Place rice in a microwave-safe bowl or plate. If your rice is stored in a cardboard take-out container, you can heat it but make sure that it doesn’t have any metal handles or staples before heating.

Add one tablespoon of water per cup of rice.

If you have huge clumps of rice that are stuck together, the rice won’t reheat evenly. The clumps will dry out and become inedible rice boulders as the rice reheats. Use a fork to break apart rice clumps, so the rice heats evenly. 

To hold in moisture, cover your rice with a microwave-safe plastic lid (here’s a highly rated plate covere cover) or another dish. You can also use a damp paper towel.

Warm the rice by using high heat on the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes per serving. Frozen rice should be reheated for 2 to 3 minutes and need twice as much water.