How to Cook Rice in a Microwave

Cooking rice in a microwave is a quick and convenient method. Here’s a simple guide to help you cook rice in a microwave:

Ingredients

• 1 cup of rice (white or brown)
• 2 cups of water
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

1. Rinse the rice

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming too sticky.

2. Add water

Place the rinsed rice in a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2 cups of water to the bowl. If you like, add a pinch of salt for flavour.

3. Cover the bowl

Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or use microwave-safe plastic wrap. If using plastic wrap, make sure to leave a small vent for steam to escape.

4. Microwave

Microwave on high for 10-15 minutes, depending on your microwave’s wattage. Check the cooking time recommended on the rice package and adjust accordingly.
Note, white rice usually takes less time to cook than brown rice.

5. Let it rest

Once the microwave timer goes off, let the rice sit in the microwave for an additional five minutes. This allows the steam to continue cooking the rice and makes it fluffier.

6. Fluff the rice

Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot), and use a fork to fluff the rice. This helps separate the grains.

7. Serve

Your microwave-cooked rice is now ready to be served. You can enjoy it as a side dish or as a base for other dishes.

Keep in mind that microwave cooking times may vary, so it’s a good idea to monitor the rice as it cooks to prevent it from boiling over. Additionally, you may need to adjust the water or cooking time based on your specific type of rice and personal preferences.

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About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.