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Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Quick-Cooking Sticky Rice: No Overnight Soaking Required – Fluffy, Fragrant, and Nutritious

13 April, 2025

Sticky rice is a familiar dish in Vietnam, especially during important occasions such as anniversaries, weddings, or when there is a gathering or celebration. Usually, preparing sticky rice requires a lot of time to soak the rice overnight to achieve the desired softness, stickiness, and even cooking. However, with the following simple tips, you can cook sticky rice that is fragrant, sticky, and quickly cooked without having to soak the rice overnight.

Tips for Cooking Sticky Rice Quickly Without Soaking Overnight

Sticky rice is a common dish in Vietnam, but it typically requires soaking the rice overnight to ensure even cooking and the desired sticky texture. If you need to cook sticky rice in a hurry and don’t have the time to soak the rice, try the following clever trick to speed up the cooking process while maintaining the rice’s nutritional value, fragrance, and stickiness.

Roast the Sticky Rice Before Cooking

Method: Place the sticky rice in a pan and roast over low heat for about 5-7 minutes until the grains become slightly dry and fragrant. Then, pour in enough boiling water to cover the rice, cover the pan, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the water and become soft. After this, you can proceed to cook the sticky rice as you normally would. This method ensures that the rice retains its nutritional value and results in a softer, stickier, and more evenly cooked dish, all without the need for overnight soaking.

Benefits: Roasting the rice helps it absorb water faster, reducing the cooking time. The roasted rice also adds a unique fragrance to the dish, and the grains turn out shiny and intact, without becoming mushy.

How to cook sticky rice without soaking overnight

Soak Sticky Rice in Hot Water Instead of Cold

Method: Instead of soaking the rice in cold water for 6-8 hours, try using hot water (70-80°C) and soak the rice for just 30-45 minutes. Then, drain the rice and let it air dry before cooking.

Benefits: Soaking rice in hot water speeds up the softening process and helps retain the rice’s natural stickiness. This trick saves time and eliminates the need for overnight soaking.

Mix Sticky Rice with Coconut Oil or Coconut Milk

Method: After rinsing the rice, mix in 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or coconut milk, along with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor, before cooking. This step is optional but recommended for a richer, more aromatic dish.

Benefits: Coconut milk adds a glossy sheen to the rice and makes it softer and stickier, while coconut oil imparts a subtle sweetness and fragrance. This technique also enhances the natural aroma and flavor of the dish.

Use a Rice Cooker for Convenient Sticky Rice

Method: Rinse and drain the sticky rice, then add it to a rice cooker. Use a 1:0.8 ratio of rice to water. Turn on the cooker and let it cook until the water boils. Then, switch to the “Warm” setting and let the rice cooker do its magic for about 10 more minutes. This method ensures evenly cooked, soft, and sticky rice without the hassle of monitoring a stove.

Benefits: Using a rice cooker is convenient and eliminates the need for fire adjustment. The resulting sticky rice is evenly cooked, soft, and sticky.

With these simple tips, you can enjoy delicious, perfectly cooked sticky rice that is soft, sticky, and fragrant, all without the lengthy process of overnight rice soaking. These tricks save time and effort without compromising on taste and quality.