What Is Minute rice and How Can I Use It?
If minute rice has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 41 recipes to try it in.
Key Points
- Minute rice is precooked, dried instant white rice you simply rehydrate in about five minutes.
- You trade flavor and chew for speed; the texture is softer and more uniform.
- It uses roughly 1 part rice to 1 part water, far less than raw rice.
- It shines in casseroles, soaking up sauce in the oven; too much water makes mush.
- For firmer grains and more flavor, choose regular long grain rice when time allows.
What is minute rice?
Minute rice is precooked instant rice: regular white rice that has been fully cooked, then dried, so all you do at home is rehydrate it. That is why it is ready in about five minutes instead of twenty.
Minute is a long-standing brand name, but cooks use it loosely for any quick-cooking instant rice on the shelf.
The trade-off is real. Because the grain is cooked and dried at the factory, it rehydrates into a softer, lighter, more uniform texture and carries less of the flavor and chew you get from rice cooked from scratch.
What you buy with instant rice is speed, and you pay for it in body.
How to Use It
The usual method is to add the rice to boiling water (or stir boiling water into the rice), cover, pull it off the heat, and let it sit about 5 minutes, then fluff.
Check the box, since instant brands run roughly 1 part rice to 1 part water, much less than raw rice needs.
Its real strength is the casserole. Because instant rice rehydrates fast, it can finish in the oven by soaking up the liquid from a sauce or soup.
That is why it anchors throw-together bakes like Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole, Roasted Chicken 'n Rice Casserole, and the classic Minute Rice Tuna Casseroles. It also works for a fast pilaf-style side such as Acapulco Rice when you are short on time.
The mistake to avoid is treating it like raw rice. Use the full water a recipe calls for and instant rice turns to mush, since it needs far less liquid and almost no cook time. When in doubt, add less water and check early.
Substitutes
For most dishes, regular long grain rice is the better choice if you have twenty minutes, giving you firmer grains and fuller flavor.
Parboiled (converted) rice is a middle ground: it cooks faster than raw rice and holds its grain better than instant, without the precooked softness. In a casserole that relies on the rice absorbing extra liquid, swapping in raw rice means adding more liquid and oven time, so adjust both.
Buying and Storing
Instant white rice keeps like any dried white rice: sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard, it stays good for a long time.
Instant brown rice exists too, and like all brown rice it holds oil in the bran, so use it within a few months or freeze it to keep it from turning rancid.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (95g)Quick facts
Food group: Minute rice is a member of the Cereal Grains and Pasta US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 分钟大米
- British (UK) term
- Minute rice
- en français
- riz minute
- en español
- arroz minutos
How much does minute rice weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 95 grams |
Related
Cereal Grains and Pasta
Recipes using minute rice
There are 41 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Crockpot Taco Steak & Rice
Crockpot taco steak and rice, a one-pot Tex-Mex dinner. Beef simmers in seasoned tomatoes all day, then corn, peppers, and instant rice cook right in the pot. Top with cheese and go.
Broccoli, Cheese & Rice Casserole
That was the lunch we made yesterday, and we made a few changes (see the linked recipe below). We used cheddar instead of velveeta cheese, fresh broccoli, and omitted the butter. An easy-one-dish meal and quite tasty.
Low Cal Curried Rice
Quick curried coconut rice using instant rice, sliced mushrooms, and Thai yellow curry powder. Includes a clever low-fat imitation coconut milk recipe.
Salsa Pork Dinner
30-minute pork chop dinner with yellow rice, salsa-style tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. A five-ingredient weeknight meal ready before takeout would arrive.
Favourite Vegetarian Chili
Favourite vegetarian chili, a quick one-pot bowl of pinto beans, tomatoes, and green chilies simmered with rice built right in. Hearty, meatless, and spiced with cumin, oregano, and a cayenne kick.
Rice with Black Beans
Rice with black beans, stewed tomatoes, garlic, and oregano cooked in one pot. An oil-free, plant-based side dish or light meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Okra Rice with Chicken & Mole Orange Sauce
Seared chicken breast with Mexican ancho mole-orange sauce served alongside okra rice with wild rice, almonds, and cilantro-yogurt finish. Layered weeknight dinner.
Picadillo Ground Beef
Picadillo ground beef simmered with olives, capers, raisins, tomatoes, cumin, and allspice over rice. A classic Latin American comfort dish with sweet-savory depth.
Chicken Piplaf
One-dish chicken pilaf baked with minute rice, cream of mushroom soup, and onion soup mix. Just combine, top with buttered chicken pieces, cover, and bake. Weeknight easy.
Wild Rice Bean Salad
Wild rice bean salad with brown rice, cooked beans, diced onion, lemon juice, and soy sauce. A no-cook toss-together side that's hearty and protein-packed.
Orange Pork Chops on Rice
One-dish baked pork chops on Minute rice with fresh orange juice and chicken-and-rice soup. Four ingredients, one pan, and a citrusy weeknight dinner that practically cooks itself.
