Why is My Rice Burnt: Reasons Behind and Actions to Take

Cooking rice is sacred in my childhood home. It’s a rite of passage passed on from one offspring to the next. 

So, on one fine day at the ripe age of 12, I was tasked with cooking the family’s rice for lunch. 

You can already guess what happened. I burnt it despite being so confident that I followed everything my mom told me to do. 

It turns out that I have to look at it from time to time. That “let it cook for 20 minutes” comes with the regular checks I wasn’t made aware of. 

Imagine my surprise when I opened that lid only to see burnt rice. 

My mom was furious (she still uses it against me up to this day), I was crying, and we had take out for lunch.

Why Does Rice Get Burnt?

After putting in the time and effort to cook rice, the last thing you would want is for it to burn. 

Incorrect Heat Settings

Different rice varieties have their specific heat settings. 

Take Jasmine rice as an example. It cooks well on a gentle simmer. 

For brown rice, though? You have to cook it on slightly more heat and for a longer time. 

Setting your heat to high will only burn the rice at the bottom of your pot. The rest might even end up half-cooked. 

Improper Water-to-Rice Ratio

Here’s a good rule of thumb: 

The water-to-rice ratio for white rice is 2 cups of water to 1 cup of rice, and for brown rice, that is 2 ½ cups of water to 1 cup of rice. 

Too little water will lead to burnt rice, and too much of it will result in mushy rice. Go with the in-between, the just-right, and you will have fluffy rice. 

Inattentiveness  

Inattentiveness is an all too common culprit. 

A solution would be to set a timer. 

That’s 15-20 minutes for white rice varieties, then about 45-50 minutes for brown rice. 

Unsuitable Cookware

It could also be the cookware you’re using. After all, not all pots are created equal. 

I’d suggest investing in a heavy-bottomed pot with a tight-fitting lid. 

It might be on the pricier side, but can you really put a price on fluffy perfection? This kind of pot ensures even heat distribution. 

Also, buy one with a transparent lid. It prevents you from constantly lifting it just to check the rice. 

How to Cook Rice So It Doesn’t Burn? 

Here’s a step-by-step guide for cooking white rice:

Using Stovetop

1. Rinse the rice to remove the excess starch and other impurities. Do this by placing the rice in a strainer and rinse under cold water until the water runs clear. 
2. Measure the rice and water. Make sure you use the appropriate water-to-rice ratio: 2 cups of water for 1 cup of white rice.
3. Add the rinsed rice and water to a lidded pot. Then, sprinkle with a pinch of salt. 
4. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
5. Once rice starts to boil, reduce the heat to low. Then, let it simmer for 18-20 minutes or just until tender. 
6. Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest while covered for another 5-10 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking. Avoid opening the lid to keep the steam from coming out. 
7. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains before serving. 

Using Rice Cooker

The rice cooker is a kitchen marvel that even I use most of the time. It removes the guesswork and offers you a foolproof method of cooking rice.

1. Follow step 1 of using the stovetop. 
2. Using the measuring cup that came with the rice cooker, measure your desired amount of rice. 
3. Most rice cookers typically have water level indicators embedded, which makes adding the right amount of water easier.
4. Put your rice and water in the rice cooker’s pot. Add a pinch of salt, then securely close the lid. 
5. Press the cook or start button and you’re set. 
6. The rice cooker will automatically switch to a warm setting once the rice is finished cooking. 

How to Get the Burnt Taste Out of Rice?

If the burn is just a light brown and not a deep charcoal then there’s no need to panic. I eat that light brown part all the time. 

We call it ‘tutong’ here. And it’s pretty good with meat. 

Besides, you can easily separate the bottom from the good part using a fork. 

Here are other solutions for you to try:

Recovery Trick #1: Bread

Grab a slice of bread, and place it on top of the burnt rice. 

Let it steam for a few minutes, and let the bread act as a sponge, absorbing any burnt flavors and odors.

Recovery Trick #2: Water

This trick works if your rice is dry on top and burnt on the bottom. 

Add a tablespoon of water around the edges of the pot, and not directly on the rice. Cover and steam for another 5 minutes on low heat. 

What to Do with Burnt Rice?

Sinangag. That’s Filipino-style garlic fried rice. 

We’re known for our resourcefulness in the kitchen. 

Leftover rice, especially slightly burnt rice, isn’t merely disposed of. We transform it into a breakfast staple called ‘sinangag.’

Ingredients

• 2 cups of slightly burnt rice
• 2 tbsp of cooking oil
• 3 minced cloves of garlic
• ½ tsp of salt
• ¼ tsp of black pepper
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce
• 1 chopped scallion

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium fire. 
2. Add the garlic and cook until lightly brown.
3. Throw in the slightly burnt rice into the pan and break up the clumps.
4. Season with salt and pepper, then add the soy sauce for that extra saltiness.
5. Fry the rice for 3-5 minutes or until everything’s heated. 
6. Garnish with scallions before serving. 

You’ll find that the slightly burnt bits give that wonderful smoky flavor. 

You can also add veggies, meat, and eggs to make it a complete breakfast meal. 

Prevention is Better than Cure

Tada! We’ve cracked the code on that burning mystery of yours, “Why is my rice burnt?”

Here’s hoping that our future rice will be filled with nothing but fluffiness and that we will never again see its dark side. 

They do say that prevention is better than cure, right? So take the tips mentioned above in stride next time you’re cooking rice. 

It’s always better to prevent something from happening than to find a solution on how to fix it later on. ‘Cause sometimes, there’s just no saving it. 

Ready to conquer the rice game now? 

Related articles: