Can I reheat egg fried rice?

You can reheat egg fried rice or any other dish containing cooked rice. Fried rice can be a little delicate, and overheating it the wrong way leaves you with dried-out, bland grains. It should not stand for more than two hours at room temperature before cooling and refrigeration. 

Store the fried rice in a shallow airtight container in the refrigerator and consume the fried rice within 3-4 days. Do not leave your fried rice at room temperature for longer than an hour, keeping you safe from bacteria. For more tips and instructions, follow the methods below.

Microwave

The microwave is the most convenient way to reheat fried rice. When using the microwave on fried rice, heat it on 50% power for the best results. The rice lacks crispiness, but it will still taste great. 

Stirring the rice avoids cold spots, and the 1-minute resting time allows the heat and moisture to distribute throughout the rice. The power depends on the type of microwave. Full power still works. It takes a minute, but the rice becomes fluffier. 

The fried rice reheated on 100% power loses its crispy texture and may be overcooked. A microwave is ideal for reheating fried rice at work or in a hurry, but if you have time, the frying method delivers the best results.

Steps

1. Set your microwave to 50% power.
2. Put butter or oil on top of the fried rice if you want.
3. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water for each cup of rice.
4. Cover the fried rice with a wet paper towel or pierced plastic wrap.
5. Microwave in 30 seconds increments, stirring constantly.
6. Heat the rice for 1-2 minutes.
7. Leave the rice to rest for one minute before serving.

Oven

The oven method still gives tasty rice but cannot be matched with frying. It bakes rice, then fry. If you have loads of fried rice to reheat, that can be in one batch. 

Try adding a sauce to the rice for a sticky, delicious dish (savorthebest.com). The sauce will thicken in the oven and coat the rice. The less rice you have, the less time you take in the oven. Remove the foil for the last few minutes of cooking for a dry, crispy crunch. The rice will take on a softer texture than the crispy one. 

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Spread the rice out evenly in an oven-proof dish.
3. Add any sauce if you want.
4. Spritz the rice with a light coating of water.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 5-10 minutes. Add time if not heated.
6. Take the cover off the rice for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking for a lightly crusted top.
7. Serve.

Best method

The best way to reheat egg fried rice is by frying it. Add oil or butter to a pan and keep it on medium-high heat. A continuous stir leaves the rice is well- heated. Adding water gives out the steam that will rehydrate the rice. Re-frying the rice is the best way to make it crunchy. It will return your rice to its original form and taste.

On the stove, you can stir-fry or steam frying. Steam frying involves adding some water into the pan to help rehydrate the rice.  Steam frying is a healthy way of frying food (cookinfo.com), and adding water when refrying rice prevents the dish from drying up and overcooking. Reheating the fried rice by frying it allows you to add new ingredients such as extra meat or veggies.  

Add extra seasonings like soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, or pepper. Frying rice gives you the tastiest dish with the best texture. Choose to keep the original flavor or make it better.

Steps

1. Put some oil or butter in a pan and heat it to medium-high heat.
2. Fry any vegetables or meat you want to add to the rice.
3. Add the leftover fried rice with 1-2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice.
4. Stir the rice until the added water has mixed in.
5. Put a lid on the pan until the water stops steaming.
6. Take the lid off, increase the heat to high, and stir fry for 4-5 minutes. If not heated enough, add more heating time.
7. Stir continuously.
8. Once the rice has heated, take it off the heat and serve.

Storage

Keep your fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze, using a shallow container so the rice can cool down quickly. When freezing the rice, use a heavy-duty freezer bag with all the air squeezed out. Cool the rice without leaving it at room temperature because bacteria can multiply a room temperature quickly. Transfer any takeaway rice to another container before refrigerating it. Refrigerate as soon as you leave leftovers.

Safe Temperatures

Reheat the rice until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on your food thermometer. It is the standard heat that keeps your rice safe from bacteria as well as burning.  

FAQs

How to thaw fried rice?

To thaw fried rice, you have two options. Leave it in the refrigerator overnight or reheat the rice straight from frozen in the microwave.

How long does fried rice last?

Fried rice will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator, and make sure you store it in an airtight container. Fried rice with eggs, watery vegetables, or meat does not last longer than plain fried rice. Consume it as fast as you can.  In the freezer, fried rice starts deteriorating its quality over four months.

How to tell if fried rice has gone bad?

Look out for texture and smell. If the rice has gone super hard, it has been in the fridge for too long. Throw it out even when it smells of anything other than fried rice.

Can I eat cold rice?

Cold rice is safe to eat if handled and stored correctly. Keep the rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and make sure to put it in the fridge within an hour to prevent any harmful bacteria from growing.