How to fix undercooked rice in the microwave

Rice should be one of the easiest things to cook, but it’s often the only part of a meal we mess up! For something so simple, it doesn’t take much for the rice to be undercooked or overcooked.

Rice cooked on the stove usually ends in disaster, but if you have taken the rice off the stove and it is only rare, it can be saved.

Not much to say about mushy, overcooked rice, but with undercooked rice, you can microwave it to save it.

How do you fix undercooked rice in the microwave?

To fix undercooked rice in the microwave, add extra water to the rice in a bowl, cover with a paper towel, and microwave for up to 2 minutes. Avoid putting the rice back on the heat.

When you know how to fix undercooked rice in the microwave, you no longer have to eat hard, wrinkled rice or end up throwing away the whole batch.

If the rest of the food is done, but the rice is undercooked, you can fix it with a few simple steps in the microwave.

It doesn’t matter if you cook the rice on the stove or in the microwave first, it can all be fixed in the same place.

Here’s exactly how to fix undercooked rice in the microwave:

1. If the rice was cooked on the stove, pour it into a microwave-safe bowl. If the rice was cooked in a microwave-safe bowl, you can leave it there.
2. Moisten two paper towels, squeezing out a little of the water. The paper towels should be more than just damp, but not soggy.
3. Place the paper towels over the bowl of rice and place it in the microwave.
4. Microwave for 2 minutes.
5. Take the bowl of rice out of the microwave.
6. Remove the kitchen paper from the top of the bowl, but again, be careful as the kitchen paper will be very hot.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork and it’s ready to serve.

The moist paper towels that cover the rice act as a steam mechanism to cook it further.

The extra water from the paper towels allows the rice to have more moisture, making the rice light and fluffy, and because the paper towels cover the rice, the moisture can’t escape while the rice steams.

Microwave Rice Steamers

If you want to avoid having to microwave your rice by using a microwave-safe bowl and some paper towels, you can buy a microwave rice steamer.

They do pretty much the same thing as a bowl and wet paper towels, but more effectively. Also, they are much easier to use.

Having a microwave rice steamer is one of the best tools you can have in the kitchen, and if you do it right, you’ll never have undercooked rice again!

These steamers can also be used to fix undercooked rice that you have prepared in the kitchen: just follow the same instructions, with a little less water and a little less cooking time.

Here are some of our favorite microwave rice cookers/steamers:

1. Progressive International Microwave Rice Cooker

This 4-piece set prepares perfect steamed rice in just a few minutes. You can cook all types of rice to perfection in just a few minutes in the microwave.

Kit includes rice cooker with locking lid, rice paddle, measuring cup, and additional cooking instructions. You can prepare up to 6 cups of rice in a few minutes.

The non-stick surface makes cleaning the pot quick and easy, and it’s made from BPA-free material and is fully dishwasher safe.

2. Homestyle Microwave Rice Steamer

This is the ultimate little rice steamer to have on hand to cook rice or fix undercooked rice in a jiffy. It’s portable and perfect for steaming rice on the go, even in the office at work.

The Microwave Rice Steamer optimizes heat distribution and gradually releases steam to ensure rice cooks to the right temperature and everything cooks evenly. It has a total capacity of 2.6 L, so you decide the portion of rice you want to cook.

Made of durable BPA-free plastic, it can also be washed in the dishwasher and is very easy to clean.

It comes with a handy rice spoon and is not only ideal for cooking rice in no time, but also for reheating leftover rice from the previous meal.

3. New Tupperware Microwave Rice Cooker

This perfect little rice cooker will provide you with the most delicious rice every time, you will never have to worry about undercooked or mushy rice again.

You can cook almost any type of rice quickly and easily, and even better: no mess. Many swear by the New Tupperware Microwave Rice Cooker, and for good reason. You can also use the small steamer to store the rice in the fridge until you are ready to reheat it again in the microwave.

Dishwasher safe and incredibly easy to clean. Never worry about scraping rice from the bottom of the pan again. Simply cook rice from scratch, or finish cooking rare rice with this handy cookware.

Common mistakes when cooking rice

There are many different mistakes you can make when cooking rice, and even the smallest misstep can result in quite inedible rice. Undercooked rice is one of the most common results, but there are a few more.

Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:

burnt background

If you cook rice in a pot that is too hot, it will surely burn the bottom and you will spend hours trying to scrub the pot.

The easiest way to avoid this is to turn the burner to the lowest setting when cooking rice, for at least the last third of cooking, or longer.

It is the steam that cooks the rice, not the burner. Make sure you use a heavy-bottomed pot, as a thin-bottomed pot will expose the rice to too much heat.

soft rice

Soft rice may be caused by an incorrect ratio of rice and water.

Here is a practical guide to the amount of water you need depending on the type of rice :

• 1 ½ cups of water to 1 cup of short-grain white rice.
• 1 ¾ cup of water for 1 cup of long grain white rice.
• 2 cups of water for 1 cup of brown rice.

Follow these guidelines to ensure that the rice has enough water to steam.

Crispy rice

To prevent the rice from getting crispy, make sure the lid is closed tightly. If it is not closed tightly, steam will escape from the pot and it will not cook the rice well. Keep a kitchen towel between the pot and the lid to prevent steam from escaping.

lumpy rice

White rice can become cakey quickly.

To prevent this, rinse uncooked white rice in water. White rice can be rubbed on the packet and the starch comes off as a fine powder.

When this powder comes into contact with water, it can become sticky and make the rice slimy. Rinsing white rice before cooking removes the starchy dust.

Related questions

How do I prevent rice from undercooking?

The best way to prevent undercooked rice is to ensure the lid is closed tightly so that no steam escapes, ensuring that all the steam is used to thoroughly cook the rice.

You should also make sure that there is enough water in the pot so that the rice cooks evenly, and that you do not remove the rice from the heat too soon.

How do I prevent rice from cooking unevenly?

To prevent the rice from cooking unevenly, you should let it rest.

Avoid sinking your teeth into the rice as soon as it’s done, and instead let it sit for up to 15 minutes off the heat. This allows the heat to be distributed evenly and the rice to cook more evenly.

Why is my rice bland?

The reason is simple: you have not seasoned the rice.

To avoid bland rice, add a little olive oil or butter, as well as a little salt when cooking. You can also substitute plain water for meat, vegetable or chicken broth.

You can also cook the rice with onion, garlic or other ingredients to give it more flavor. Or you can always make a curry or sauce to go with it. Think that cooked rice is an ingredient like any other; you can add or dress it however you want!

How to Fix Undercooked Rice in the Microwave - Review

Fear not, your undercooked rice can easily be fixed using a quick and easy method in the microwave. A microwave-safe plate and some damp paper towels will help you fully cook the rice.

You should also consider buying a microwave rice steamer, to avoid any rice mishaps in the future, and to keep on hand if you ever need a quick and easy way to fix undercooked rice in the microwave.

They are great little gadgets to have in the kitchen.