Leftover rice is not to be underestimated. It's an instant shortcut for easy dinners and sides like fried rice, loaded grain bowls, cheesy casserole recipes, and more—not to mention the perfect base for all your favorite stir-fry dishes. What's more, it's one of those miracle foods that quickly and easily reheats back to its original, fluffy state...as long as you reheat it properly, that is.
But how, you ask? We understand the confusion: After all, cooked rice tends to dry out over time, and less moisture means you'll find more crumbly hard bits in the mix. It's not exactly appetizing. 😅 Ahead, we're sharing the secret to bringing leftover rice back to life without any of that unfortunate clump-age. The key, as you'll learn, is to incorporate some water. You want to create a dreamy, steamy environment that plumps up each grain so that they're as good as new.
Luckily, this method isn't too hard to master, and it works in the microwave, over the stove, and in the oven. Keep reading to learn our best tips—and if you have more leftovers on hand than you usually do, don't miss our guide on how long cooked rice lasts.
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How do you reheat rice on the stove?
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You'll need a saucepan with a lid or a plate large enough to cover the pan for a good seal. Why? Well, because it's important to trap steam during the reheating process, and that's the job of the lid.
To start, add a little water to the saucepan. It doesn't take much to reheat rice, so picture a few spoonfuls of water for each standard takeout container. Next, cover the saucepan and place it over low or medium-low heat. Once you hear the water hiss or see any steam build up, give the pan a good shake, then leave it to heat for another minute or so before turning off the heat. Let it sit, covered, for at least a few minutes, then uncover and fluff the grains. Taste for doneness—in this case, that really means rehydration! If the rice is still a little dry and crumbly, add a bit more water and try again.
Oh, and one last tip: Once the rice is done, keep the pan covered until you're ready to serve. This additional covered steaming ensures that the rice grains are reheated all the way through, not just at the surface level.
How do you reheat rice in the oven?
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Though it's more time-consuming than the stovetop method, using the oven to reheat rice is ideal for large quantities. That's because the circulatory heat of the oven provides a more gradual reheating process.
The first step is to preheat your oven—350˚ works well. Similar to the stovetop method, you'll want to add a few spoonfuls of water to your dish or pan before adding the rice—then, pour the leftover rice into the same ovenproof vessel (make sure it has a lid to retain moisture; if not, opt for a tightly-wrapped sheet of aluminum foil). Place the pan in the hot oven for 10 to 15 minutes, then fluff the rice and check the texture. 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.
Is it safe to reheat rice in the microwave?
Yes! In fact, this is the fastest and easiest of the rice reheating methods. The microwave can get the job done in less than a minute. Just put your rice in a microwave-safe bowl along with a splash of water. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or set a microwave-safe plate or wet paper towel on top, then microwave in 20-second increments, stirring and re-covering in between, until heated through.
These Small Rice Cookers Are Incredibly Well-Reviewed
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