Confetti Chicken & Pepper Rice
Confetti chicken and pepper rice with tri-color bell peppers, honey Dijon chicken, and green onions. A colorful one-pot dinner ready in 30 minutes.
Vegetarian Jambalaya
Vegetarian jambalaya with black-eyed peas, canned plum tomatoes, minute rice, and hot pepper sauce. A Louisiana-inspired one-pot stew ready in 30 minutes.
Wild Stir Fry Vegetables
Stir-fried vegetables with brown rice, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and garlic. A quick vegan side dish that comes together in 25 minutes with pantry staples.
Kateys' Casserole
Chicken broccoli rice casserole with cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and vegetable soup mix baked in one dish. A dump-and-bake weeknight dinner with just 7 ingredients.
Nori Rice Balls
Japanese nori rice balls (onigiri) with brown rice, steamed carrot sticks, and tangy umeboshi paste, served with a ginger-soy dipping sauce. A simple vegan snack or lunch.
Ground Beef Oriental
Ground beef casserole with rice, cream of mushroom and chicken soups, soy sauce, and crispy chow mein noodles on top. A retro Asian-inspired one-dish dinner baked in layers.
Italian Rice Salad
Italian rice salad with green peas, scallions, ripe olives, pimentos, and fresh basil tossed in Italian dressing. Cold side dish for picnics, potlucks, and summer cookouts.
Chunky Chicken Rice Soup
Quick 30-minute chicken rice soup using leftover cooked chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, and minute rice. One skillet, six servings, zero fuss for busy weeknights.
Southern Curry Chicken
Southern-style curry chicken simmered in tomato sauce with jalapeno, onions, and curry powder, served over rice. A one-skillet comfort meal with a mild, warming spice that's ready in an hour.
Chili with Rice
A 25-minute ground beef chili with kidney beans and zesty tomato sauce served over rice. Uses a chili seasoning packet for speed, making it the fastest chili for busy weeknights.
Spam-It-Up
This is an old family favorite which has been around for over 40 years. Very easy and quick to make!
Creamy Tuna Rice
One-pot cheesy tuna and rice with dill and parsley, ready in 30 minutes. Melted American cheese makes the sauce gooey and kid-friendly. A pantry-staple dinner when time is tight.
Rice Almondine
Rice almondine with brown minute rice, green beans, toasted almonds, and dill cooked in chicken broth with lemon juice. A quick 15-minute side dish with nutty crunch.
Cayenne Shrimp with Lemon
Plump shrimp sautéed in a skillet with melted margarine, paprika, and cayenne pepper, finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon and served over fluffy rice. A quick, spicy seafood dinner in just 30 minutes.
Hamalaya Casserole
Hamalaya casserole layers diced ham, green beans, and minute rice in a creamy soup base topped with melted cheese. A quick one-dish weeknight dinner ready in 35 minutes.
Brown Rice & Black Beans
Brown rice and black beans simmered with sauteed onion, garlic, green pepper, cumin, and salsa. A hearty, budget-friendly vegetarian one-pan meal packed with fiber and protein.
Minute Rice Tuna Casseroles
Quick tuna rice casserole with cream of celery soup, carrots, and minute rice baked in 15 minutes. A fast pantry dinner when you need supper on the table now.
Amazing Mexican Chicken & Rice
Mexican chicken and rice is a one-skillet 30-minute weeknight dinner with chicken, salsa, corn, and Minute Rice, finished with melted cheddar. Pantry ingredients, real flavor.
Spam Vegetable Casserole
A cheesy, crunchy-topped casserole loaded with Spam, mixed vegetables, rice, and cheddar in a creamy mushroom sauce. Easy weeknight comfort food the whole family will love.
Smoked Sausage Rice Skillet
One-skillet smoked sausage dinner with carrots, zucchini, stewed tomatoes, mushrooms, and minute rice seasoned with basil and thyme. From stovetop to table in 30 minutes.
Acapulco Rice
A delicious rice dish that gets its wonderful flavor from the shredded cheddar cheese and a bit of chili powder.
Party Chicken Bake
Party chicken bake with browned chicken breasts smothered in a creamy mushroom soup, cream cheese, chive, and sauterne wine sauce. Baked for an hour and served over Italian-seasoned rice.
Yummy Crockpot Chicken & Rice Casserole
A scrumptious chicken and rice casserole that is easy to make in your crockpot.
Chicken Ala Can-Can
A quick and easy chicken casserole main dish. Great to use up leftover chicken. Dinner on the table in 20 minutes flat.
Creamy Chicken Marsala with Tarragon & Parsley
Creamy chicken Marsala dredges chicken breasts in flour and tarragon, sears them golden, then builds a rich Marsala-cream pan sauce sharpened with dry mustard. Served over rice with fresh parsley.
Crockpot Stuffed Cabbage
If you're a fan of cabbage you will love this succulent dish that will make your crockpot and your tummy feel special.
