnight yields a superior, more tender, and evenly cooked result.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can cook the rice in advance! Keep it tightly wrapped in the cheesecloth and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To serve, simply re-steam for 5-10 minutes until hot and soft again.
• Cheesecloth is Key: Using a damp cheesecloth to line the steamer is essential. It prevents the sticky grains from falling through the holes, ensures even steaming, and makes cleanup significantly easier.
FAQ
Q: Is this Thai sticky rice recipe vegan
A: Yes, the basic steamed sticky rice recipe is 100% vegan as it only contains rice and water. All the variations provided, such as the Soy & Coconut or Shallot & Peanut versions, are also vegan-friendly. Just ensure you are using a vegan soy sauce.
Q: What vegetarian protein can I serve with this sticky rice
A: Sticky rice is a fantastic base for a complete vegetarian meal. It pairs wonderfully with pan-fried tofu or tempeh, a rich vegetable curry with chickpeas or lentils, a spicy green papaya salad, or simply a side of edamame.
Q: Is glutinous rice gluten-free
A: Absolutely! The term ‘glutinous’ refers to the rice’s sticky, glue-like texture when cooked, not the presence of gluten. Thai sticky rice is naturally gluten-free. To keep the entire dish gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari in the variations.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftover sticky rice
A: To keep leftover sticky rice from getting hard, wrap it tightly in the cheesecloth or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The best way to reheat it is to re-steam it for 5-10 minutes until it’s hot, soft, and chewy again.
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How to Make Thai Sticky Rice (Khao Niao)
Ingredients
Method
- How to Make Steamed Sticky Rice
- Rinse the sticky rice in a bowl with cool water, swishing it around with your hands.
- Drain and repeat until the water runs mostly clear.
- Cover the rinsed rice with plenty of fresh water and let it soak for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. The longer it soaks, the better the final texture.
- Drain the rice thoroughly in a colander.
- Line a steamer basket with a large piece of damp cheesecloth, leaving enough overhang to fold over the top.
- Place the drained rice in the center of the cheesecloth and fold the edges over to cover the rice completely, forming a neat parcel.
- Set the steamer basket over a pot of boiling water, ensuring the water level is below the basket.
- Cover the pot and steam for 30 minutes, or until the rice is tender, translucent, and chewy.
- Carefully remove the rice parcel.
- Serve immediately, seasoned with a sprinkle of salt and pepper or a drizzle of soy sauce.
- For Soy & Coconut Sticky Rice
- Once the sticky rice is cooked, transfer it to a bowl.
- Pour the coconut milk and soy sauce over the hot rice and toss gently to combine.
- Return the rice to the cheesecloth-lined steamer, rewrap, and steam for another 3-5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve warm.
- For Shallot & Peanut Sticky Rice
- While the rice is steaming, toast the peanuts or coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. If using peanuts, give them a rough chop.
- In a large bowl, combine the toasted peanuts/coconut, chopped shallot, cilantro, soy sauce, and lime juice.
- Add the hot, freshly steamed sticky rice to the bowl and toss everything together until well combined.
- For the best flavor, return the mixture to the steamer for 2-3 minutes to heat through before serving.
- For Sticky Rice with Vegetable Filling
- Once the rice is cooked, turn it out onto a clean surface or parchment paper.
- While it's still warm, flatten it into a rectangle.
- Spread about a cup of your desired filling (tossed with a little soy sauce) down the center of the rice rectangle.
- Carefully fold the rice over the filling to enclose it, like a burrito.
- Rewrap the filled rice in the cheesecloth and steam for another 5 minutes to heat everything through before serving.
- Don't Skip the Soak: Soaking is a non-negotiable step. A minimum of one hour is required, but soaking the rice for 4 hours or even overnight yields a superior, more tender, and evenly cooked result.
