How To Reheat Rice In A Microwave

How to Heat Up Leftover Rice in A Microwave

Having too much leftover rice can be a hassle, especially if you do not know what to do with it. But rice is an easy leftover food because it can be repurposed in any way you like it.

It can be reheated in many different ways

• Steps to reheat rice on a stovetop
• Oven
• Rice Cooker

The easiest way to reheat rice will be using the microwave. All you need to do is pop it in the microwave and heat it for a few minutes, and you will have hot and steaming rice.

To know more about these steps, just continue reading below.

How to Safely Reheat Rice in The Microwave

The purpose of reheating rice is just very simple. Rice can easily dry out when it is stored in the refrigerator for some time. Dry rice is not so appetizing, and you might want to throw out that rice instead of consuming it. To make it tasty again, heat it out at the same time, hydrating it back again. Rice can be safely reheated in a microwave by following these steps:

1. Use a microwavable container such as glassware, ceramic, or even microwave-safe plastic.
2. It is best to heat the rice by batch or by one serving at a time to ensure even heating.
3. Break a larger cluster of rice to avoid uneven cooking, wherein you will have hotter rice on the outside but cooler rice in the middle.
4. Heat at 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure no bacterial growth will occur during the cooling of the rice. It is recommended by the FDA that any food being reheated will be at this minimum temperature, and that includes rice.

How Do You Reheat Rice in The Microwave without Drying It Out?

The best way to reheat rice using a microwave will be to add 1 tablespoon of water depending on the amount of rice per cup you will reheat. The addition of water will help soften the dried rice and will still have that fluffy texture upon serving. You can also use other tools to help ensure achieve the desired quality of rice you wish to consume.

1. Using a paper towel

Wet or dampen a paper towel enough that it can be put on top of the container to cover the rice. This method will add moisture that will create steam by heating the insides of the container. Heat the rice for 2 minutes and check at every 30 seconds interval. It is best to serve rice when it is steaming hot and needs to be consumed immediately. An alternative to a paper towel is a damp cloth.

2. Using a plastic wrap

Always use a microwave-safe container for safety measures. Do not fully put rice up to the brim of the container but just enough to have room for steam to circulate during heating.

Cover the bowl using a plastic wrap and tightly wrap it until the middle of the container. Observe during heating how the wrap will expand as an indication that there is the presence of steam. This method can also be used to fix undercooked rice.

Take measures such as wearing mittens in removing the bowl inside the microwave because the steam or the heat inside that bowl can be hazardous and can seriously cause harm.

3. Using a glass of water

The last option, if there is no plastic wrap or paper towel available, just use a glass of half-full water. Heat the rice by serving or just placed it in a small bowl. Put the cup of rice and glass of water side by side and observe the water while heating. Water might splatter all over due to overheating or when it reaches the boiling point.

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How To Reheat Rice Pudding in the Microwave

Rice with milk, Arroz con leche is a popular Spanish-originated pricing pudding, but what if you have some left over. It does not matter if it has been boiled or baked when it was cooked. The reheating in the microwave follows the same technique. Leftover rice puddings that are warmed up in the microwave can make a quick and easy dessert. You can also use this method to prepare rice puddings in advance for a big group.

The best way to reheat a milk rice pudding rice using a microwave is to do it slowly in small bursts. If you have a large amount of rice pudding to reheat it will be best if you start by reducing the power of the microwave to around 50%.

The reason is microwaves typically do not heat or reheat food evenly, they try to accomplish even reheating by having a turning turnstile however you still get significant hot and cold spots in a short period of reheating.

Therefore prolonging the reheating period and also moving the plate after two minutes on medium power to another position will ensure that the leftover rice pudding becomes reheated evenly.

If the rice pudding looks a little dry you can add approximately 1 tablespoon of water per cup of rice pudding.

Then put the cup or bowl ( microwave safe) into the rotating microwave oven and set it for 90 seconds. After 90 seconds, evaluate whether it has reheated and stir the rice pudding with a teaspoon to mix it around.

Check it for the temperature it is currently reached after mixing and reinsert for another 30 seconds depending on your evaluation of the temperature.

Repeat until you are done. This also worked for rice puddings made with coconut milk.

How to Reheat Sticky Rice in The Microwave

Sticky rice is often referred to as glutinous rice or even sweet rice and is common throughout Asia.

 It has a wet sticky texture but can still be reheated in the microwave.

1. Because it is already quite moist, there is no need to add any water unless it has become very dry.
2. Place it in the microwave and heat for 60 seconds on 50% power.
3. Take it out and check what the temperature is and decide whether it needs a further period of microwaving.
4. If it is only lukewarm after 60 seconds, you may need to give it another 60 seconds on low power.
5. Then check the temperature again, followed by 30 to 60 seconds on high power, and you should have perfectly reheated glutenous rice.

Reheat Different Types of Rice

There are different types of rice in the market. There are white, brown, basmati, jasmine, sushi, and many more. These rice have different quality and texture and will vary in the way they are being cooked. They will also differ on how long they will be reheated. It is just important to reheat food at a minimum of 74 degrees Celsius and 165 degrees Fahrenheit. That is the safest temperature to reheat any food without the risk of food safety due to the growth of microorganisms that will lead to spoilage or even food poisoning.

Basmati and jasmine rice need to be reheated for 2 minutes. These are long grain rice which has a firmer and fluffier texture. It does not need longer minutes to be heated. Brown and wild rice need 3 to 4 minutes to recook. Sushi rice will be heated for 3 minutes. Also, instead of water, broths such as chicken, beef, or vegetable broths are good alternatives to add a little flavor to the rice. See how to season rice without using salt.

How to Reheat Risotto in A Microwave

Tradition must sometimes give way for convenience. I don’t have time to cook every day. Therefore I seldom prepare a meal for the day. I usually make a quantity of risotto big enough for the following day.

I reheat it in the microwave by adding a tiny bit of water and zapping it for a minute on medium. Then stir it about in the dish a little (my microwave isn’t great; there are evident hotspots) and if it’s dry, add another spritz of water. It’s ready after another minute of heating.

But it’s not quite the same as original risotto, often I add a little butter on the top for extra flavor – it is, however, really nice and a quick dinner, and I do not waste my leftover risotto.

How to Repurpose Rice The Is Leftover

Rice is cheap, versatile, and nutritious. But most people throw away leftovers because they just do not know how to do it. You can make lots of dishes with savory or sweet leftover rice – try our Indonesian Fried Rice Recipe.