Sometimes, the supermarket is the site of your biggest dinnertime dilemmas! Faced with row upon row of products, fingers hesitantly wrapping around a box, you’ll think of the recipe you want to make and start to question the merits of sticky rice vs jasmine rice. What exactly is the difference between these two grains? Can they be used interchangeably? Most importantly, which one is the best choice for tonight’s dinner?
Our best advice? Don’t panic! Two of the world’s most popular rice varieties, sticky and jasmine, are both easy to find and delicious. They can be used in a variety of ways to make delectable breakfast dishes, entrées, and desserts. But is jasmine rice sticky rice? In short, no. Each of these grains is prized for its distinct qualities and is best used in certain types of recipes. Neither one is better than the other; they each just bring something unique to the table. Which one you use depends on what you’re making, how you want to prepare it, and the final flavor and texture you want in your dish. Perfectly portioned, reliable, and convenient, Success® Rice makes it easy to sample both and learn how they fit into your weekly meal plan.
Curious to know more about sticky rice and jasmine rice? Read on for tips about how to prepare each, plus info about their texture and flavor, and ideas for how to serve them. Whether your goal is to create a dish with a little texture and slight sweetness or one anchored by fluffy, aromatic grains, you’ll learn how to pick the best rice for your meal!
What Makes Sticky Rice Unique
Also known as glutinous, waxy, or sweet rice, sticky rice can be short, medium, or long grain. There are many types of sticky rice, including Thai long-grain sticky rice and whole-grain black sticky rice. High in amylopectin starch and very low in amylose starch, sticky rice becomes gluey when cooked. Stickier than sushi rice, sticky rice is easy to clump together and is the best type of rice for making dishes such as Chinese dumplings and Thai desserts. In addition to its singular texture, sticky rice is beloved for its fragrance and slightly sweet flavor. Though it’s generally best to soak sticky rice prior to cooking, Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice offers convenient, quality medium-grain rice that doesn’t require any special equipment or soaking. Ideal for any scenario—from busy weeknights to lazy weekends—it’s a no-measure, no-mess solution that’s ready for any recipe in just 12 minutes!
What Makes Jasmine Rice Unique?
Native to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, jasmine rice is an ultra-fragrant, long-grain type of rice that’s light, fluffy, and slightly stickier than other long-grain varieties, such as basmati. Despite being named for its pure white color, jasmine rice is also available in brown and black varieties. With its buttery, floral aroma, jasmine rice is delicious in stir-fries, curries, puddings, and as a side dish. Ready in 10 minutes, Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice brings the sweet aroma and soft texture of this prized rice variety to your table, without a shred of fuss.
Is Jasmine Rice Sticky Rice?
Despite the common misconception, jasmine rice is not sticky rice. Though it is slightly stickier than other long-grain rice varieties, it does not clump together the same way that sticky rice does. When it does appear to be stickier than normal, it’s generally due to incorrect cooking. Overcooked jasmine rice, or rice made with too much water, can become mushier and gluier than normal when cooked.
When Should You Use Sticky Rice vs Jasmine Rice?
Choosing the right ingredients for your menu can be as important as choosing the dishes themselves! When making Asian desserts, sushi, or poke bowls, opt for Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice for rice that is chewy, holds together well, and has a delightfully mild, slightly sweet flavor and aroma. For stir-fries, puddings, or as a side, Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice is light and fragrant, with a soft, fluffy, slightly sticky texture.
Biko
Gloriously gooey, chewy, and rich, this caramelized sticky rice treat is the answer to afternoon slumps and post-dinner cravings. Hailing from the Philippines, it’s a bold, coconut-scented dish that will instantly add a little tropical flavor to your day.
Peach Sticky Rice
Juicy, ripe peaches stand in for mangoes in this variation on the classic Thai dessert. With the bouncy texture of Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice, fresh fruit, and the lushness of coconut milk, it’s a take that’s every bit as irresistible as the original.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Sitting at the crossroads between bananas foster, sticky toffee, and rice pudding, this dessert is buttery, sugary, and mouth-wateringly good. Though we recommend the toasted coconut and caramelized banana garnish, there’s plenty to love about the simplicity of cream-suffused, toffee-topped Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice.
Spicy Shrimp Stacks
For brunch, lunch, a first course or light dinner, these saucy shrimp stacks deliver good looks, great taste and simplicity—all in one place! Assemble the Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice, shrimp, seasonings, cucumber, and avocado, from start to finish, and you can make these in just 15 minutes.
Sticky Honey Gochujang Sticky Rice
In this crowd-pleasing dish, Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice is a flavorful bed for tender morsels of chicken and a savory, glossy sauce. Craving the ultimate culinary match? We think you’ll agree that sticky sauce paired with sticky rice just might be it.
