FilipinoMedium · Hot
Pineapple Sticky Rice with Sesame and Vinegar
Sweet and tangy sticky rice studded with juicy pineapple, finished with a drizzle of vinegar-sugar sauce and toasted sesame. A festive dessert that brings Filipino kamayan energy to the table.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Method
1
Rinse white rice under cold water until water runs clear, about 3-4 times. Drain well.
2
In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine drained rice with 2 cups water, coconut oil, and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer 18-20 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
4
Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
5
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine white vinegar, white sugar, and 0.25 teaspoon salt.
6
Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
7
Cut pineapple into small bite-sized cubes, about 1/2 inch. You should have roughly 2 cups of cubed pineapple.
8
9
10
Continue folding for 2-3 minutes until sauce is absorbed and rice has a sticky, glazed texture. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
11
In a dry small pan over medium-low heat, toast sesame seeds, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
12
Drizzle sesame oil over the rice mixture and fold once. Transfer to a serving platter and scatter toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve warm.
C
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 10
Calories
615
per serving
Calorie-dense · 615 kcal
Protein
10g
Carbs
107g
Fat
16g
Sat. fat
9g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
10g
Sodium
453mg
Dairy FreeGluten FreeVeganHeart HealthyLow Sodium OptionalEnergy SustainingQuick Energy
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
B
Environmental impact
Low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.8
per serving
BCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
1.6m³
Land
21Pt
Runoff
0.1g P
White Rice drives 58% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
3
Umami
5
Sweet
3
Salty
5
Sour
1
Bitter
0
Spicy
Textures
TenderTender Crisp
Aromas
CaramelHerbalNutty
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
WokTechniques
Safety & Storage
Allergen Warning
Contains sesame. Inform guests of sesame allergy before serving. Sesame is one of the 'Big Nine' allergens and can cause severe reactions in sensitive individuals.
Cooking Temperature
Toast sesame seeds at medium-low heat only. Seeds burn quickly due to small size and high oil content. Stir constantly and remove from heat the moment they turn golden.
Cross Contamination
Clean the dry small pan thoroughly before toasting sesame seeds if previously used with other ingredients. Use separate utensils for sesame garnish to prevent allergen transfer.
Storage
Refrigerate leftover pineapple sticky rice within 2 hours of cooking. Store in airtight container. Consume within 3-5 days. Reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before serving.
Handling
Use oven mitts when removing lid from steamed rice - escaping steam causes burns. The rice pot and skillet will be extremely hot after cooking.
High Risk Population
For immunocompromised individuals, pregnant individuals, or young children, ensure all ingredients are fresh and properly washed. The raw pineapple should be prepared on clean surfaces.
Fruit Safety
For high-risk populations (immunocompromised, pregnant individuals, young children), ensure pineapple is cooked thoroughly as directed. If serving any portion raw, use pineapple that has been properly washed and cut with sanitized equipment on a clean cutting board.
Pro Tips
Technique
Don't rush the pineapple in the skillet — let those cubes sit still long enough to develop golden caramelized edges. That deep sweetness is what makes this dish sing.
Substitution
If you want a richer coconut vibe, swap the sesame oil for coconut oil when tossing the rice — it amplifies that tropical feel without straying from the pantry staples.
From the chef
My lola used to say that good rice is the heart of any Filipino table, and she'd transform simple ingredients into something that made the whole neighborhood want to pull up a seat. This pineapple sticky rice carries that same spirit — the sweet-tangy dance of vinegar and sugar sauce meeting juicy pineapple, all cozy together with toasty sesame. It's the kind of dessert that disappears fast because there's always room for seconds when you're eating with your hands, kamayan-style. Masaya ang puso kapag may ganito sa hapag.
TagsSticky RicePineappleVinegarSesameFestiveTropicalGluten FreeCoconut Oil
AllergensSesame
Source: generated · June 12, 2026