Learn How to Reheat Fried Rice Perfectly

It’s amazing how good fried rice tastes when it’s done and ready to eat. The vegetables, shrimp, spices, and other many ingredients used to give it that appearance make one never want to throw it away or eat it cold. As a result, understanding how to reheat fried rice is essential.

Knowing that you can reheat fried foods and doing so correctly is why you should read this article to the end. It explains how to reheat your fried rice safely, what can happen if you don’t reheat rice on time, and more.

How to Reheat Fried Rice

Reheating your fried rice is simple. Nevertheless, you must be aware of the multiple techniques and, most significantly, the rice must have wetness before reheating to avoid drying out.

1. Pan Method

  • Put some oil or butter in a pan over medium-high heat.
  • To each cup of rice, add a tablespoon of water. The rice will dry by the steam.
  • Stir the rice until it is well cooked, and all the water has evaporated.

Another way is to refry fried rice altogether using the method below.

  • In a medium-high-heat pan, melt some butter or oil.
  • Fry any extra veggies or meat that will be added to the rice if desired.
  • Add the leftover fried rice and 1-2 tablespoons of water to each cup of rice.
  • Stir the rice until it has absorbed all the liquid.
  • Cover the pan with a lid until the steamy moisture condenses.
  • Remove the cover, increase the heat to high, and stir fry for another 4-5 minutes, or until well cooked.
  • Remove the rice from the heat after it has finished cooking, and serve at once.

2. Oven Method

  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and roast the fried rice in a casserole.
  • To the dish, add several teaspoons of broth or water. It should be enough to add moisture to your food without having the rice excessively sticky or soupy.
  • Place a cover over the dish to keep the grains from drying out.
  • Place the dish in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes to bake the rice.
  • When the timer goes off, remove the cover, and roast the rice for another 3 to 5 minutes. It also allows some of the rice’s steam to escape, preventing the rice from ever becoming excessively soggy.

3. Instant Pot Method

  • To do so, put the plate into the Instant Pot insert pot.
  • Pour some water into the added pot, then drop the dish onto the trivet and evenly distribute the rice in the water.
  • Finally, shut the vent and then use the Steam feature to heat the rice.

Note: Allow the steam to cool once the timer turns off before opening the pot to warm for not more than 5 minutes.

SEE: Here’s How to Reheat Scallops to Keep Them Fresh

4. Stovetop Method

  • In a large pan over high temperature, heat some oil or water.
  • Add the remaining rice to the pan after the liquid has heated up and stir regularly with a wooden spatula or spoon. It will help to distribute the heat evenly throughout the rice.
  • Cook the rice for at least 10 minutes over medium-high heat to achieve even cooking.

5. Microwave Method

  • Mix the fried rice and two tablespoons of your preferred liquid in a microwave-safe dish.
  • Keep the liquid contained in the bowl by covering it with a loose lid. Gently let some air escape the bowl.
  • Microwave the rice for 2 min on the highest setting.
  • Transfer the bowl to the microwave for another approximately 3 minutes, stirring the fried rice to distribute the heat.
  • Before eating, let the rice cool.

6. Air Fryer Method

  • In your air fryer, place the fried rice.
  • Cook the rice for around 8-10 mins on high, or until it’s scorching hot.
  • The time that it takes will decide how much remaining rice you have.
  • Allow the rice to cool slightly before eating.

How to Reheat Fried Rice Balls

If you wish to reheat fried rice balls, use the oven method. It allows the rice balls to bake properly and remain together.

  • Begin by heating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Arrange the rice ball on a prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake the rice ball for 20 to 25 minutes if it is not frozen; 40 to 45 minutes if it is frozen.

SEE: At What Griddle Temp Can You Make Pancakes?

Why Do You Need to Reheat Fried Rice?

One of the main reasons you need to reheat fried rice is because of Bacillus cereus. These are spores found in uncooked rice, which can cause food poisoning. When you cook rice, the spores can survive.

The spores in rice can develop into bacteria if kept at room temperature. These bacteria will grow and generate toxins (poisons) that induce vomiting and diarrhea.

As a result, you should always reheat any rice-based dishes before eating them. A dish with a lot of components, such as fried rice, requires more warmth.

SEE: The Benefits And Side Effects Of Eating Rice Every Day

Is It Safe to Eat Reheated Fried Rice?

Yes, it is. Rice, however, is more hazardous than other leftover meals because it may have germs called Bacillus cereus, which can survive various cooking techniques. Contamination in reheated or cooked rice is from a bacterium.

FAQs

Can you get food poisoning from reheating fried rice?

Yes, eating reheated rice can cause food sickness. The issue is not with the heating, but with how the rice was stored before it was warmed.

SEE: A Food Thermometer Guide for Those Who Take Food Safety Seriously

How common is Bacillus cereus in rice?

Bacillus cereus is a toxin-producing bacteria that causes “fried rice syndrome,” or food poisoning. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology in 2019, there are around 63,000 cases of B. cereus food poisoning in the United States each year.

How do you know when fried rice is bad?

If the rice has an unusual odor, flavor, or appearance, it should be discarded. Of course, if the rice has mold on it, it’s time to throw it out.

Is it safe to reheat egg-fried rice?

Yes, you may safely heat boiling rice, fried rice, risotto, egg fried rice, or any other meal including cooked rice, if it was not left at room temperature for more than two hours before being chilled and refrigerated.

How do you reheat fried rice from the fridge?

Put your microwave to 50 percent energy and cook the rice for up to 2 minutes in 30-second increments.

For each cup of rice, add a tablespoon of water and flavor with butter or oil, if preferred. Stir the rice every 30 seconds. Reheating fried rice in the microwave is by far the most practical choice.

Conclusion

Due to the components in fried rice, it is necessary to reheat it. Using the microwave is the quickest choice for getting things done quickly. Although, you should moisten the rice a little to prevent it from becoming too crispy or overdone.

Furthermore, you must reheat your fried rice since, unlike other dishes, rice holds bacteria that can cause disease if not cooked properly.

Moreover, if you have extra rice, make sure it’s frozen so bacteria don’t develop before you can say, “Jack Robinson.”

Thanks for reading.

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