Holidaymakers who want to prepare a meal quickly
When you arrive or between activities, you want rice that’s ready in a few minutes using the microwave or frying pan available at your accommodation.
Who is it for?
Travellers who like to keep cooking simple
You have a saucepan and prefer to choose your own sauce and spices, even if the rice takes longer to cook.
Households mindful of ingredients
You compare the ingredients and allergen information for each recipe before planning meals for your stay.
What should you check?
Quick-cook rice to reheat
Choose this: for a quick meal, if the reheating method on the pack matches the equipment at your rental.
Bear in mind: the recipe may already be prepared or seasoned, so check the ingredients carefully.
Boil-in-the-bag rice
Choose this: if you have a saucepan and want to season the rice yourself.
Bear in mind: it needs to be cooked in water and drained; the Auchan variety described takes 10 minutes to cook.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation and equipment | Check that the instructions match the microwave, frying pan or saucepan available. Check the stated cooking time for the exact product. | If I get back late, I want to be able to prepare rice with the equipment available without spending longer in the kitchen; around 45% of consumers rank speed as their top priority. |
| Storage and leftovers | Check the date and instructions before opening, then check how to store the rice and how soon to use it once the pack has been opened. | For a short stay, I want to use the whole pack without leaving leftovers that are difficult to store; around 33% of consumers put managing cupboard space first. |
| Ingredients | Read the ingredients, seasoning and allergen or may-contain information on each pack. | When several people are sharing meals, I need to choose a recipe that suits their dietary needs; around 22% of consumers prioritise ingredients above all else. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all rice packs are prepared in the same way
Quick-cook rice may need a microwave or frying pan, while boil-in-the-bag rice needs a saucepan, water and somewhere to drain it.
Check what equipment your rental has, then read the preparation instructions on the pack you choose.
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Putting an opened pack back in the cupboard
The Jardin BiO étic product described by Auchan can be stored at room temperature before opening, but must then be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days.
Choose a pack you can finish, or check that your rental has somewhere to store leftovers in line with the instructions.
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Choosing based on the recipe name alone
Ingredients vary between products. The Ben's Original rice with vegetables listed by Carrefour and the Jardin BiO étic chicken rice listed by Auchan don’t meet the same dietary requirements.
Before you set off, check the ingredients, allergens and may-contain information for the exact product.
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Exposing dry rice to heat or moisture
According to its storage instructions, the Auchan boil-in-the-bag rice described here should be kept away from heat and moisture.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and choose a dry place to keep it during your stay.
Brands to know when comparing products
Ben's Original
Carrefour lists 220 g packs of plain or flavoured quick-cook rice.
- The Mediterranean variety listed by Carrefour states that it takes 2 minutes in the microwave or 3 minutes in a frying pan.
- Ingredients vary from one recipe to another, so check the label on the pack you choose.
Taureau Ailé
Carrefour lists a 220 g pack of plain, pre-cooked basmati rice.
- The ingredients list for this product states that it contains 98% steamed, pre-cooked basmati rice, a good base to pair with your choice of ingredients.
- Check the reheating instructions on the pack before relying on the equipment at your rental.
Jardin BiO étic
The product listed by Auchan combines rice, vegetables and chicken in a quick-cook pouch.
- The instructions say to heat it for 1 to 2 minutes in the microwave or 2 to 3 minutes in a saucepan.
- It contains chicken, may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame, and must be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days of opening.
Suzi Wan
Carrefour lists a 220 g pack of spicy long-grain rice.
- The instructions state that it takes 2 minutes to prepare in the microwave or frying pan.
- Its recipe is spiced with red chilli, so it’s not a substitute for plain rice if you want to control the seasoning yourself.
Auchan
The long-grain rice in boil-in-the-bag pouches listed by Auchan is dry rice that needs cooking, unlike quick-cook rice that only needs reheating.
- The instructions say to cook it in water for 10 minutes, and one pouch serves 2 people.
- You’ll need a saucepan and somewhere to drain the pouch; store it away from heat and moisture.
Joybuy products for your stay
These products offer several ways to plan rice for your holiday rental: a self-heating bowl, a quick-cook pouch, dry rice to cook and packaged cooked rice. Choose according to the equipment available and check the instructions for each product.
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Zi Hai Guo Bao Zhi self-heating mushroom and beef rice bowl, 245 g
Worth considering if you don’t have a saucepan or microwave. Follow the heating instructions on the bowl and check the ingredients and date before packing it.
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Ben's Original Express tomato and olive oil rice, 220 g
If you’re planning to take flavoured rice that needs reheating, check that your rental has the equipment specified on the pouch. Also check the ingredients and storage instructions after opening.
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LUSTUCRU quick-cook long-grain basmati rice, 450 g
Consider this if your rental has the facilities to cook dry rice and you want to choose your own seasoning. Check the cooking method and time on the pack before planning your meal.
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Ottogi cooked rice, three 210 g bowls
The pack gives you three bowls to open separately. Before your stay, check the pack for reheating instructions and what to do once a bowl has been opened.
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Souma Tenno Tsubu packaged rice, 450 g
If you’re planning to take this rice to your rental, check the pack instructions to confirm how to heat it, what equipment you’ll need and how to store it after opening.
Frequently asked questions
Can a pouch of prepared rice be kept in the rental’s cupboard?
Yes, if the product instructions allow it to be stored at room temperature before opening and the packaging is intact. This applies to the Jardin BiO étic pouch listed by Auchan. Also check the date and storage instructions on the pack.
Can you keep an opened pouch out of the fridge?
Don’t assume so: the Jardin BiO étic pouch listed by Auchan must be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days of opening. Follow the instructions for the product you buy.
Which rice should you choose if your rental doesn’t have a microwave?
Look for quick-cook rice with frying-pan instructions, or dry rice if you have a saucepan. The Ben's Original varieties listed by Carrefour state that they take 3 minutes in a frying pan; the Auchan boil-in-the-bag rice takes 10 minutes in water.
Is a prepared rice recipe automatically suitable for every diet?
No: check the exact recipe. The Jardin BiO étic vegetable and chicken pouch listed by Auchan contains chicken and may contain traces of gluten, soya and sesame. Read the ingredients and allergen information before you buy.