Purple Sticky Rice

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This purple sticky rice is super simple to make with just 4 ingredients. It comes out with a beautiful dark color and yummy chewy texture.

Purple sticky rice is surprisingly easy to make! The 4 ingredients for this recipe are not hard to find; no pea flowers are needed!

With this simple method, you’ll get deliciously chewy and gorgeously purple glutinous rice every single time.

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Serve your sticky purple rice with anything from savory to sweet. Use it to add a pop of color to your plate of coconut lentil curry, or enjoy it alongside fresh fruits, and to wash it all down, a glass of pineapple mango smoothie.

Purple Sticky Rice Recipe

Purple glutinous rice is made by combining white and black sticky rice. The secret to getting the perfect chewy texture and dark purple color is using the correct ratio of rice.

What’s the secret rice ratio? You’ll need 2 cups of white glutinous rice for every 2/3 cup of black glutinous rice.

Why You’ll Love This Sticky Purple Rice

Add a pop of color to your meals with purple sticky rice as your side dish. Plate the beautiful rice with vibrant vegetables or fresh fruits for an eye-catching feast.
This purple rice has an incredible chewy texture. No soggy or hard rice here!
The naturally sweet flavor of purple glutinous rice pairs well with anything from sweet mangoes and coconut milk to savory dishes like curry.

Ingredients And Substitutions For Purple Glutinous Rice

The beautifully-hued purple rice comes together with just 4 ingredients:

White sticky rice – Makes up the bulk of the sticky rice.

Black sticky rice – The crucial ingredient that gives the glutinous rice its beautiful purple color.

Salt – Enhances the flavor of the naturally sweet glutinous purple rice.

Water – For soaking and cooking the sticky purple rice.

Another way to make purple sticky rice is with butterfly pea flowers.

Add them to boiling water, and after a few minutes, turn off the heat and add some fresh lime juice to turn the blue water into a beautiful shade of purple.

Then, pour the hot purple water over the white glutinous rice, straining out the flowers. Soak for 3 hours, drain, and steam your purple sticky rice.

If you have leftover pea flowers, you can also make a blue matcha latte for a colorful twist on matcha latte! Just swap dairy milk with almond milk for a vegan version.

Tips For Making Purple Sticky Rice

Soak the Rice Together

You can keep your leftover purple sticky rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Since the rice can harden, sprinkle or rub a bit of water on top of it before you reheat it in the microwave for 1 minute.

Don’t Use Too Much Black Rice

Make sure not to use too much black sticky rice. Black glutinous rice is firm; if you use too much, your purple sticky rice will have a hard texture.

Have Fun Topping Your Purple Sticky Rice

Serve your purple glutinous rice with sliced mangoes and sweetened condensed coconut milk on top. You can add other delicious garnishes like shredded coconut and toasted sesame seeds as well.

Storage Tips

Purple Rice Recipe FAQs

Does purple sticky rice taste different than white rice?

Yes. Purple sticky rice has a slightly sweet and nutty flavor compared to white rice.

Where can I buy the black rice?

You can buy black rice in Asian grocery stores and even on Amazon. Look for “black glutinous rice” or “black sweet rice.”

Where to buy purple sticky rice?

If you don’t feel like making purple glutinous rice from white and black sticky rice, you can buy purple sticky rice on Amazon.

Can I substitute the sticky rice for regular rice?

No. You can’t substitute sticky rice with regular rice as it’s too dry and won’t give you the perfect shade of purple and chewy, sticky texture on your purple rice.

Is purple sticky rice gluten-free?

Yes, purple sticky rice is gluten-free. It is also a whole grain.

More Delicious Vegan Side Dishes

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Purple Sticky Rice

This purple sticky rice is super simple to make with just 4 ingredients. It comes out with a beautiful dark color and yummy chewy texture.

Lyza

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Soaking Time 6

Total Time 6 20

Equipment

1 Bowl
1 Sieve
1 Large saucepan with lid

Ingredients

2 cups white sticky rice
2/3 cup black sticky rice
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups water + extra for soaking the rice

Instructions

Gather your ingredients to make purple sticky rice.
Combine the white and black sticky rice in a bowl.
Add enough water to cover the surface of the rice plus half an inch. Soak for at least 6 hours.
Drain the water and rinse the rice thrice through a sieve to remove the excess starch.
Transfer the rice to a large sauce pan. Add salt and 3 cups of water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Cover with a lid.
Allow the purple sticky rice to cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat. Keep it covered for 10 minutes and it’s ready to serve.

Notes

Soak the white and black sticky rice together for 6 hours, or much better, overnight to achieve the beautiful purple color.
Make sure not to use too much black sticky rice. Black glutinous rice is firm; if you use too much, your purple sticky rice will have a hard texture.
Serve your purple glutinous rice with sliced mangoes and sweetened condensed coconut milk on top. You can add other delicious garnishes like shredded coconut and toasted sesame seeds as well.
You can keep your leftover purple sticky rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Since the rice can harden, sprinkle or rub a bit of water on top of it before you reheat it in the microwave for 1 minute.