How long does cooked rice last in the fridge, and can you freeze it?
If you’re not eating cooked rice right away, cool it and get it into the fridge within about 1 hour. It then keeps for 1 day (24 hours) at most. You can also freeze it. Reheat rice only once, until it’s steaming hot all the way through. Rice left out overnight goes in the bin – reheating won’t make it safe.
Cooked and uncooked rice: guidelines
| Situation | Guideline | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling after cooking | into the fridge within about 1 hour | Spread it out or split into small portions |
| Cooked rice in the fridge | 1 day (24 hours) at most | Covered, as cold as possible |
| Left out overnight | throw it away | The toxin survives reheating |
| Cooked rice, frozen | up to about 2–3 months | Freeze as soon as it has cooled |
| Reheating | once only, steaming hot | 70 °C (158 °F) in the center for 2 minutes |
| Uncooked white rice | often 1 year or more past the date | Keep dry, dark and sealed |
| Uncooked brown rice | shorter shelf life | Smells rancid: throw it away |
Why cooked rice needs care
Uncooked rice often contains spores of the bacterium Bacillus cereus, and they survive cooking. If cooked rice sits warm or at room temperature, the spores germinate, the bacteria multiply and produce a toxin. That toxin is heat-stable: reheating, even very hot, doesn’t destroy it. It can cause vomiting within a few hours, and later diarrhea too. That’s why how fast you cool the rice matters most.
How to store leftover rice safely
- Put rice you’re not eating straight away into the fridge within about 1 hour.
- To cool it fast, spread it out or divide it into several small containers. A big, deep pot cools too slowly.
- Keep it covered in a fridge that’s as cold as possible (5 °C (41 °F) or below).
- Eat it within 1 day. Whatever you won’t get to, freeze in time.
Can you freeze rice?
- Yes. Freeze it as soon as it has cooled, not after a day in the fridge.
- Pack it in flat portions in freezer bags or containers, squeeze out the air and add the date.
- Keep it at -18 °C (0 °F) for up to about 2–3 months.
- Thaw in the fridge or heat it straight from frozen in a pan or microwave. Don’t refreeze thawed rice.
How to reheat rice properly
- Reheat it only once. Take out just the amount you’ll eat now.
- Heat it until it’s steaming hot all the way through, at least 70 °C (158 °F) in the center for 2 minutes.
- In the microwave, add a splash of water, cover it and stir halfway so there are no cold spots.
- Don’t keep leftovers of reheated rice again: throw them away.
Uncooked rice past its date: still good?
Dry rice has a best-before date, not a use-by date. Unopened and stored dry, white rice is often fine for 1 year or more after the date. Brown rice contains more fat and can go rancid.
Check it: Does it smell normal? Do you see beetles, moths, webbing, clumps or mold? Pests, mold, a musty or rancid smell: throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out.
Ideas for leftover rice
- Fried rice with egg and vegetables: day-old rice sticks less in the pan.
- Rice patties with cheese, herbs and egg, fried until crisp.
- Stuffed peppers or zucchini with rice and tomato sauce, baked in the oven.
- Stirred into soup or stew.
- Remember: this counts as the rice’s one and only reheat, and it must get properly hot everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
1 day (24 hours) at most, provided you got it into the fridge within about 1 hour of cooking. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it straight away.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes, for up to about 2–3 months. Freeze it in flat portions as soon as it has cooled, and after thawing reheat it thoroughly just once.
Can you reheat rice twice?
No. Reheat rice only once, until it’s steaming hot. Throw away whatever is left after that.
Is rice left out overnight safe to eat?
No. Cooked rice left at room temperature overnight may contain a heat-stable toxin. Reheating won’t help: throw it away.
Does uncooked rice expire?
It has a best-before date. Stored dry, white rice often keeps 1 year or more past it. Throw it away if you find beetles, webbing, mold or a rancid smell.
All figures are guidelines for food that is stored correctly and kept chilled. No guarantee: when in doubt, throw it out. Take extra care during pregnancy and with young children, older or vulnerable people.