Steamed rice vs fried rice, which is better? The debate is still on as to which rice dish is best: steamed or fried? With so many people having different preferences, it can be hard to make a decision.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of steamed rice vs fried rice to help you decide which one is better for your needs.
I’m going to start with steamed rice vs fried rice because I think it’s the most important debate and the easiest to understand.
With so many people having different preferences. It can be hard to decide which one is best for you – this blog post will hopefully help you decide.
Steamed rice is the most traditional and popular method for cooking rice in Asia. Where it has been practised since at least 600 AD – so there must be something good about steamed rice!
The way burning works is by boiling water in a covered pot over high heat. Then steaming the rice on top of that by covering it with a few centimetres of water.

This makes steamed rice soft and fluffy. While also retaining more nutrients than other types of cooking methods. So if you’re looking for something healthier to eat or want your children to have better nutrition, steamed rice is worth considering.
What is Steamed Rice?
Steamed rice is a type of cooked rice in which the raw grains are heated and steamed with water. So they become plump. The steaming process takes up to 15 minutes for white or brown rice.
What is Fried Rice?
Stir-fried rice starts as boiled, unseasoned long grain or short grain rice soaked in cold water for about 20 minutes. The rice is then drained and heated in a wok with oil or cooking fat until the grains turn bright white, crispy-edged, and tender enough to eat without breaking up.
What are some of the benefits of steamed rice?
Easy to make:
Steaming requires less work than other cooking methods. So steamed rice is often a go-to for people who are tired or don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
No need to watch:
Unlike frying, which requires constant attention and stirring over high heat, steaming doesn’t require any additional effort after it’s started.
What are some of the benefits of fried rice?
Tender and crispy:
Fried rice is a traditional dish that most people associate with Asian cuisine, but it’s actually enjoyed worldwide. The crunchy exterior and chewy texture combined with steamed white or brown rice make for an irresistible bite.
Hardier preparation method:
Unlike steamed rice, fried rice requires the use of a wok or frying pan. This is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their cooking skills with an intense and difficult dish.
Benefits of steamed rice vs fried rice
- Steamed rice is healthier and can substitute for many carbohydrate-based dishes like pasta, potatoes, or chips.
- Fried rice will taste better with more ingredients added to it, such as eggs, vegetables, and meat. This makes it the perfect dish if you are cooking for family members who have dietary restrictions.

Drawbacks of steamed rice vs fried rice
- The drawback of steaming your own brown long-grain white jasmine or basmati is that they might not cook evenly. Because some parts may remain crunchy while others overcook in their steam (this concern could also apply to frying). In general, those types of grains should always be boiled before being cooked by steaming or frying.
- The drawback of steamed rice vs fried rice is that it takes a lot longer to cook than fried rice. And can be difficult to make if you don’t have the right equipment (a pot with an insert for steaming).
Is steamed rice healthier than fried rice?
- The thing with steamed rice is that you don’t get the same flavor as fried rice. It’s missing out on many natural flavors and ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, dark brown sugar, or even just salt to make it taste good.
- Fried rice has more fat than steamed rice because of the oil used, increasing its calorie count. But steamed rice is still a healthy option for people who want to lose weight because it’s much less fattening than fried rice.
- As far as health goes, you can’t go wrong with either – both provide complex carbohydrates, fiber, and protein, which are essential for your body.
Baked Rice vs Steamed Rice: Which One Reigns Supreme?
When comparing steamed rice vs baked rice, we find they’re quite similar in taste (although there is more flavor in steaming). However, one key difference between them is how easy each type of cooking method actually is; Baking doesn’t take any effort, whereas steaming does require you to stand by the stove for some time.
I would recommend steaming rice to anyone looking for a quick, tasty and healthy meal; it’s also perfect if you’re trying to limit your calorie intake as steamed rice is lower in calories than fried or baked varieties.
What is the difference between steamed rice and fried rice?
The steamed rice vs fried rice dispute is a popular one, and while the jury may still be out on which option reigns supreme as the king of all rice dishes, I believe that steamed rice has come out slightly ahead. Fried rice consists primarily of vegetables (and sometimes meat), whereas steamed rice is cooked in water or broth with salt.
A few advantages of steamed rice are that it’s healthier, and contains less fat and calories than fried rice. It is a delicious alternative to fries or chips when you’re trying to cut down on unhealthy carbs in your diet. It can be made light by adding broth rather than water during cooking time.
Rice has been an important part of Chinese cuisine for centuries, and it’s not just the steamed variety that people enjoy. Each type of rice has its unique attributes and is best suited to certain dishes or flavors.
If you’re a fan of fried rice, I urge you to give steamed rice a try! Though it may be less popular than other types, it’s just as delicious. In fact, steamed rice is often a healthier choice when compared to fried rice because of its lower fat and calorie content.
Is steamed rice good for you?
The rice you eat has a lot to do with how it affects your health. While steamed rice is generally lower in calories and fat than fried rice, the type of oil used will determine the overall nutritional value.

It’s best to steer clear of vegetable oils when cooking steamed rice; they’ll add unnecessary flavor and cause harmful trans-fats. So, its difficult to say its good for health or not.
Does Rice cause belly fat?
You may be tempted to equate steamed rice with belly fat, but it isn’t true. Rice only has a small number of carbohydrates and is known as an energy-giving food due to its high starch content.
However, if you’re cooking your steamed rice in vegetable oils that are high in trans fats or other harmful ingredients like pesticides, the steamed rice could be a source of belly fat.
Which is better for you?
It’s hard to say which type of rice is “better” because it depends on your goals and how much time you have in the kitchen. If health is your goal, avoid eating fried rice made with vegetable oils that contain unhealthy trans-fats. If you’re in a hurry, steamed rice is the better option because it’s faster to prepare and doesn’t require as much oil or fat for cooking.
What are the disadvantages of eating rice?
Long-grain white rice is a high glycemic index food, meaning that it quickly spikes your blood sugar levels. Additionally, the starches in steamed rice can be problematic for people with celiac disease because they are gluten-containing.
There’s also evidence suggesting refined carbs like white or brown rice may impair immune function and increase depression the risk of some cancers.
The Bottom Line
The choice between steamed rice and fried rice comes down to personal preference. Steamed rice is healthier but will take some time to prepare and need specific cooking tools like a bamboo basket or kitchen tongs.
Fried Rice has less nutritional value but quicker preparation times, making it better in emergencies when food needs to be cooked quickly without any special tools.

Dr. Aditya Gupta is a highly accomplished Indian doctor with extensive experience in the field of neurology. Born and raised in New Delhi, India, Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), followed by his postgraduate studies in neurology from the same institution.