Coconut Sticky Rice – An Easy and Delicious Side Dish

This coconut sticky rice has only two ingredients and is super easy to make! This recipe is super yummy and versatile – it goes great with many main dishes. Learn to make this recipe yourself with step-by-step instructions below.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This coconut sticky rice recipe:

• is quick and easy to make
• doesn’t include complicated instructions or hard-to-find ingredients
• is free from the most common food allergens

Coconut Sticky Rice Ingredients

• Sticky rice: more commonly called glutinous rice.
• Canned coconut milk: it’s important to use full-fat coconut milk and not lite coconut milk (which won’t be as creamy).

Substitutions and Variations

• Rice – you can use other kinds of rice like jasmine rice, sushi rice, white rice, or Arborio rice (but the texture will be different).
• Mix-ins – try adding coconut aminos/soy sauce, butter, fresh herbs/spices, or toasted sesame oil.
• Toppings – you can garnish with toasted sesame seeds, mung beans, green onions, and/or a pinch of salt.

How to Make Coconut Sticky Rice

In the microwave

1. Add the rice and coconut milk to your microwave rice cooker (for example, a Pampered Chef rice cooker). Stir well.
2. Microwave on high for about 12 minutes.
3. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

In a countertop rice cooker

1. Add the rice and coconut milk to your rice cooker. Stir.
2. Turn the rice cooker on.
3. When the rice is finished, fluff it with a rice scoop or fork.

Serving Suggestions

This coconut sticky rice goes great with dishes like:

• Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
• Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
• Korean Beef Bowls
• Mango Cashew Chicken
• Gluten-Free Chicken Balls & Garlic Broccoli

Recipe Tips

• If you use glutinous (or Arborio) rice, you may want to rinse it with cold water before cooking so the rice doesn’t end up “squishy” from the extra starch.
• Make sure you use canned coconut milk NOT the regular coconut milk you would drink. Also, make sure to avoid condensed coconut milk because it would make the rice sweet and thick.
• If you use a microwave rice cooker you may have to adjust the cooking time because microwaves’ strength can vary with brand, age/usage, etc.

Storing and Reheating

• Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.
• Reheating: reheat in the microwave for 30-90 seconds (depending on the strength of your microwave). If your rice dries out in the fridge, add some water before reheating.

Dietary Considerations

This recipe is great for those dear friends who seem to be allergic to everything. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, and soy-free! 

FAQ

How hard is coconut sticky rice to make?

This coconut sticky rice recipe is super easy to make! It has only three steps and uses only two ingredients. All you have to do is mix the ingredients and turn on your microwave or rice cooker!

What rice should I use for coconut sticky rice?

I often end up using jasmine rice because glutinous rice has corn, which I usually don’t eat. But a traditional sticky rice recipe uses glutinous rice. You can use whatever rice you want but I would recommend using glutinous rice for the most accurate/traditional results!

What does coconut sticky rice taste like?

This coconut sticky rice recipe is creamy, savory, and (of course!) a little coconut-y! This recipe is served alongside main dishes like curry and stir fry and shouldn’t be mixed up with the Thai mango coconut sticky rice which is a dessert.

What makes coconut rice “sticky”?

Rather than the added ingredients or method of cooking, the rice itself (glutinous rice) makes coconut rice “sticky.” 

How do I wash my rice cooker?

I would recommend filling your rice cooker with water immediately after scooping the rice out. This will help prevent the rice from sticking to the cooker. If you still end up with extra stuck rice, soak the cooker for a couple of hours. When the rice is unstuck, wash the cooker with warm water, soap, and a washcloth. You can also use a dish scrubber if necessary!

Continue to Content

Coconut Sticky Rice

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 14 minutes

This coconut sticky rice is super simple to make - and crazy delicious as a side with several dishes!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 3 cups coconut milk

Instructions

In the microwave

1. Add the rice and coconut milk to your microwave rice cooker (for example, a Pampered Chef rice cooker). Stir well.
2. Microwave on high for about 12 minutes.
3. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

In a countertop rice cooker

1. Add the rice and coconut milk to your rice cooker. Stir.
2. Turn the rice cooker on.
3. When the rice is finished, fluff it with a rice scoop or fork.

Notes

Adjust microwave cooking times based on the amount of rice you're making and your microwave strength.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 218Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily via Nutrifox.

Did you make this recipe?

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Does your family have any dinner staples? Any favorite side dishes?