Baked Rice is a tried & true, easy method for getting fluffy, perfectly cooked rice. This pantry staple side dish is hassle free and doesn’t leave a sticky mess on the stovetop.
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Do you CRINGE at the thought of making rice? Have you cooked it in a pot only to have rice stuck to the bottom?
Making a sticky mess on the stove top or digging out the rice cooker make you want to order take out? Me too! That’s why I love to bake my rice and enjoy it without all the stress.
Cooking Rice in the Oven
If you haven’t tried baking your rice you are in for a life-changing recipe. Some delicious benefits include:
- hands free
- hassle free
- minimal prep
- perfectly cooked rice grains
- easy clean up
- great for a crowd
- easily adaptable with veggies and stock
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What do you need for baked rice? The same as your regular rice recipe:)
Ingredients Needed
- uncooked white rice
- boiling water
- butter/olive oil
- covered oven safe baking dish
- salt if desired
What is the best rice for the oven?
Most kinds of rice can be baked but they require different amounts of liquid and cooking times.
This recipe works best for white rice. I prefer Uncle Ben’s converted rice but any long grain white rice will work for this recipe. Use your favorite!
Looking for more comfort food? Follow LTB on Pinterest!
How do you steam rice in the oven?
ONE: Place uncooked rice and butter in an oven proof baking dish with a tight fitting lid.
TWO: Bring water/broth to a boil in a separate dish. Gently pour boiling water over rice.
THREE: Stir to make sure the rice is evenly coated in the water and all the clumps are broken up. Cover tightly with lid. (Add a layer of foil if needed). Bake until the rice is tender, light, and fluffy. Enjoy!
For the full recipe and detailed baking instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.
How long does it take to cook rice?
Baking rice in the oven takes about thirty minutes, but it all depends on how much you are making.
Most pans won’t be good for anything over two cups of rice. That should be plenty. If not, then you will need a bigger oven safe casserole pan.
Brown rice takes longer than white rice so you will need to adjust the cooking time.
Can you reheat baked rice in the oven?
Did you make a large batch? You can reheat leftover rice easily in the oven.
Just add about 1/4 cup of water per two cups of rice. Stir and fluff. Tightly seal the container like when you initially baked it.
Bake 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Fluff and enjoy!
I like to use it to make a new fried rice dish and use up extra or leftover vegetables.
Tips for No Leftovers
When you bake rice in the oven, here are some tips to get the best rice!
Preheat the oven – start with a ready oven so cooking times are correct.
Boil the water – Make sure the water is boiling before adding to the rice so the cooking process starts right away.
Seal the baking dish – Keeping the steam in the dish is key or the water will evaporate before the rice finishes cooking. Adding a layer of aluminum foil under the lid will help keep steam from escaping if you have a loose lid.
Add some butter – The butter prevents the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. If you don’t want to use butter, then you can use olive oil instead or a light oil. You can leave out the butter altogether if you are watching calories and fat content but the rice may stick to the bottom of the pan.
Add extra flavor – I like to use chicken broth instead of water. This adds more flavor and richness. Spice mixes like Italian seasoning are also a fun addition.
Great for a crowd – When I cooked for 120 people at church I could easily make perfect rice without it being mushy and washing all those pots.
More Tips for the perfect rice
Add some veggies – For each cup of rice you can add 4-5 ounces of frozen or canned/drained veggies. My fave is green peas or pigeon peas.
Stir the rice – Once the boiling water is added you need to stir the rice before baking. I like to use a whisk to break up the rice grains. If they stay in a clump in the water they will be mushy.
Don’t rinse – Do not rinse the long grain white rice. The variety you buy for this recipe is already prepped. I prefer Uncle Ben’s converted rice.
White rice only – This recipe will not work for brown, sushi, or Basmati rice. Those varieties require different amounts of liquid and cooking times.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
Follow these tips and you will have fluffy rice that comes out perfect every time you need it. And in less than 30 minutes!
More Easy Dishes
Oven Baked Rice
Baked Rice is a TRIED & TRUE, easy method for getting FLUFFY, PERFECTLY COOKED and fluffy rice. This pantry staple side dish is hassle free and doesn't leave a sticky mess on the stovetop.
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain rice (Uncle Ben's)
- 3 1/2 cups boiling water
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Place uncooked rice and butter in an oven proof baking dish with a tight fitting lid.
- Bring water/broth to a boil in a separate dish.
- Gently pour boiling water over rice.
- Stir to make sure the rice is evenly coated in the water and all the clumps are broken up.
- Cover tightly with lid (Add a layer of foil if needed).
- Bake for 20 minutes or until light and fluffy. Enjoy!
Notes
- When you bake rice in the oven, here are some tips to get the best rice!
- Preheat the oven – start with a ready oven so cooking times are correct.
- Boil the water – Make sure the water is boiling before adding to the rice so the cooking process starts right away.
- Seal the baking dish – Keeping the steam in the dish is key or the water will evaporate before the rice finishes cooking. Adding a layer of aluminum foil under the lid will help keep steam from escaping if you have a loose lid.
Recommended Products
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my disclosure policy here.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/4 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 77Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 292mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.
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Janine Clarke
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Hi. In the recipe header it says 20 minute cook time, but in the instructions it says 30 minute cook time. Please advise which is correct. Thanks!
Jennifer
Thursday 4th of August 2022
Janine, I am so sorry for that typo! It should say 20 minutes. I find that if I seal it tightly, 20 minutes is the perfect time for fluffy rice. But I know that everyone's oven is different and it can also depend on the dish that you are baking the rice in. I would start with 20 and check it every 5 minutes after that until the rice is to the correct doneness. Thank you!
Kathleen
Tuesday 23rd of June 2020
I never knew you could bake rice, so I had to try, it turned out perfectly with no spillover!! Thanks!
Deb Clark
Sunday 21st of June 2020
I love how hassle free this is - I'll never make rice on the stovetop again - thank you!!!