3 WAYS TO REHEAT RICE FOR PERFECTLY FLUFFY RESULTS

Cooked rice is one of the most versatile leftovers, but it often ends up dry by the time it hits our plates a second time. Turning it into fried rice or rice pudding is a good way to avoid this problem, but what if you just want to serve it with steak or chicken curry? How do you reheat it so it comes out as beautifully fluffy and moist as it was when it was freshly cooked?

As someone who has developed basic recipes for white rice, brown rice, and sushi rice, I’m very familiar with leftover rice and the process of reheating it. Here’s how to ensure yours comes out perfect every time.

But WAIT: Can’t Reheated Rice Make You Sick?

While there's been a lot of talk about health risks associated with reheated rice, it's perfectly safe to eat it as long as the rice was cooled and stored properly. We devoted an article to this that you can read if you want the full story, but essentially, the key is to cool the rice down quickly and refrigerate it in an airtight container within an hour. If you follow those guidelines, you should be fine to reheat and enjoy!

The Best Way To Reheat Rice

There are a few guiding principles for reheating rice: add water to the rice before heating so that it turns into steam, which helps to rehydrate the rice as it warms, and stir at intervals to help it heat evenly. Beyond that, the exact method you use depends on how much rice you’re dealing with, what type of equipment you have, and your time frame. No matter which of the below options you choose, it should result in the perfectly fluffy rice of your dreams.

The Microwave

If you’re reheating a single portion—say, a cup or less—of rice, the microwave is the best solution. Add the rice to a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle with a tablespoon of water, cover with plastic wrap or a plate, and heat on full power in 45-second intervals, stirring between each, until the rice is fluffy and warm. This typically takes about 90 seconds total for me.

While you can, of course, use this method to heat larger portions of rice as well, you will need a bigger bowl, and the process will definitely take longer. If you’re reheating for your family, the next option might be easier.

The Stovetop

This method is great for reheating a couple of cups of rice at a time. Just add the rice to a medium pot, add roughly a tablespoon of water for every cup of rice in the pot, cover, and cook on medium-low heat, stirring every 45 seconds, until it’s heated through.

If you don’t have a microwave, you can use this stovetop option for a personal portion as well. I’d recommend using the smallest pot you own and a little more water to help prevent sticking.

The Oven

If you’re reheating rice for a crowd—say, 8 or 9 cups—the oven is the best way to go. Preheat it to 300 degrees and add the rice to a glass or ceramic baking dish. Drizzle a tablespoon of water per cup over top, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is fluffy and warmed through.

You can use this method for smaller portions, too—make sure to use a baking dish that’s the appropriate size for your portion!—but since it takes much longer than the other two methods, I don’t generally recommend it.

Can I Flavor My Rice?

Once it's warmed through, a great way to zhuzh up your leftover rice is to fold in a tablespoon or two of butter or some chopped fresh herbs. This definitely isn't required, but it can help to transform the rice so you don't feel as though you're eating the same thing multiple days in a row. Depending on what you’re serving it with, I also recommend tasting and seasoning with salt—anything leftover often requires a bump of salt to lock in that perfect level of flavor again.

What’s your favorite way to reheat rice? Let us know in the comments below.

2025-05-13T16:11:04Z