Cooking Hacks

This Foolproof Method of Making Rice Is Easier Than Using Your Stovetop

Baked rice is the cooking hack you've been waiting for.

We’ve all got our tried-and-true techniques for cooking rice, whether it’s boiling it on the stove, using a rice-cooker, or zapping it in the microwave. But did you know you can make rice in your oven? Keep reading to find out how to make the best oven-baked rice you’ve ever tasted. It might even become your new go-to method!

Why is oven-baked rice better?

Ovens distribute heat more evenly compared to a stove, which means your rice will steam better and become super fluffy. Plus, you don’t need to worry about the rice burning to the bottom of your favorite non-stick baking dish.

Ready to try it for yourself? The easy oven-baked rice technique below produces flavorful results every single time.

How to Cook Rice in the Oven

For this method, you can use either white or brown rice. Either way, make sure to give your rice a good rinse with water to get rid of any dirt and dust that might be on the grains (because no one wants to eat that!). You just need to fill a bowl with water, pour the rice in, swish it around, and strain. Repeat this rinsing process about five times, or until the water is clear.

Hold on to the starchy rice water, too: It’s great for strengthening your hair, repairing sun damage to your skin, and can even make your windows sparkle like new! Pour it into a separate jar or container and keep it in the fridge for a week.

Once the rice is clean, pour it into a rectangular baking dish, add water, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

Cindy Livesey, founder and editor of the blog Living Rich With Coupons, shares her recipe for oven-cooked brown rice in the video below. 

If you find yourself with too much rice to eat in one sitting, you can always freeze it in a plastic bag, where it will stay good for up to six months. Voilà! You now have a simple method for cooking rice that’ll always yield perfect results.

3 Flavorful Add-Ins for Rice

Although it’s already delicious on its own, these simple swaps and additions can take your oven-baked rice to the next level:

  1. Use stock or broth as the liquid instead of water. This will add a more intense and rich flavor to your rice. Also, it’s a pantry staple that instantly makes any starch you cook into the tastiest side dish you’ve ever eaten (you have to try it with potatoes!).
  2. A few sprigs of herbs like fresh thyme, rosemary, or saffron are great additions because they’re packed with nutritional benefits, like helping to improve your mental clarity and alertness. Not to mention, they’re must-have herbs for any home cook to keep in their kitchen. Sprinkle them into the baking dish before it goes in the oven, and allow the herby scent to infuse the rice as it cooks.
  3. A knob of butter or a tablespoon of olive oil will provide some creaminess to the rice — making it something extra special to enjoy with any meal. Just mix it into the piping hot rice after it comes out of the oven, and it’s ready to serve!

However you flavor it, this oven-baked rice technique is a lot simpler than standing over the stove waiting for a pot of rice to steam. Give it a try — we bet you’ll never want to go back to your old way of cooking rice!

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