How to Reheat Rice

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Learn How to Reheat Rice so you can enjoy soft and fluffy leftover rice again. These tips and tricks will help you enjoy rice the second time around.

A black bowl filled with cooked brown rice rests gracefully on a dark surface, offering a warm invitation. A checkered cloth is partially visible in the background, hinting at the comforting ritual of knowing how to reheat rice just right for the next delicious meal.

Leftover rice is always a plus when we order take out or make a meal with rice. It is an easy side to add to leftover meats and add vegetables for an amazing lunch idea. You can easily re-purpose the rice in many different ways.

If you are looking for ways to reuse leftover rice, check out these 8 easy ways. You can easily change the seasoning, see how to season white rice and How to Season Brown Rice.

Reheating rice can be done in the microwave, oven, or on your stovetop. The texture changes after the rice sets in the refrigerator. It loses its moisture and becomes tough, chewy and clumps together. These three options will help you reuse your leftover rice.

A black bowl brimming with fluffy, cooked brown rice sits elegantly on a dark surface. A soft beige cloth peeks into the background, adding a warm contrast to the scene—perfectly capturing a moment before discovering how to reheat rice flawlessly.

Tips for Reheating Rice

Room Temperature – Store rice in an air tight container once the rice has cooled to room temperature.
Water Per Cup of Rice – Add about a tablespoons of water per cup of rice when reheating.

Can you heat up already cooked rice?

Yes, you can reheat already cooked rice. When reheating rice for another meal, you are trying to add moisture back into the rice. You can easily add in some butter or oil to bring the fluffy texture back into the rice.

Don’t throw out that leftover rice and reheat it in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven. It will be fluffy, delicious and taste like you just made it.

How to Reheat Rice in the Microwave

Microwave is one of the easiest ways to reheat rice. It is fast and convenient and brings your microwave to life. When you take it out of the refrigerator it will clumped together. Put it on a microwave safe plate or bowl and bring the rice up with a fork.

You may need to add a little water or butter and cover the right with a damp paper towel. Reheat in the microwave at one minute intervals until rice is heated thoroughly.

A black bowl of fluffy white rice garnished with chopped parsley is in the foreground, showcasing a delicious approach to how to reheat rice. A multicooker appliance is blurred in the background. The setting is on a wooden surface, and a black and white cloth is partially visible.

How to Reheat Rice on the Stove

I like to steam the leftover rice on the stove. It easy to do and taste just like I made it. I know that it isn’t always an option, but it a simple process. Depending on the amount of rice you have, I prefer to reheat on the stove.

Place the leftover rice in a sauce pan with a splash of water to add moisture back to the rice. Begin breaking up the rice with a fork while it is in the stovetop. Place cover on the sauce pan and reheat over low heat.

Keep stirring the rice until rice is heated thoroughly.

How to Reheat Rice in the Oven

Reheating rice in the oven is also an easy option to heat up your leftover rice. Place the rice in a baking dish with a splash of water. Break up the clumps of rice with fork and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake the leftover rice at a preheated oven at 300 degrees. Reheat for about 20 minutes or until rice is heated.

A bowl of fluffy white rice, perfectly garnished with chopped parsley, graces the black dish on a rustic wooden surface. For those wondering how to reheat rice, this delightful serving looks as fresh as if it’s just been steamed.

How to Reheat White Rice

White rice is easy to reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. Depending on how much white rice you have leftover, microwave is the fastest and easiest way to reheat.

Please the white rice in a microwave safe bowl and reheat. You may need to add a splash of water, oil, or butter to the bowl to help bring back the moisture. Reheat in 20 second intervals until rice is heated thoroughly and has a fluffy texture.

How to Reheat Brown Rice

Brown rice is easy to reheat. You can reheat long grain brown rice or short grain rice in the microwave or the stove top. Depending on the amount of rice that you have the microwave is the easiest.

Place the brown rice in a microwave safe dish and cover with a plastic wrap. You may need to add a splash of water or butter. Allow the brown rice to reheat thoroughly which allows the rice to bring back it fluffy texture.

A red bowl filled with fluffy white rice, delicately garnished with small green parsley leaves on top, sits on a dark surface. Wondering how to reheat rice? Discover the secrets to keeping it perfectly soft and fresh.

Recipes with Leftover Rice

Easy Fried Rice Recipe – This fried rice recipe is quick and easy. It is the perfect way to use leftover rice.
Crock Taco Rice Soup Recipe – Toss your leftover rice in this amazing taco soup recipe. It is easy to make and full of flavor.
Chicken Fried Rice Recipe – This is one of our popular recipes as it is easy to make. Use your leftover chicken and rice to make a family friendly meal idea. Perfect meal to skip takeout.
Skillet Chicken and Rice Burrito Recipe – This shredded chicken and rice one-pan burrito recipe is very easy to make. This meal is full of juicy chopped chicken, salsa, easy spices and rice.