To fix mushy rice, there are several effective methods depending on how wet and mushy the rice is:
- Slightly Mushy Rice (Drying in Fridge):
- Spread the rice thinly on a plate or parchment paper-lined sheet pan.
- Place it in the fridge for about 20 minutes or longer until the excess moisture dries out.
- Reheat the dried rice in the microwave covered with a towel until warmed through.
- Super Wet and Mushy Rice (Oven Drying):
- Preheat oven to about 325-350°F.
- Rinse the rice under cold water in a strainer to remove excess starch and drain well.
- Spread the rice in a thin, even layer (no thicker than ⅛ inch) on parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in 5-minute increments, checking until the rice is dried enough and no longer mushy (usually 5-10 minutes).
- Alternative Quick Fixes:
- Heat the rice on low in a pot with slices of bread on top; the bread will absorb moisture.
- Fix slightly soggy rice in the microwave uncovered, checking every 30 seconds to dry it out.
- Use salt placed in a small bowl inside the pot to absorb extra moisture.
If mushy rice cannot be rescued, repurposing it into rice pudding, porridge, or soups is a great option. Overall, the best practice is to avoid overcooking and using too much water when initially cooking rice. But these methods can save a batch of mushy rice successfully.
