Some may know pork fried rice as an easy dish made at home or as a take-out side at a Chinese restaurant. It’s also commonly seen laid out on the table overnight in movie scenes when the characters pass out in the living room.
No matter how you know it, there’s a chance you’ve experienced having pork fried rice leftovers. You’ve may have tried popping it in the microwave only to have it end up dry a flavorless.
You can reheat your pork fried rice while keeping it delicious in numerous ways. There’s using the microwave (but making changes to improve the flavor,) using the stove, in the oven, or even using an air fryer.
On the Stove
Re-frying your rice on the stove is the best way to return the rice to its fresh taste. It’s pretty low effort and doesn’t take too much time.
- Step 1: Add some oil to your pan and let it get hot.
- Step 2: Add your leftover rice with a few tablespoons of water. About 2 tablespoons for every serving.
- Step 3: Combine the rice and water and let the whole thing fry for around 5 minutes. Make sure there’s no excess water at the end.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and enjoy
Pros:
- Pretty low effort
- Doesn’t take too much time
- Preserves the taste and texture the most
Cons:
- More work than other methods
- You’ll have extra dirty dishes
In the Microwave
If you are in a hurry to reheat the rice, the microwave will work. It won’t make the pork fried rice as good as new, but you’ll have something to eat.
- Step 1: Put the rice in a microwave-safe container. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water and combine.
- Step 2: It’s a good idea to add a sauce to prevent the rice from drying out. Orange or sweet and sour sauce are good options.
- Step 3: Heat for 30 seconds at a time, checking after each interval. After each interval, give the rice a stir so it can be evenly heated.
- Step 4: Once thoroughly reheated, allow to cool and enjoy
Pros:
- Takes the shortest amount of time
- Is the easiest method
Cons:
- Taste and texture will change
- May not heat evenly
In the Oven
While the oven may not give the rice its original “fried” texture, using the oven is an easy way to reheat a lot of fried rice at once.
- Step 1: Put your fried rice in an oven-safe dish and preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Step 2: Add a few tablespoons of water to the rice or spray the rice with water.
- Step 3: Put the rice in for 10 minutes or until the rice has heated through.
- Step 4: Pull the rice out, stir it, and enjoy.
Pros:
- Fairly low effort
- Maintains the taste of the fried rice
Cons:
- Can give the rice a “baked” texture
- Takes a longer time
- Not convenient if you only have a small amount of rice to reheat
The Air Fryer
Finally, there’s the method of reheating your fried rice in the air fryer. Like frying on the stove, this method will preserve both the original taste and texture.
- Step 1: Put the rice into the air fryer basket. Try to spread out the rice to be even across. This is to help it fry evenly.
- Step 2: Cook on high for 5 minutes and then check. If it needs a bit longer, cook it for another 5 minutes. Allow the rice to be steaming before taking it out.
- Step 3: Move the rice to a dish and allow it to cool. Enjoy!
Pros:
- Super easy to do and doesn’t take a lot of effort
- It may not take too long to reheat
- Preserves the taste and texture
Cons:
- This method can possibly take longer than others. It still takes much longer than the microwave method.
- Won’t have the same taste as refrying with oil
Tricks
With each method, there are some ways to make sure that your rice is reheated to the best quality.
- Remember to add water! In every method except for the air fryer, adding water is a must. It keeps the rice from getting too dry.
- Add additional sauces. To renew the flavor, you can add your favorite sauces. This also helps keep the rice from getting too dry.
- Add fresh vegetables or scrambled eggs. Adding fresh ingredients can make the whole dish taste fresher.
- Add the rice to another dish. Preserve the taste while adding something new. Maybe turn the pork fried rice into a rice wrap.
How Long Does the Rice Last?
Before reheating and if properly stored, pork fried rice can last about a week in the fridge. Properly storing the rice means putting it into an air-tight container before placing it in the fridge. Leaving the rice in the to-go box invites bacteria to grow.
Once reheating, use the fried rice in a day. Don’t reheat the rice more than once as it may no longer be safe to. This especially goes for take-out rice. Prevent the need for reheating more than once by only reheating what you need at a time.
Final Thoughts
Pork fried rice can be just as delicious reheated as it was fresh. By using the method that works best for your situation, you can preserve the quality of your food and have yourself a whole other meal.
The microwave will work in a pinch, but using the air fryer or stove is the best at keeping the fried texture of the taste of the rice. Try the tricks up above and you’ll have a tasty day-old dish.
