I don’t know about you, but there have been many times when I’ve misjudged how much cooked rice I need for a meal and wind up with leftovers. I don’t want any going to waste, but is it even safe to store leftover rice? Can you freeze cooked rice? Here’s everything you need to know.
Can You Freeze Cooked Rice?
Yes! You can easily freeze cooked rice, which is great if you’ve made too much or want to shave down how much time you spend making dinner. You can also freeze rice that has other ingredients mixed in, including veggies or meat, as a simple part of your weekly meal prep.
How to Freeze Rice
Here’s your crash course in freezing rice the right way. Rice may have spores of the Bacillus cereus bacteria lurking among its grains. Spores can survive the cooking process and lead to food poisoning if the rice is left out, so freezing rice shortly after it has been cooked is a must. Since the bacteria thrive at room temperature, sticking rice in the freezer stops potential bacteria growth in its tracks. It also makes freezing a better option than refrigeration.
We’ve found that certain types of rice, like arborio, sushi rice, and bomba (used in paella) freeze better than jasmine or basmati rice.
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Rice in the Freezer?
Frozen rice lasts up to a month in the freezer. When you’re ready to take it out, reheat your rice in the microwave. Just make sure it’s completely heated through and piping hot before you tuck in. Avoid reheating rice more than once. Repeated reheating can create the conditions needed for that nasty bacteria to grow. If you have any leftovers after reheating, scrape them into the garbage.
Learn more about how to reheat rice.
Recipes to Make with Your Rice
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Sausage Ratatouille
You’ll feel like Ratatouille’s great chef Remy when you serve this veggie-packed dish party guests will rave about. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you: Pantry staples and an easy-cook method make this one a cinch. —Janine Freeman, Blaine, Washington
Lemon Rice Pilaf
No need to buy premade pilaf mix when you can easily make your own in 20 minutes. The lemon zest adds a welcome burst of tang. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken
I love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Thai Coconut Beef
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Kung Pao Wings
Served as an entree over hot cooked rice, these delicious drummettes have plenty of personality—with sweet red pepper for color, red pepper flakes for zip and peanuts for crunch. These kung pao chicken wings are quick and easy to fix, too. -Kathleen Evans, Lacey, Washington
Orange Chicken Stir-Fry
My husband loves this orange chicken stir-fry, so we have it quite often. I'm delighted with the ingredients as we have six orange trees in our backyard. —Bunny Bronson, Lake Placid, Florida
Turkey Curry with Rice
When I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Thai Scallop Saute
Just open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mexican Fiesta Platter
This recipe proves you don't need to fuss to feed an appetizer to a crowd. With generous layers of beef, rice, corn chips and cheese, it's a nacho lover's dream!—Ann Nace, Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Creole Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish, coming from our Spanish and French culture. Rice is the main ingredient, with different meats or seafood mixed in. I particularly like this variation with shrimp and ham. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Asparagus Beef Teriyaki
This simple, savory creation is made in the time it takes to steam a pot of rice. About 20 minutes and—boom!—you’re dishing dinner. —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
Curried Turkey Soup
This colorful soup is a delight to serve the day after Thanksgiving. Best of all, it comes together in the slow cooker, allowing you some time to get a head start on your holiday shopping. —Holly Bauer, West Bend, Wisconsin
Creamy Turkey Casserole
I sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for the casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Easy Asian Glazed Meatballs
As a writer and busy mom of three boys, I need tasty meals on the quick. We serve these glazed meatballs over a steaming bed of rice. —Amy Dong, Woodbury, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Golombki
I modified my mom's classic Polish dish to fit my hectic life. Instead of boiling the cabbage and then filling it with beef, I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker. It's much easier and tastes just as good. —Mary Walker, Clermont, Florida
Chicken Wings Fricassee
These old-fashioned sautéed chicken wings with flavorful gravy are equally impressive and inexpensive. They usually draw compliments—and second helpings.—Sundra Lewis, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Turkey a la King with Rice
I like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Everyone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
New Orleans Gumbo
I’ve been making this New Orleans gumbo for at least 30 years. I’m originally from New Orleans, and I think it’s a nice taste of the Vieux Carre (French Quarter). Everyone who tastes this gumbo wants the recipe. It’s an old standby for my family, who requests it frequently. —Dolores M. Bridges, Danville, Kentucky
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Cooking the stuffed peppers in a slow cooker is not only convenient, the long cooking process improves the flavor of the filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sweet and Tangy Chicken
Spicy barbecue sauce blends with sweet pineapple in this quick-to-fix chicken dish. It's tasty enough for a company dinner; just add a salad and rolls. —Mary Zawlocki, Gig Harbor, Washington
Chickpea & Potato Curry
I make chana masala, the classic Indian dish, in my slow cooker. Browning the onion, ginger and garlic first really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas
Spicy Shrimp with Rice
No one will doubt that "light" cooking can be tasty when you put a helping of this zippy shrimp in front of them. The seafood is seasoned just right with garlic, pepper and hot sauce. — Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooker Spinach & Rice
I started making this in the slow cooker to save oven space during the holidays. It's so convenient, I no longer reserve it for special occasions!—Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Red Beans and Sausage
Turkey sausage, beans and a zesty blend of spices make this a deliciously unique meal.—Cathy Webster, Morris, Illinois
Easy Chili Verde
I love chili verde. I order it whenever I can at restaurants, and figured out how to make an easy, tasty version at home. People have the option to eat the chili verde with a fork or in tortillas with a variety of toppings such as cheese, cilantro, minced onions or lime wedges. There are never leftovers at my house. —Julie Rowland, Salt Lake City, Utah
Ginger Beef Stir-Fry
This savory stir-fry showcases tender slices of beef, while colorful carrots add crunch. For devoted meat-and-potatoes fans, replace the rice with mashed potatoes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Crawfish Etouffee
This crawfish etouffee is a fun and interesting dish to serve when entertaining. For some, it's an introduction to crawfish and Cajun food. Our favorite seafood restaurant features this dish on their menu and it's fabulous! —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
Chipotle Turkey Chilaquiles
As a frugal mom, I try to use leftovers in a way that provides good nutrition. This recipe does just that and it’s also a great way for my children to learn to enjoy the flavors of their Mexican heritage. —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington
Brazilian Pork & Black Bean Stew
During high school, I spent a year in Brazil and fell in love with the culture and food. One of my favorite dishes was feijoada, a chili-like stew served over white rice. I introduced this version to my family, and it has become one of our favorite comfort foods. —Andrea Romanczyk, Magna, Utah
Tropical Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin
When we crave something sweet and spicy, pork tenderloin cooked with chipotle, barbecue sauce and pineapple really delivers. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Black-Eyed Peas & Ham
Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, ColoradoThe post Can You Freeze Cooked Rice? Yes, and Here’s How. appeared first on Taste of Home.
Camille Berry