I first tasted sweet rice in Bangkok. It was 2003. I was backpacking through Thailand. A street vendor changed my life. One bite of sticky rice with mango was all it took. The flavors were perfect. The texture was divine. I knew I had to master this recipe.
Sweet rice connects people across Asia. It appears at celebrations, It brings families together. It marks special occasions. The recipe travels across borders. Each culture adds its own twist. The base remains the same.
These recipes adapt easily. You can use mango. You might prefer red bean. Local fruits work well too. The techniques are simple. The ingredients are accessible. Today I’ll share my tested recipe. You’ll create authentic flavors at home.
Table of Content
What Is Sweet Rice Recipe and Why Should You Make It
Sweet rice isn’t actually sweet. It’s glutinous rice. It’s sticky when cooked. The name « glutinous » is misleading. It contains no gluten. It’s safe for everyone. This rice holds together when cooked. It absorbs flavors beautifully.
Asian cultures cherish this dessert. Thailand serves it during Songkran. Laos features it at festivals. Vietnam includes it in celebrations. It symbolizes unity. It represents prosperity.
Sweet rice offers health benefits. It provides slow-release energy, won’t cause sugar crashes. It satisfies without overwhelming. It’s a mindful dessert option.
You can make this at home easily, It costs less than restaurant versions. You control the sweetness, choose the toppings, decide the flavors. The possibilities are endless.
Sweet Rice Recipe Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Rice
- Glutinous rice (also labeled sweet rice or sticky rice)
- Not regular jasmine or basmati rice
- Available at Asian markets
- Sometimes found in international aisles
Sweeteners
- Palm sugar (traditional option)
- Brown sugar (good substitute)
- Honey (adds complexity)
- Less sweet than Western desserts
Liquid
- Full-fat coconut milk
- No gums or stabilizers
- Should contain only coconut extract and water
- Quality matters here
Fruit
- Ataulfo mangoes (preferred)
- Also called champagne or yellow mangoes
- Should yield slightly to pressure
- Sweet fragrance near stem
Additional items
- Pinch of salt
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Coconut flakes (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
How to Make Quick and Easy Sweet Rice Recipe at Home
Preparation Steps
- Rinse rice until water runs clear
- Soak rice for 4+ hours (chemistry, not just tradition)
- Drain thoroughly before cooking
- Choose your cooking method
Cooking Methods
- Traditional bamboo steamer (most authentic)
- Rice cooker with « sticky rice » setting (convenient)
- Stovetop steaming method (accessible)
- Instant Pot option (fastest)
Making Coconut Sauce
- Warm 1 cup coconut milk in saucepan
- Add ⅓ cup palm sugar or brown sugar
- Include ¼ teaspoon salt
- Stir until sugar dissolves
- Remove from heat when spoon-coating consistency
Creating Drizzling Cream
- Reserve ½ cup coconut milk
- Add 1 tablespoon sugar
- Add pinch of salt
- Simmer until slightly thickened
- Cool slightly before using
Assembly Process
- Fold coconut mixture into hot rice
- Let absorb for 15-20 minutes
- Cut mangoes alongside the pit
- Score flesh in grid pattern
- Invert skin to create cubes
- Portion rice onto plates
- Arrange mango alongside
- Drizzle with coconut cream
- Add optional garnishes
Creative Ways to Use Sweet Rice Recipe in Recipes
- Sweet rice with fresh berries
- Autumn: poached pears with star anise. Summer: stone fruits (nectarines or peaches), Winter: citrus segments and honey, Spring: strawberries and mint
- Rice with butter and sugar
Tips for Sweet Rice Success
The most common pitfall is undersoaking your rice, resulting in unevenly cooked grains with hard centers. When in doubt, soak longer rather than shorter. If time constraints prevent proper soaking, increasing cooking time helps, though texture may vary slightly.
For entertaining, prepare components separately up to a day ahead. The rice can be cooked and stored unadorned, while coconut sauce keeps well refrigerated. Simply rewarm both separately (rice benefits from a quick steam or microwave with a damp paper towel covering), then combine just before serving.
Finding the perfect mango requires patience—they should yield gently to pressure and emit a sweet fragrance near the stem. If your mangoes arrive underripe, place them in a paper bag with a banana for 1-2 days to accelerate ripening through natural ethylene gas.
Remember that authentic versions maintain distinct flavor layers rather than excessive sweetness. Start with less sugar than you think necessary—you can always add more, but you can’t remove it once incorporated.
Storage and Shelf Life
Properly cooled sweet rice will keep refrigerated for up to three days, though texture is best within the first 24 hours. Store rice separately from fruits and coconut drizzle to prevent sogginess.
When reheating, sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice before microwaving covered with a damp paper towel. This reintroduces moisture lost during refrigeration. Alternatively, steaming for 5-10 minutes rejuvenates texture beautifully.
While freezing isn’t ideal for maintaining the perfect consistency, individual portions can be frozen for up to a month in airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
Nutrition Information
- 320 calories per serving
- 14g fat (mostly from coconut)
- 48g carbohydrates
- 4g protein
- 32g sugar
- 2g fiber
Other Rice Recipes
- Saffron Rice: How to Make This Golden Aromatic Side Dish
- Red Rice: An Easy Mexican-Inspired Side Dish
- Creamy Chicken And Rice: The Ultimate 45-Minute Comfort Meal
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Spicy Yellow Rice – Vibrant saffron-infused rice with a kick
Homemade sweet rice connects you to tradition. It honors culinary history, saves you money, tastes fresher, contains no preservatives, has less sugar. Offers better ingredient quality, allows customization. It impresses guests. It brings joy to cooking.
Seasons change our ingredients. Try blackberries in summer. Consider quince in winter. Experiment with local fruits. Each variation teaches something new. The basic technique remains the same. The possibilities grow with practice.
« How to Make Sweet Rice Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide »
Description
Master the perfect sweet sticky rice recipe with our step-by-step guide. Learn traditional techniques, ingredient tips, and creative variations beyond mango pairings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse rice in cold water until water runs clear. Soak in room temperature water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Drain rice well. If using a rice cooker, cook according to sticky rice settings. If steaming, place in a heat-safe bowl inside a larger pot with water below (not touching). Steam covered for 25-30 minutes until tender but still chewy.
- While rice cooks, warm 1 cup coconut milk with sugar and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat.
- In a separate small pan, warm remaining ½ cup coconut milk with 1 tablespoon sugar and a pinch of salt until slightly thickened to create drizzling cream. Set aside.
- When rice is cooked, transfer to a mixing bowl and pour two-thirds of the sweetened coconut milk over it. Gently fold to combine. Cover and let absorb for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare mangoes by slicing along each side of the pit. Score flesh in a grid pattern without cutting through skin, then invert to create cubes.
- Portion rice onto serving plates, arrange mango alongside, and drizzle with reserved coconut cream. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and mint if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute light coconut milk for full-fat in the rice mixture (keep full-fat for the drizzling cream).
Rice can be prepared up to one day ahead and gently reheated before serving.
In mango off-season, substitute ripe peaches, nectarines, or sweet berries.