How to Cook Rice in the Oven

Isabella Cannon

| 1 min read

Cooking rice in the oven is a great alternative when you are using the stovetop to prepare other parts of your meal. Rice baked in the oven cooks evenly, so you won't end up with burnt rice stuck to the bottom of your pot. Another advantage to cooking rice in the oven is that you can cook it in larger batches and save it for meals later.
You can cook any type of rice in the oven, including long-grain, short-grain, jasmine rice or brown rice. The amount of water and cooking time may slightly vary depending on rice type.

How to Oven Bake Rice

Total Time:

40 minutes

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Easy

Serving Amount
Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked rice

  • 2 cups water or broth

  • salt, if desired

  • butter, if desired

Instructions
  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking dish with butter or oil if desired.

  • Step 2

    Bring your water to a boil on the stovetop. Use 2 cups of water or broth for every 1 cup of rice you are planning to use. Add salt to the mixture according to preference and health needs.

  • Step 3

    Rinse the rice with cool water in a strainer or colander to remove excess starch. Hold the strainer under cold running water and stir the rice with your hand. Then, continue rinsing until the water runs clear. This may take several minutes.

  • Step 4

    After your water is boiling, combine the water and rice in the dish and cover it either with a lid or wrap it tightly in piece of tin foil before transferring it into the oven.

  • Step 5

    Bake the dish for about 20 to 25 minutes. The water should be primarily absorbed when finished. You may need to leave the rice in the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes depending on the rice type and amount of rice.

  • Step 6

    After most of the water is cooked out, remove the dish from the oven and let sit for another 5 to 10 minutes until the water is fully absorbed.

  • Step 7

    Carefully uncover your lid or foil and fluff rice with a fork before serving. Add any seasonings, salt or butter as desired.

How to Store Leftover Rice

When storing cooked rice, follow these tips to ensure a safe meal:
  • Let the rice cool
  • Use a tightly sealed container
  • Store in the refrigerator
  • Use within four days or freeze for up to one month
Image: Getty Images
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