Perfectly fluffy, delicious rice is a must-have for meals from grain bowls to biryani. So, what do you do when dinner is five minutes out and your rice is soft, starchy and mushy? Knowing how to fix mushy rice is an essential skill all home cooks should master. Not only will it save precious ingredients from the trash can, it can also save you from sitting down to a lackluster meal.
The next time life gives you mushy rice, clap back with one of these surefire fixes. Quick and easy, they’ll soon become second nature.
Why Rice Gets Mushy
Before you learn how to fix mushy rice, it’s important to understand what causes it in the first place. Instead of one specific culprit, many factors can lead to imperfect grains. Read on to learn the main reasons why rice becomes mushy.
- Measuring the water you use to cook your rice is vital. Using too much water can result in mushy grains, while too little water will leave rice undercooked. Different types of rice — including jasmine, brown and white — require different amounts of water to cook properly. For flawless results, it’s important to always follow the package directions.
- It’s also important to never lift the pot lid to peak at your rice as it cooks. Opening the pot can lower the heat and let steam escape, both of which can lead to mushy rice.
- When preparing certain dishes where separate grains are key (such as pilafs, salads, etc.) it’s important to rinse the grains before you cook them. This helps to remove the outer coating of starch, leading to lighter, fluffier rice.
- Keeping an eye on the clock is also essential when making rice. Overcooked rice has time to absorb more water and steam, which oversaturates the grains and can make them mushy.
How to Fix Mushy Rice on the Stove
If you’re wondering how to fix mushy rice on the stove, we’ve got your answer. First, check if there is excess moisture at the bottom of the pot and, if so, drain it off. Then, return the rice to the stove and cover it with a slice of bread.
Place the lid on the pot and cook the rice, over low heat, for 2-4 minutes. Remove the rice from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. The bread should absorb the excess moisture in the rice.
Refrigerator Method
It may sound surprising, but you can fix mushy rice in the fridge! Simply spread the rice onto a platter or baking tray. Then, place the tray into the fridge for 20 minutes. This will help to dry out the grains. Reheat the rice as necessary for your recipe.
Oven Method
One of the most popular ways to fix mushy rice is in the oven. To do so, simply preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, spread the rice out on a parchment paper-lined baking tray and bake for 10 minutes. If the rice still feels wet, bake for an additional 5-7 minutes.
How to Fix Mushy Rice in a Rice Cooker
You know how to cook rice in a rice cooker, but do you know how to fix mushy rice in a rice cooker? If there is water in the bottom of the pot when the rice is done cooking, start by draining it out. Then, continue to cook the rice, on low, until it is drier and separate.
How to Fix Mushy Rice in an Instant Pot
To fix mushy rice in an Instant Pot, drain any excess water left in the bottom of the pot. Then, continue to cook on low until the rice has dried out and is fully cooked. You can also transfer the rice to a steamer basket and use the “steam” function to dry out the rice and finalize the cooking.
Preventing Mushy Rice in the Future
Follow these steps, and you’ll never have to worry about mushy rice again!
- The key to avoiding mushy rice is to start by measuring the rice and water in order to use the correct rice-to-water ratio. It’s also important to check the package directions, as different types of rice require different amounts of water to cook properly. Jasmine rice, for example, requires 1 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice. Brown rice, on the other hand, needs 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
- It’s also important to set a timer when cooking rice. If you let rice cook for too long, it will continue to absorb moisture from the steam in the pot and go from marvelous to mushy!
- For fluffy, separate grains, you should definitely start by rinsing your rice. Rinsing rice in several changes of water removes excess starch from the grains. This can help rice cook up correctly, instead of becoming mushy. If you soak rice, be sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. Soaked rice needs less time to cook.
- No measure, no mess Success® Rice offers consistently delicious results, without the worry! With a variety of products on offer, including Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, Success® boil-in-bag white rice and more, there’s one for every recipe you can think of — no mushiness in sight.
Creative Ways to Repurpose Mushy Rice
Though you can easily fix mushy rice, you can also repurpose it in a recipe that calls for über-soft, tender grains. Great in casseroles, mushy rice can also be stirred into soups as a thickening agent. Added to pancakes or fritters, mushy rice adds heft and delicate flavor. It can also be used to make velvety rice pudding or layered dessert bowls. Read on for some of our favorite uses for mushy rice.
Simple Breakfast Burrito
Upgrade your typical morning (or dinnertime!) routine with these savory, satisfying breakfast burritos. Filled with sautéed sausage and golden hash browns, fluffy eggs, beans and Success® boil-in-bag white rice, these make for a hearty start, or end, to the day.
Apple and Brown Rice Cereal
Snuggle up to this warm bowl of sustenance on cold mornings, and you’ll feel ready to tackle anything the day throws your way! Brimming with crisp apples, cranberries and dried apricots, this dish is also made with Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, for plenty of whole-grain goodness.
Rice Cakes with Goat Cheese and Bacon
A dish you can serve at any time of day, these savory pancakes are an ideal home for mushy rice. Seasoned with goat cheese and cayenne, these white rice flapjacks are served with bacon and green onions, for a zesty finish. Make them small, and they’re perfect as an appetizer for a larger crowd.
Fruit and Granola Parfait
Mushy or not, brown rice will become your go-to for this energizing breakfast or midday snack. Simply mix your cooked rice with yogurt and fruit, then let it sit overnight. The next day, top each parfait with berries and granola. You’ll be amazed at how easy (and inexpensive!), it can be to eat well.
Cheesy Italian Leftover Rice Bake
Need to repurpose mushy rice into a delicious dinner? Then you’ll want to count casseroles among your best friends! In this zippy little number, white rice, creamy ricotta and eggs are combined with leftover vegetables, protein and pesto. Baked with oodles of cheese, until golden and bubbling, this dish delivers comfort and satisfaction in every bite.
Italian Spinach Rice Balls
Instead of looking at mushy rice as a nuisance, look at it as an opportunity to make these savory hand-held snacks! Golden and crunchy, they hide a filling of Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice, spinach, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and pesto. These are so popular, that you might want to double the recipe.
Easy Santa Fe Style Stuffed Peppers
A bag of Success® boil-in-bag brown rice is just the start of these simple but satisfying stuffed bell peppers. Loaded with seasoned beef, salsa, corn and cheese, they’re saucy, savory, a little bit spicy and utterly irresistible.
Pecan Praline Pumpkin Rice Pudding
Use any type of Success® Rice you have on hand to make this indulgent rice pudding recipe. Perfect for fall, it’s packed with pumpkin, spices, brown sugar and pecans, for an ultra-luxe take on the classic.
Old-Fashioned Baked Rice Pudding
Present the family with this warm, vanilla-scented rice pudding and nobody has to know that it all began with mushy rice! The easiest style of rice pudding to make, this one calls for Success® boil-in-bag white rice, eggs, milk, sugar and flavorings to be baked for 1 hour until creamy, tender and ready to be devoured.
Arroz Con Leche
They may so “no” to mushy rice but we’re willing to bet that your family will greet this treat with a resounding, “yes, please!” A dish that requires just five ingredients, this sweet stunner is ready in 30 minutes. Though we like it with Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, for its delicate aroma, it’s also delicious with other types of rice.
