How to Safely Reheat Leftover Rice in the Microwave (Without Drying It Out)

Before we dive into the topic of the day, how to reheat rice in the microwave, we’re happy to clear up a food safety myth we’ve heard swirling around on TikTok. Yes, it’s safe to save and reheat leftover rice as long as it is done properly. (Cue the collective sigh of relief for all of our fellow meal prep fans and those who despise wasting takeout leftovers!)

Ahead, we’ll explain how to safely store cooked rice to reduce your risk for food poisoning. Then we’ll dig into how to heat up rice in the microwave; the quickest and most convenient option for many home cooks. If you don’t own that appliance or prefer other strategies, stay tuned for other ways to reheat rice, including some sweet and savory rice recipes that will show you how to reheat and transform that rice into something new all at once.

Is Leftover Rice Safe to Eat?

Food poisoning from leftover rice is a real thing, but it's rare and generally only occurs when the cooked rice is stored improperly. Uncooked rice may contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. The spores can survive through the cooking process. If the leftover cooked rice doesn’t chill out rapidly enough, the spores can grow into bacteria, multiply, and potentially create enough toxins to make you sick when you return for round two.

By the way, Bacillus cereus spores are present in some soil, which means they can also be found in other foods like pasta, dairy products, meat, seafood, fresh vegetables, spices, and cereal. So rice is far from the only potential food safety situation you should pay attention to. The leftover rice safety debate arose because it is susceptible to being mishandled.

How to Store Cooked Rice Safely

After you’ve cooked your rice—or enjoyed your restaurant-prepared rice—cool them as quickly as possible to limit the amount of time they’re in the “danger zone” of 40° to 140° F, where bacteria can multiply.

That being said, “you want to make sure that your rice is cooled down before attempting to store it. Trapping unnecessary heat can create condensation and turn the rice a little gooey,” Segneri says.

To speed up the cooling process, divide the cooked rice into shallow food containers, then transfer them to the refrigerator. It’s wise to check your fridge’s temperature to ensure it’s at or below 40° F. Once the rice is completely cooled, seal the tops with a lid. This will prevent excess condensation from building up. 

If you don’t plan to use the leftover rice in the next few days, label and date the container and pop it into the freezer. Otherwise, keep them in the fridge to return to and reheat.

How to Reheat Leftover Rice in the Microwave

In case you were curious, as long as it was cooled and stored appropriately, it’s A-OK and safe to eat leftover rice straight from the refrigerator if you like.

Otherwise, here’s how to reheat leftover rice in the microwave: 

• Transfer your stored rice into a shallow bowl.
• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice on top of the grains. (Or try one Tiktok hack that actually works: Use one average ice cube, the equivalent of 2 tablespoons of water, for each cup of rice if you don’t feel like measuring the water.)
• Cover the moistened rice with a damp paper towel or a piece of microwave-safe plastic wrap with a corner turned back to allow steam to vent.
• Microwave for 1 minute, then remove the paper towel or plastic wrap so you can fluff and stir the rice with a fork to ensure the rice reheats evenly.
• Replace the cover and heat on high for 1 more minute. Repeat the heat-stir combination, using a clean instant-read thermometer to check every interval 2 minutes and beyond. 
• Once the rice has reached 165 °F, the USDA deems it safe to eat.

Add desired seasonings, such as spice blends or soy sauce, at any point if you'd like to perk up the flavor.

“The microwave heats the water molecules in the contents of the food to the point of boiling and creating steam,” Segneri reminds us. “The steam is hotter than boiling water, so open the microwave door and let the steam escape before you attempt to pick up the dish.”

Wear oven mitts or use a kitchen towel to hold the dish to avoid burns, as “the microwave gets much hotter than you think,” he adds.

Test Kitchen Tip: The process remains the same whether you’re reheating white, brown, wild, black, red, arborio, jasmine, sushi, or any other kind of rice. The total reheating time may vary slightly, but you’ll know the grains are ready once they’ve hit 165 °F.

How Long Does Leftover Rice Last?

As long as rice has been refrigerated within 2 hours after cooking, leftover rice can be safely refrigerated for 4 to 6 days, Carothers confirms. Aim to use leftover frozen rice within 3 to 4 months.

5 Other Ways to Reheat Rice

Now that you know how to reheat rice in a microwave, you’re all set to employ the quickest and easiest method for how to go with the grain a second time around. Now grain bowls and a side dish for curry, fajitas, butter chicken, and beyond can be mere minutes away. 

This isn’t your only option for bringing cold rice back to life, though. If you prefer, reheat rice by:

• Steaming it in a pan with water. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, warm 1 tablespoon of butter or oil. Add the rice and 1 to 2 tablespoons of water (or an ice cube) per cup of rice. Add the lid. Remove the lid to stir every couple minutes, and to check the temp with an instant-read thermometer. Once it reaches 165 °F, you’re golden.
• Stir-frying it with oil. In a large skillet or wok over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the rice, use a heat-safe spatula or wooden spoon to break up any clumps and coat the grains evenly in oil. Heat until the rice reads 165 °F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Transforming it into fried rice. According to Segneri, “it’s the ultimate leftover meal and tastes brand new. The day after is when the rice is at its best texture and it helps to bring the flavors together.” Our Best-Loved Fried Rice recipe will walk you through every step.
• Making a batch of rice pudding. Leftover rice gives you a head start on silky and rich homemade rice pudding. Learn how to make slow cooker rice pudding with leftover white, red, or brown rice.
• Using it as stuffing. You can also reheat your rice inside another vessel, such as a mushroom cap or the cavity of a squash. Try our Gluten-Free Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Cranberries and Pancetta the next time you have 2 cups of cooked and cooked brown or wild rice for what one BHG home cook says is “an amazingly flavorful meal that warms the soul.”