Rice is a staple in most college students' diets, and for a good reason. It's affordable, good for you, and available at nearly every take out food place. However, there are few things less appealing than dried out and stale leftover rice. Before you toss out your old rice, try one of these ways to reheat rice in the microwave without drying it out. Here's how to reheat rice in the microwave like a pro.

#SpoonTip: Make sure that you only reheat rice that was refrigerated soon after cooking it, as rice that is left at room temperature can quickly develop bacteria.

1. Reheat with a Paper Towel

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:2 mins
  • Total Time:7 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 plate
  • 1 cup leftover rice
  • 1-2 Tbl water
  • Paper towels
coffee, beer, tea
Rebecca Block
  • Step 1

    Pour rice evenly onto a flat plate.

    cereal, rice, wheat, brown rice, risotto, porridge
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 2

    Lightly dampen a paper towel and lay it over the rice

    Shea McCollum
  • Step 3

    Microwave the rice for two minutes, or until the rice is evenly heated.

    coffee, espresso, beer, tea
    Shea McCollum

2. Reheat with Plastic Wrap

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:4 mins
  • Total Time:9 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 cup leftover rice
  • 3-4 Tbl water or chicken broth
  • plastic wrap
  • towel or kitchen gloves
rice, cereal, risotto
Jocelyn Hsu
  • Step 1

    Pour leftover rice into a big bowl, leaving adequate some space for steam to collect.

    cereal, rice, wheat, sesame seed, brown rice
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 2

    Add 3-4 Tablespoons of water, or use chicken broth instead to add a little extra flavor

    cereal, rice, wheat, corn, porridge, oatmeal, buckwheat
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 3

    Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and microwave on low for a few minutes, or until the plastic starts to balloon up with steam.

    rice, cereal, oatmeal
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 4

    Take off the plastic wrap, making sure to use gloves or a kitchen towel so as to not burn yourself with the steam

    candy, tea
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 5

    Stir the rice until the heat is distributed evenly and enjoy!

    cereal, rice, risotto, wheat, porridge, oatmeal, corn
    Shea McCollum

3. Reheat with a Glass of Water

  • Prep Time:5 mins
  • Cook Time:2 mins
  • Total Time:7 mins
  • Servings:1
  • Easy

    Ingredients

  • 1 bowl or plate
  • 1 cup leftover rice
  • 1 glass
  • 2/3 cup water
coffee, pizza, beer, cake
Tanya Soni
  • Step 1

    Place your leftover rice in a microwave safe bowl or plate.

    cereal, rice, wheat, brown rice, risotto, porridge
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 2

    Fill an 8 ounce glass with 2/3 cup of water.

    tea, beer, coffee
    Shea McCollum
  • Step 3

    Microwave the water and the rice together for 2 minutes or until the rice is evenly heated.

    coffee, tea, beans
    Shea McCollum

I hope that you found these tips on how to reheat rice in the microwave without drying it out useful and that they inspire you to use your leftover rice creatively