How to Reheat Your Rice - 4 ways

Rice is generally easy to cook. You can cook rice using a rice cooker, a saucepan, or even bake in the oven.

Note that the type of rice that you decided to cook influences how long it lasts without spoiling—white rice, for example, lasts longer than brown rice

Leftover rice is usually stored in a fridge or freezer and the main reason for this is that leaving rice out at room temperature can facilitate bacteria growth which can make you sick because of food poisoning.

(See more: Leftover rice in temperature causes food poisoning)

We stopped bacterial growth but how are we going to eat the leftover rice? If you're at loss on how to revive your rice, use this guide to find the best way to reheat your rice and get the most out of your leftover rice.

1. The Steam Method.

The process of steaming rice takes about 10 minutes before letting the steamed rice cool and use as needed. 

• First things first, break apart large clumps of leftover plain rice (You can use a tablespoon of water to help break the clumps of rice). 
• Next, place the rice in a steamer basket or colander with holes large enough for water to pass through easily but small enough that the grains aren’t lost through them. 
• Place the steamer basket over a pot of boiling water in medium heat and cover; Allow 10 minutes or until rice is warm and fluffy time before removing it from heat. Leave to cool and serve!

2. The Soak Method

The next method is to soak the rice and this is also one of the easier methods to reheat your rice.

• First, you need to add water to the rice ( 1–2 tablespoons per cup of rice). 
• Cover with a slightly damp paper towel or add a tablespoon of water to prevent drying. 
• Soak the leftover cooked rice in water for 20-30 minutes, using a large safe bowl/microwave-safe dish and a colander. 
• Drain entirely and squeeze out excess moisture with your hands or by pressing it through a mesh strainer. 
• Place 2 cups of water and 1 cup of cooked rice into a pot on medium heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer covered with a lid for 12-15 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed (you may need to remove some liquid from the pot). Let cool before reheating.

3. The Microwave Method

The microwave method is also the fastest method to reheat your cold rice.

• Put your leftover rice in a large microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water or use wet paper towels to gently break up any clumps. (Avoid using directly frozen rice as this will result in rubbery rice)
• Reheat rice in the microwave at 30 secs intervals and check on the texture and level of rice moist.
• Serve when satisfied with the heated rice.

4. Oven Method

Remember that for the oven method, you need to put your rice in an oven-safe baking dish/microwave-safe bowl.

(See more: Use only microwave-safe containers when cooking and reheating foods)

• To start, sprinkle the rice with some water and cover it with a damp paper towel (We recommend using 1-2 tablespoons of water for each cup of rice.)
• Preheat your oven to 350˚ and add a few spoonfuls of water to your dish or pan before adding the rice
• Place the bowl or pan of rice in the hot oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. Afterward, turn off the oven and fluff the rice.

Once it's ready to go, re-cover the rice and let it sit on the counter until serving time. The trapped steam will continue to keep the rice warm.

Things to note when choosing a preferred method:

• The microwave method is faster and easier, but it may result in a slightly rubbery texture if your timing is wrong. (Ensure that you give 30 secs intervals and make sure that your rice is not too moist)

• The soak method is slower but will yield rice with a much better texture. You'll need a pan with a lid or a dish large enough to cover the pot for a good seal. This is because it’s important to trap steam during the reheating process, and that's the job of the lid.

• If your goal is to save time or money, then go for reheating white rice in a pot on the portable stovetop.

• If you want to make sure that your nutrients are intact in your rice, make sure to choose healthier rice options such use brown basmati or long-grain brown rice. (They may need longer soaking times when reheating them but this will give them time for nutrients like vitamin B1 to be released into the water during the soaking process.)

• Additionally, You can also use the air fryer to reheat fried rice

BONUS! Add your leftover rice to a fresh meal or turn it into fried rice

The great thing about leftover rice is that it’s not uncooked rice. If you’re making a stir fry or some fresh soup, and you want to make the meal heartier, add your leftover rice to the mix.

• For the best results, take your rice out of the fridge 15 minutes before you’re ready to add it to your near-finished meal.
• Adding the rice to a freshly made, hot meal not only requires zero extra energy but also makes your next meal even more delicious and filling!

Takeaway

We hope you’ve enjoyed these few tips for reheating rice. We have found them to be effective, simple, and quick to implement in any situation. We also recommend that you heat your rice safely and with care so that it doesn't get burned or eaten raw.

Ready to Serve Rice?

Give these tricks and methods to reheat your rice a try! Here at Culinary Depot, we give you only the best choices for the equipment that you will need to reheat your rice and other leftovers! Explore our range of ovens, microwaves, and freezers now.