Mushy or soggy rice is simply overcooked rice that has absorbed too much water. Water over-absorption causes the rice grains to split open, ruining the texture and creating a starchy, gummy result.
There are a few possible strategies you can turn to if your cooked rice does not meet your expectations:

- __Dry in the oven__. In cases where the rice has only overcooked slightly, and the texture is still more or less intact, try draining any extra water using a colander or fine-mesh strainer and spreading the rice as best you can into a single layer on a baking sheet. Next, reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees for about five minutes. Reheating may dry out the rice enough to yield the texture you want.
- __Drain and try the stovetop again__. If your rice is just a little overcooked and isn’t too starchy, try draining and rinsing the rice, then heat it on the stovetop to cook off some of the moisture.
- __Get creative with a piece of bread__. Rather than draining the excess water from your rice, if it’s a manageable amount, put a piece of stale bread on top of the rice, cover the pot, and allow it to continue cooking on low heat. After a few minutes, the bread should absorb the moisture in the pot.

If the texture of your rice is ultimately unsalvageable, don’t throw it out just yet. There are many preparations that make good use of mushy rice:

1. __Rice pudding__: The excess moisture in your pot of rice makes it perfect for turning it into dessert. Transform your rice into a sweet treat by adding milk, vanilla, and sugar to taste to create [rice pudding](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rice-pudding-recipe) or Mexican [arroz con leche](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-mexican-rice-pudding). Then make a new pot for your side or rice dish with a lower water-to-rice ratio.
2. __Porridge__: A more versatile treatment of your mushy rice is to add more water and turn it into a Chinese congee or Japanese [okayu](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okayu-recipe) that you can enjoy at any time.
3. __Fried rice__: If your rice isn’t too far gone, make fried rice. First, drain the rice to remove excess water (if necessary) and run it under some cold water as you separate the grains to remove excess starch. After rinsing, toast your rice with oil over high heat in a [seasoned wok](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-season-a-wok) or pan on the stovetop. Remove the rice once it’s become a little crispy, then stir-fry your veggies and proteins of choice separately before mixing all the ingredients.

Uncooked rice or undercooked rice is easy to fix since it hasn’t absorbed the right amount of water yet. Whether you’re cooking brown rice or white rice, here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing undercooked, crunchy rice:

1. __Rehydrate__: Cooking rice can be challenging without a rice cooker. Luckily, there are many ways to salvage any type of rice that does not meet your expectations. To save partially raw rice, start by adding about a quarter cup of water to the pot or rice cooker.
2. __Cover and cook__: Put a lid on your pot (or close your rice cooker) and continue cooking the rice over low heat.
3. __Taste__: Check back after a few minutes, give it a fluff or two, and try some of the rice to see if it’s achieved your desired texture. Repeat the process if it’s still not cooked through.

Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.
Knowing how to fix mushy rice can help you turn a botched side dish into a delicious dessert or entrée. It all comes down to evaluating how salvageable your grains are.


Knowing how to fix mushy rice can help you turn a botched side dish into a delicious dessert or entrée. It all comes down to evaluating how salvageable your grains are.


How to Fix Mushy Rice: 3 Ways to Repurpose Mushy Rice 

Mushy or soggy rice is simply overcooked rice that has absorbed too much water. Water over-absorption causes the rice grains to split open, ruining the texture and creating a starchy, gummy result.

What Causes Mushy Rice?

There are a few possible strategies you can turn to if your cooked rice does not meet your expectations:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Dry in the oven. In cases where the rice has only overcooked slightly, and the texture is still more or less intact, try draining any extra water using a colander or fine-mesh strainer and spreading the rice as best you can into a single layer on a baking sheet. Next, reheat it in the oven at 350 degrees for about five minutes. Reheating may dry out the rice enough to yield the texture you want. </li><li class="">Drain and try the stovetop again. If your rice is just a little overcooked and isn’t too starchy, try draining and rinsing the rice, then heat it on the stovetop to cook off some of the moisture. </li><li class="">Get creative with a piece of bread. Rather than draining the excess water from your rice, if it’s a manageable amount, put a piece of stale bread on top of the rice, cover the pot, and allow it to continue cooking on low heat. After a few minutes, the bread should absorb the moisture in the pot. </li></ul>

How to Fix Mushy Rice

If the texture of your rice is ultimately unsalvageable, don’t throw it out just yet. There are many preparations that make good use of mushy rice:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Rice pudding: The excess moisture in your pot of rice makes it perfect for turning it into dessert. Transform your rice into a sweet treat by adding milk, vanilla, and sugar to taste to create <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rice-pudding-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/rice-pudding-recipe","linkCopy":"rice pudding","category":null}'>rice pudding</a> or Mexican <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-mexican-rice-pudding' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-mexican-rice-pudding","linkCopy":"arroz con leche","category":null}'>arroz con leche</a>. Then make a new pot for your side or rice dish with a lower water-to-rice ratio. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Porridge: A more versatile treatment of your mushy rice is to add more water and turn it into a Chinese congee or Japanese <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okayu-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/okayu-recipe","linkCopy":"okayu","category":null}'>okayu</a> that you can enjoy at any time. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Fried rice: If your rice isn’t too far gone, make fried rice. First, drain the rice to remove excess water (if necessary) and run it under some cold water as you separate the grains to remove excess starch. After rinsing, toast your rice with oil over high heat in a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-season-a-wok' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-season-a-wok","linkCopy":"seasoned wok","category":null}'>seasoned wok</a> or pan on the stovetop. Remove the rice once it’s become a little crispy, then stir-fry your veggies and proteins of choice separately before mixing all the ingredients. </li></ol>

3 Ways to Repurpose Mushy Rice

Uncooked rice or undercooked rice is easy to fix since it hasn’t absorbed the right amount of water yet. Whether you’re cooking brown rice or white rice, here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing undercooked, crunchy rice:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Rehydrate: Cooking rice can be challenging without a rice cooker. Luckily, there are many ways to salvage any type of rice that does not meet your expectations. To save partially raw rice, start by adding about a quarter cup of water to the pot or rice cooker. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Cover and cook: Put a lid on your pot (or close your rice cooker) and continue cooking the rice over low heat. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Taste: Check back after a few minutes, give it a fluff or two, and try some of the rice to see if it’s achieved your desired texture. Repeat the process if it’s still not cooked through. </li></ol>

How to Fix Undercooked Rice

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.

Want to Learn More About Cooking?

Knowing how to fix mushy rice can help you turn a botched side dish into a delicious dessert or entrée. It all comes down to evaluating how salvageable your grains are.