Best Instant Rice: Top 6 Quick Sides Most Recommended By Experts

The benefits of instant rice seem endless. With its convenience and legit consistency, some may see it as a no brainer to use in place of regular rice. In today’s fast-paced world, convenience often reigns supreme, and that extends to our kitchens. Instant rice promises fluffy, cooked grains in minutes, a lifesaver for busy weeknights or whipping up a quick side dish. But with countless brands and varieties lining grocery shelves, choosing the best instant rice can feel overwhelming. Fear not, fellow food enthusiasts! This article dives deep into the world of instant rice, exploring different types, flavors, and cooking methods. We’ll compare top contenders, analyze their nutritional profiles, and help you navigate price points to find the perfect instant rice for your needs. So, grab your fork and get ready to discover the delicious possibilities that instant rice has to offer!

Ultimately, whether or not you choose instant rice depends on your individual needs and preferences. If convenience, versatility, and affordability are priorities, instant rice can be a valuable option. However, if you prioritize nutrition, flavor, and eco-friendly choices, regular rice might be a better fit. If you go the instant route, we’re here for you. We created a list of the very best instant rice options out there based on the consensus from 11 expert reviews. Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

The List: Best Instant Rice, According to Foodies

1. Minute White Rice

Minute White Rice is incredibly versatile and can be used in various dishes, from stir-fries to rice pudding. A reviewer from 86 Lemons loves the convenience factor that comes with Minute Rice. They say that just five minutes total prep time resulted in fluffy and light rice. 

Minute rice is convenience in a package, partly because the best part of the work is done for you: the cooking. “We love that this brand has an extensive range of rice, including Jasmine, white, brown, basmati, chicken-flavored, multi-grain, and more,” states Mashed.

Even though Minute Rice cooks up in one minute, it is tender and totally quality. The simple ingredient list includes rice, sunflower oil, sea salt, and sunflower lecithin. My Recipes says you can taste the salt and oil tossed in, and is a fan of Minute Rice as a last-minute side for dinner.

2. Good and Gather Instant White Rice

This brand is from Target and serves as the perfect quick base for any dinner. Taste of Home describes the texture as tender, with a “beautiful snow-white appearance.” They also recommend it for soaking up any delicious stir-fry sauce you are cooking with.

Good & Gather stands out for both long-grain white rice and brown rice. Even better, Food Network says both options don’t clump up, have a good chew, and are delightfully fluffy. Sounds like a great combination to me. 

3. Bird’s Eye Steamfresh Rice

There is no need for concern about any unhealthy additives in Bird’s Eye rice because the ingredients entail only rice and water. Mashed agrees with the appreciation of the brand’s simplicity. Plus, you reheat the rice in the pouch it comes in, making prep even easier.

How is it that it is so easy? The “ricey-ness to this rice is due to instantly freezing cooked rice allowing it to keep its naturally occurring moisture. “I liked that it didn’t contain any added preservatives, salt, or oil, which meant I could really taste the rice. It was pleasantly chewy too,” boasts The Kitchn.

With the lack of extra additives, Food Network says this is the closest thing to homemade as you can get in the instant rice realm.

4. Success Boil-in-Bag White Rice

Getting just the right texture can be challenging with rice, especially when it’s instant. This is not the case with Success. Taste of Home says to expect a result of “pleasant, slightly chewy” rice “without being sticky or dense.” You can detect a lightly toasted taste as well. 

Success stands as the no-measure, no-mess original, and convenient boil-in-a-bag rice. Although testers enjoy this brand and could picture using it to whip up any delicious side containing rice, MSN points out, “While the sole ingredient in this product is long grain rice, it definitely tasted a bit more like brown rice than we expected (not a bad thing!).”

5. Annie Chun’s Cooked White Sticky Rice

Sticky rice is used in traditional Asian cuisine and has a more chewy texture than regular white rice. Annie Chun’s is incredibly simple to prepare, taking mere minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop. 86 Lemons says despite how quick it is to make, you can expect a consistently light, fluffy texture perfect for any meal. 

Annie Chun White Rice honestly has the same texture as the rice you get with your takeout. And, while most instant rices make single portions, this 7.4-ounce bowl is a great size for two people to share (Food Network). 

Annie’s is a restaurant quality rice ready in one minute. That is all we ask, right? “Each bowl is individually steamed for superior taste, texture, and finish without adding Oil or salt. It Is low-fat, gluten-free And vegan,” states Sprouts.

6. Lundberg Family Farms

Lundberg Family Farms is family-owned and offers various grains and grain products. But what about the taste? Healthline describes it as having a slightly nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with many different meals, specifically stir-fries, pilafs, and casseroles. 

Lundberg impressively offers over 15 different rice varieties. They also offer rice cakes and thin stackers for when you crave a crunch. “With a brand doing so many different things, you’d think quality control would be an issue. But we found no evidence of this, and the end product has been consistently good from cook-to-cook and varietal-to-varietal,” offers Mashed.

It’s hard to beat a tasty, healthy side dish that can be ready in just 90 seconds. “Definitely grab more than one bag of this much healthier version of jasmine rice from the trusted company Lundberg. Organic products have become increasingly popular as we learn more about how our food is made,” explains The Daily Meal.

Why choose instant rice?

Convenience:

• Fast cooking time: Instant rice cooks in mere minutes, often just by adding water and microwaving, making it an ideal choice for busy lifestyles or quick meals.
• Minimal preparation: Instant rice requires minimal to no rinsing or soaking, unlike regular rice, saving time and simplifying the cooking process.
• Easy storage: Instant rice has a longer shelf life and doesn’t require special storage conditions, making it pantry-friendly and readily available.

Versatility:

• Neutral flavor: Instant rice’s mild flavor readily absorbs the tastes of seasonings, sauces, and other ingredients, making it adaptable to various dishes.
• Texture options: Different brands and varieties of instant rice offer varying textures, from fluffy to chewy, catering to different preferences.
• Dietary options: Certain brands offer brown rice or whole-grain options of instant rice, cater to those seeking healthier choices.

Other Benefits:

• Affordability: Instant rice is often cheaper than regular rice, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious households.
• Portability: Instant rice packets are lightweight and convenient to pack for lunches, picnics, or travel.
• Emergency preparedness: Instant rice can be a valuable addition to emergency kits due to its long shelf life and ease of preparation.

Potential Downsides:

• Nutritional content: Instant rice may be lower in certain nutrients compared to regular rice, particularly fiber and vitamins.
• Processing: The processing of instant rice can affect its texture and flavor, and some types may contain additives or preservatives.
• Environmental impact: The packaging and processing of instant rice can contribute to environmental concerns.

Sources:

• Healthline
• Riviana
• 86 Lemons
• Mashed
• The Daily Meal
• My Recipes
• Taste of Home
• The Kitchn
• Food Network
• MSN
• Sprouts

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.