Have leftover rice from your favorite takeout restaurant or make too much at home last night? We'll show you four ways to reheat rice.
Rice is definitely a pantry staple around my house. It is affordable and can be combined with so many different ingredients to create easy and healthy rice recipes for weeknight meals. Once I settled on my favorite method for making rice, I started cooking a few extra portions to store in the fridge for leftover meals. But I didn’t realize that if you don’t know how to reheat rice properly, it can become dry, mushy or burnt. Even if I made perfect rice, it was often tough and sticky the next day.
Luckily, reheating rice can be a very simple task, and we have laid out all you need to know so you can re-create the fluffy, light, moist texture of a fresh pot. Here’s how to properly store leftover rice and four easy ways to reheat rice so it can get back to its original glory.
How to Store Cooked Rice
Leftover rice lasts in the refrigerator for up to four days if stored properly. Longer than that, it may not be safe to eat. A bacteria called Bacillus cereus can grow on rice, especially if it is left at room temperature for extended periods. Unlike other leftovers, this particular bacteria isn’t always killed during the cooking process. The best food safety practice is to cool down leftover rice quickly and refrigerate it within one hour of cooking.
The fastest way to cool your rice is to spread it into a thin layer in a shallow food-storage container or on a large plate or baking sheet so the steam can rapidly escape. If using a container, leave the lid off or ajar until the rice is cooled, and then seal. Otherwise, transfer the cold rice from the plate or pan into airtight storage bags or containers.
If you can’t eat leftovers within a few days, rice is easy to freeze. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe storage container. Rice keeps well in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to reheat it, break the rice into chunks and use one of the cooking methods below.
How to Reheat Rice
You can reheat rice from the fridge or straight from frozen. The only requirement is that rice be reheated to at least 165°F, which is the temperature needed to kill any potentially harmful bacteria. It should be steamy throughout, but using an instant-read thermometer (the Thermapen is our favorite) is the best way to ensure it’s hot enough.
How to reheat rice in the microwave
The microwave is the fastest way to reheat rice, and it’s a great option whether you are heating a single serving or several. Place the rice in a microwave-safe container, add a tablespoon of broth or water for every cup of rice, and toss with a fork to break up any clumps. Cover the container with a damp kitchen towel, or set the lid lightly over the top to help create steam and keep the rice moist. Heat on full power for a minute or two, stopping and stirring the rice occasionally to ensure it’s evenly reheated.
This method works with any type of rice, which then can be served plain with a pat of butter or flavored with chopped fresh herbs or a handful of shredded cheese. I love to microwave leftover rice while scrambling some eggs; then I tuck it all into a warm tortilla with salsa for a quick, satisfying breakfast. If you have other food to use up, you can microwave leftovers to go along with the rice.
How to reheat rice on the stove
Steaming rice on the stove is a great way to make day-old rice fluffy again, since steaming steeps the rice in plenty of moisture. Place the rice in a small saucepan and add a tablespoon of broth or water for every cup of rice. You can also add a pat of butter for extra richness. Break up any clumps of rice using a fork, then cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Cook the rice over low heat for three to five minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
For this method, make sure to choose the right pot size based on how much rice you are reheating. If there is only a thin layer of rice in the pot, it’s more likely to burn or overcook. To add even more flavor, saute chopped onion, shallots or garlic before adding the rice and liquid. It will taste like a shortcut rice pilaf! I also sometimes add frozen vegetables to heat along with the rice for a veggie-packed side.
Steaming is gentler and reheats more evenly than microwaving, so it’s less likely the rice will overcook and fall apart. It works well with both white and brown rice. You can use a similar technique on the stove to reheat leftovers without a microwave so your entire dinner can be fresh-tasting and hot in a flash.
How to reheat rice in the oven
We like to reheat rice in the oven, especially if the oven is already turned on to cook something else, like a sheet-pan dinner. Heat the oven to 300°. Transfer the rice to a casserole dish or other oven-safe dish, spreading it evenly and breaking up any clumps with a fork. Toss with a tablespoon of water or broth for every cup of rice and cover tightly with a lid or foil. Bake until the rice is hot and steamy throughout, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir a pat of butter or a drizzle of olive oil into the rice before serving for extra flavor.
This method works especially well for sturdy brown rice that benefits from slow, even heating and plenty of steam. Serve the reheated rice right from the casserole dish so it stays warm.
How to stir-fry leftover rice
This last method is a great way to reheat rice if you’re adding more ingredients, like eggs, meat or veggies, to turn it into a complete skillet meal or hearty side. It’s also a good way to improve rice that’s unevenly cooked or bland, two common rice mistakes. Fried rice is one of the most popular uses for leftover rice, and you can make a small or large batch of it depending on how much rice you have to heat.
To make fried rice, heat a neutral-tasting oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the rice, tossing to coat each grain with oil, then spread it into an even layer. Cook the rice, uncovered, until it’s plump, hot and lightly browned on the bottom, about three minutes. Serve it as is or add other ingredients, such as finely diced vegetables or tofu, plus a drizzle of your favorite sauce. Go light on the sauce, as the rice will instantly soak it up and you don’t want it to become too salty or mushy.
How to Reheat Rice FAQ
Why is my reheated rice mushy?
Reheated rice can become mushy if it’s cooked for too long or if too much liquid is added while reheating. Add just a splash of water, about 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of rice, when reheating rice so it doesn’t dry out. Cover the rice loosely, leaving the lid slightly ajar so some of the steam can escape. To prevent tender grains from breaking down into a dense, porridge-like consistency, fluff the rice with a fork rather than vigorously stirring it.
Can I reheat rice more than once?
It’s best not to reheat rice more than once. Since bacteria thrives in warm temperatures, reheating rice can promote bacterial growth, which is slowed, but not stopped, once fully cooled and refrigerated. The more times you reheat rice, the more bacteria can multiply. Not to mention, the texture of rice will continue to soften and deteriorate the more it’s cooked. To avoid food waste, reheat only what you need at a time.
How do I tell if leftover rice has gone bad?
You can sometimes tell if leftover rice has gone bad by checking for a sour or off-putting aroma and for discolored or moldy spots. Those are quick and obvious signs that the rice should be tossed. However, some bacteria, including B. cereus, aren’t as easily detectable, so if your rice hasn’t been refrigerated within about one hour of cooking or it’s been in the fridge for more than four days, it’s better just to toss it.
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