How to Reheat Rice 3 Ways
For tender, fluffy rice, harness the power of steam.
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Maybe you’ve pulled a bowl of leftover rice from the fridge and seen a dry clumpy mass that looked unsalvageable. Or you might have heard that it’s unsafe to eat leftover rice. But you absolutely can reheat it safely, and with excellent results. The secret? There are actually two: The first is storing it properly, and second is reheating it so it’s tenderized by steam — something that’s easier than it sounds. Here’s everything you need to know to reheat rice three ways, plus how and why you should handle it differently for that leftover favorite fried rice. But first, a quick rundown on how to handle leftover rice safely.
Leftover Rice and Food Safety
Rice can harbor a bacteria known as Bacillus cereus, and under certain conditions, this bacteria can multiply and produce enough toxins to cause foodborne illness. That’s why it’s important to serve, cool and store rice correctly. Here are the most important factors to remember.
1. Refrigerate It Within Two Hours
That time should be shortened to one hour if it’s been sitting at hot temperature of 90 degrees F (like at a summer picnic) or more or if you’ve left it on the stove in a pot.
2. Divide It Into Smaller Batches
To cool a large batch of rice quickly, divide it into smaller batches and leave uncovered (never covered) until cooled, or spread it over a sheet pan. Once the rice reaches 70 degrees F (room temperature), place it in airtight containers and refrigerate or freeze.
3. Use It Within Four Days
Use refrigerated rice within 4 days of cooking and frozen rice within 2 months.
4. Reheat Rice to the Right Temperature
Always reheat leftover rice to at least 165 degrees F to ensure safety.
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How to Reheat Rice Three Ways
Freshly cooked rice is soft and fluffy with distinct but tender grains. Unfortunately, rice becomes hard in the cool refrigerator environment as the starch molecules turn crystalline in structure, forcing out moisture. The good news is that adding heat and moisture in the form of steam will bring the rice back almost as good as new. Properly reheated, it should even have the sweet, lightly nutty aroma of fresh-cooked. Here are the three best ways to approach it: microwave, stovetop and oven methods.
Our Preferred Method: How to Reheat Rice In the Microwave
Here’s the quickest way to reheat rice and the most foolproof, especially for small quantities. You can also use this method for reheating frozen rice straight from the freezer, no thawing required, although it will take a bit longer.
Step 1: Setup the Rice. Place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl. If you’re reheating a large batch of 2 cups or more you can sprinkle the rice with 1 tablespoon of water per cup of rice. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel.
Step 2: Microwave the Rice. Microwave the rice for 30 seconds. If you're cooking a big batch, microwave it for 45 seconds.
Step 3: Stir the rice. Gently stir the rice, breaking up clumps with the side of the spoon.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3. Cover the rice again with the paper towel and microwave for another 30-45 seconds depending on the size of the batch. Continue until the rice is piping hot (at least 165 degrees F).
How to Reheat Rice on the Stovetop
This method produces uniformly good results and requires just a saucepan with a tightly fitting lid.
Step 1: Add ingredients to a saucepan. Place 2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice in the bottom of a saucepan to prevent the rice from sticking. Place the rice on top, cover with a tight-fitting lid and place over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Cook the rice. Cook the rice, stirring very gently one or twice, until the rice is piping hot (at least 165 degrees). Timing will vary, but a 2-cup batch should take 6 to 7 minutes.
Step 3: Allow the rice to steam. If the rice seems a little soggy you can let it sit, covered, for a few minutes for the grains to absorb excess moisture.
How to Reheat Rice in the Oven
While this method for reheating leftover rice is a little more time-consuming than others, it produces excellent fluffy rice and is very effective for larger batches of 3 or more cups — the uniform heat of the oven means you don’t have to stir the rice occasionally, avoiding any excess stickiness. You can also use this method for cooking rice directly from frozen, no thawing required.
Step 1: Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Step 2: Add the ingredients to a baking dish. Pour 2 tablespoons per cup of rice into a glass or ceramic baking dish. Spread the rice evenly over the water. Cover the dish very securely with foil.
Step 3: Bake the rice. Bake until piping hot (at least 165 degrees F). A 3-cup batch will take 30 minutes. If you're cooking frozen rice, increase the cooking time to around 40 minutes depending on the quantity.
Reheating Rice for Fried Rice
While most methods for heating leftover rice focus on steaming the grains for fluffiness, there’s one favorite dish that takes a different approach: fried rice. Here the slightly dried, lightly crunchy texture of leftover rice isn’t counteracted with steam but embraced with oil in a very hot pan. Fresh rice or steamed reheated rice becomes sticky and mushy when repeatedly stirred; day-old rice is dry — once clumps are broken up, the grains keep their integrity better.
Recipes differ, but here’s a basic method for reheating rice for fried rice:
Step 1: Heat oil over medium-high heat. Pour oil into a skillet or wok and swirl to coat the bottom. Place over medium-high heat and add the rice.
Step 2: Add rice in an even layer. Pat the rice gently into an even layer and let cook undisturbed for a minute.
Step 3: Stir constantly. Begin to stir constantly until the grains dry out, separate and start to crisp and lightly brown.
You can then add all your precooked elements like proteins and veggies to the pan and your sauce or seasonings. You can get all the delicious specifics in our How To Make Fried Rice guide, or find more inspiration by clicking through a roundup of favorite fried rice recipes.
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How Long Does Rice Keep In the Fridge?
According to the USDA, rice will keep 3 to 4 days after cooking if cooled properly and refrigerated at 40 degrees F or below. But remember that it will get a bit more dried out with each passing day.
How Long Does Rice Keep In the Freezer?
Rice is easy to freeze and will keep frozen in an airtight container well for up to 2 months. You can thaw it in the fridge for about a day before reheating it or microwave straight from frozen. You can also pour 2 tablespoons per cup of rice into a baking dish, add the rice, cover securely with foil and bake in a 300-degree-F oven until piping hot.
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