How To Reheat Rice Without A Microwave
You can still reheat leftover rice whether it is a homecooked rice or rice take out from the restaurants. The simplest way to reheat rice and perhaps the popular way is using the microwave not only with leftover rice but with other leftover dishes as well, reheating can be easy with a microwave. But there are instances when a household does not have one or you do not have access to a microwave. Not to worry as there are other ways that you can do to reheat rice. In today’s guide, we will show you different methods on how to reheat rice without a microwave.
How To Reheat Rice Without A Microwave
Similar to other dishes, the texture of the rice will differ when reheated. It can either lose its moisture and often clumps are formed. But with the proper storage and reheating it properly, the texture of the rice will still be fluffy.
Before we proceed with the different methods of reheating leftover rice, it is best to know how to store it properly.
- Leftover rice should be stored using an airtight container, this will the grains of rice maintain its texture.
- Before storing the rice, make sure it is cool down.
- Refrigerated rice or cooked rice placed in the refrigerator should be eaten within 4 days
- If you plan to freeze rice, make sure to label it well. Extra air should be removed when using labeled bags.
- Frozen rice that was placed in the refrigerator overnight should be thawed or you can reheat by using the different methods of reheating rice.
How to Store rice in the Fridge
Listed below are the different methods that you can do to reheat rice if you do not have a microwave at home: On a stovetop, the oven, instant pot and Toaster Oven.
Reheat Rice on the stovetop
For reheating rice using the stovetop method, a skillet with a lid or a shallow pot should be used. Using the stovetop method is an easy and quick way to reheat leftover rice by simply adding a little water to create steam.
- Get rice from the fridge and allow to rest at room temperature.
- Add the rice to the pan or pot.
- Add 1 tbsp. of water for every cup of rice. If at some point the rice are in clumps, use a fork to break clumps of rice.
- Put sauce pan or shallow pot on the stovetop.
Stovetop should be on low to medium heat
- Cover the pan to simmer rice for about 2 to 4 minutes. The lid helps create steam that helps moisturizing the rice to have a fluffy texture.
- After 2 minutes, open lid and check on rice. Softly stir the rice and also break clumps if there are still any present.
- Once rice is hot enough, remove pan from heat while steaming.
- Serve and enjoy
Reheat rice in the oven
For small batch of leftover rice, the microwave is usually used to reheat the rice but at the event that microwave is not available you can still use the oven to reheat your rice especially if the rice you are heating is good for more than 1 person, it lets you prepare rice for multiple servings.
When using the oven to reheat cooked rice, you will be needing an aluminum foil and an oven safe dish.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- On a baking tray or dish, evenly spread cooked rice. Gently break clumps if there are any using a fork.
- Splash at least 1 or 2 tablespoons of water per 1 cup of cooked rice on the surface.
- Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil. The foil helps with the steam allowing it to moisturize the rice.
- Place in oven and bake for at least 20 minutes under 300 degrees Fahrenheit or if you think rice is warm enough for you
- Serve and enjoy
Reheat rice in the Instant Pot
Instant pot can also be used to reheat leftover foods. Most people prefer to reheat rice in an instant pot rather than in a stovetop or microwave because with Instant pot, reheated rice is much more fluffy and tastes good too.
You will be needing a heatproof fish when using this method.
- Put rice in a heatproof dish.
- Place the instant pot trivet inside the pot.
- Pour at least 1 -2 cups of water
- Place rice dish on the instant pot trivet. If you see any rice clumps, break them off by using a fork/
- Reheat Rice in on the instant pot uncovered. A steam will be produced by the pressure cooker, and that steam helps in keeping the rice moist that results in a fluffy rice.
- Put lid on, the vent should also be closed. With the instant pot, there is a steam function button that you need to press to start reheating.
- Initial timer should be at least 4-5 minutes, after which release the steam. If there are lots of rice to reheat and still cold to start reheating it, add at least 3 minutes to the usual time.
- Serve and Enjoy.
Reheat rice making it a stir fry
Leftover rice can be made into a whole new dish by stir frying cooked rice.
- Under medium heat, pour oil in the pan or work.
- Remove the rice from the refrigerator and then add to the heated wok with oil.
- Stir occasionally until rice if heated enough (3-5 minutes)
- Add protein rich vegetables and stir to mix.
- Cooking and stir fry rice until heated enough.
- Serve and Enjoy.
There are several rice dishes that is also good for reheating or rewarming such as:
Stuffed peppers
If you want to add flavor to the leftover rice, you can simply add some pepper to add spices to its flavor. Additional ingredients includes sausage, ground beef, and vegetables that are stuffed. Mix with bell peppers and bake for at least 45 minutes over an oven that was preheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fried Rice
It is very easy to make fried rice, all you need to do is to heat oil (vegetable or canola) using a large wok or a frying pan. The size of the wok and frying pan to use depends on the amount of leftover rice to reheat.
Pao Fan
You can also use leftovers rice for congee dish, since it is a porridge that is actually made from rice. The dish Pao Fan simply means rice that is soaked in water. Making Pao Fan is very easy, i a bowl with cold rice, add hot water or broth. The hot water allows to steam the rice and helps loosen the rice. Then you can add meat, seafood and vegetables of choice.
FAQs
Yes, you can place rice in the freezer. Frozen rice can lasts up to 3 months.
Reheating does not cause food poisoning but rather how the rice is stored perhaps can cause it. When rice is left at room temperature for more than an hour, the spores (Bacillus Cereus) will starts to grow and will multiply. As a result, toxins will be produced that can cause food poisoning.
Therefore, the longer the cooked rice is left to stand at room temperature the more it will have toxins.
Conclusion
Reheating rice is easy using the different methods mentioned above and reheated rice can still be enjoyed either as a side dish or as a main dish. Though it is important to keep in mind to now reheat the rice more than once. To refrain from producing waste of rice, you must only reheat the amount of rice that you will only consume. If at some point, there is an extra reheated rice, you can be creative and turn it into other dishes such as fried rice and other rice dishes.
With the different method of reheating, you will not longer have to work about wasting food but rather enjoying a reheated rice with the same fluffy texture as that of a newly cooked rice.
Try these methods for reheating the rice and let us know what you think.
