Can You Soften Cooked Rice in the Microwave?

If you’ve ever had the experience of reheating leftover rice only to find it hard and dry, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick to revive your cooked rice and make it soft and fluffy again using your microwave.

How to Soften Cooked Rice in the Microwave

To soften cooked rice in the microwave, follow these steps:

Place the rice in a microwave-safe bowl, breaking up any large clumps with a fork.
Sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of water per cup of rice over the top. The amount of water may vary depending on the type of rice, with stickier varieties needing less and drier varieties needing more.
Cover the bowl with a wet paper towel, making sure it’s not touching the rice.
Microwave the rice on high for 1-3 minutes, depending on the amount of rice. For frozen rice, double the time.
Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and take off the wet paper towel. The rice should now be soft and fluffy.

The key to this method is the wet paper towel. As the rice heats up, the water in the towel turns to steam, which is absorbed by the rice, making it soft and moist again.

It’s important to note that this method works best for small portions of rice. If you’re reheating a large quantity, it may be better to use the stovetop or oven method.

Other Methods for Softening Cooked Rice

While the microwave method is quick and convenient, there are a couple of other ways to soften cooked rice:

Stovetop: Place the rice in a shallow saucepan, sprinkle with water, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and heat on low until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread the rice in an even layer on a baking tray, sprinkle with water, cover with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to add a bit of water to the rice before reheating. This helps create the steam needed to soften the grains.