Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for microwavable rice
Best swap for microwavable rice: Cooked white rice, cook stovetop or rice cooker; use same quantity cooked.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Microwavable Rice?
The best swap for Microwavable Rice is Cooked White Rice, cook stovetop or rice cooker; use same quantity cooked. Another option is Instant Rice, prepare per package; similar quick-cook intent. The table below also lists Frozen Cooked Rice, Leftover Cooked Rice and Parboiled Rice, 5 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Cooked white rice | cook stovetop or rice cooker; use same quantity cooked |
| Instant rice | prepare per package; similar quick-cook intent |
| Frozen cooked rice | microwave straight from frozen, 1:1 by weight; the closest thing to the same product |
| Leftover cooked rice | 1:1 by weight; sprinkle with a little water and cover before reheating so it steams rather than dries How to use it: Reheat it until it reaches 165°F all the way through. |
| Parboiled rice | cooks in about 20 minutes and holds without going gluey; good when the point is a fast side |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.