Sticky Rice with Mango and Coconut
The classic dish from Thailand is recreated here with 12-minute Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice, and all the usual fixings. Redolent of coconut and ripe mango, with an elegant garnish of mint and black sesame seeds, it will whisk you away to the tropics with every mouthful.
Salmon Poke Bowl
Like takeout—but infinitely better!—this fresh poke bowl is layered with a vibrant array of bold, inviting ingredients. We love the sweet and savory combination of salmon, edamame, pineapple, avocado, and carrots, but feel free to sub in other veggies or proteins if you prefer.
Tuna Onigiri
Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice is key to effortless assembly of this savory dish! Simply mold it around the creamy, soy-spiked tuna filling for a zippy, handheld snack. At home or on the go, these won’t last long.
Crispy Rice with Spicy Shrimp Salad
Sticky rice goes crisp in this novel nibble! A dish that looks as good as it tastes, this one combines crunchy sticky rice with marinated shrimp and creamy avocado, plus a slick of eel sauce and sriracha. The result? An appetizer or light meal that’s bold, bright, and anything but dull.
Sushi Bake
Infused with the flavors of sushi, this dish is infinitely easier to make than the classic! A layered casserole brimming with seasoned Success® boil-in-bag sticky rice, saucy shrimp, and a crunchy, nori-flecked topping, this 45-minute dish is a warming, surprising addition to your weeknight routine.
Sweet Jasmine Mango Rice
Lighter than the classic, this Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice dessert can be served any time of day. An irresistible counterpoint to delicate slices of ripe fruit, the rice is mixed with thickened coconut milk for a dish that carries all the beloved flavors of the Thai go-to.
Thai Cashew Fried Rice with Chicken
A Thai-inspired take on fried rice, this one is made with chicken and veggies, plus soy sauce and Thai chilies, for a sassy hit of heat! Crunchy cashews and warm jasmine rice round out the textures and flavors of this weeknight-friendly all-star.
Chamomile Infused Jasmine Rice with Broiled Salmon and Asparagus
This type of dish, which looks far more complicated than it is, is for wowing guests without breaking a sweat! Here, chamomile tea brings out the floral notes in Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, while broiled asparagus and salmon add color and oodles of flavor to each plate. A dish that celebrates warmer weather, this one is also ready in just 30 minutes.
Vegetable Biryani with Yellow Jasmine Rice
Celebrate vegetables—and the irreplaceable texture of Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice— with this turmeric-scented delight. An aromatic dish that’s brimming with spices, this one can also be customized with your favorite stir-fried veggies.
Honey Ginger Baked Salmon with Jasmine Rice
Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice makes a cozy bed for baked salmon in this vibrant dish. Once you sample the sweet and savory orange marinade, you’ll be tempted to put it on everything!
Dubai Chocolate Rice Pudding
Invite the trendy dessert into your kitchen with this ultra-indulgent pudding recipe. Dark and chocolatey, with a hint of cardamom and a crunchy pistachio garnish, this one is strictly for devout dessert lovers.
Can You Substitute Sticky Rice and Jasmine Rice?
Despite their many differences, sometimes jasmine rice is used in place of sticky rice and vice versa. It’s not always advisable, though, and is best done in dishes where the texture of the rice is not key to its success. For example, if making onigiri or a classic Thai sticky rice dessert, it’s best to use sticky, or glutinous, rice. Though jasmine can be made stickier than normal (by not rinsing it and cooking it with slightly more water than usual), it will never clump the way that sticky rice does. For dishes where you want a rice dish to hold its shape or mold to a dish, sticky rice is always best! In general, sticky rice can be used in place of jasmine rice.
How to Cook Sticky Rice vs Jasmine Rice
As discussed, sticky rice and jasmine rice each have their own unique texture, flavor, and aroma. Knowing how to cook each type of rice is key to getting the most out of every grain. For optimal results, sticky rice should be rinsed and then soaked before cooking—ideally, for a minimum of 4 hours. This step is crucial to ensuring tender grains that aren’t gummy. Most experts recommend steaming sticky rice for 15-20 minutes after it is soaked. This can be done in a cheesecloth-lined steamer basket placed inside a large pot.
To cook jasmine rice, begin by rinsing the grains. Then, use a 1:1 1/4 rice-to-water ratio. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Season with salt, if desired, then add the rice, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low. Boil for 15 minutes until the rice is fluffy and tender.
Plan your menu around Success® Rice, and leave the guesswork out of the dinnertime equation! With options for every type of meal—including those that revolve around perfect sticky rice or jasmine rice—it’s the ideal kitchen helper for the modern cook.