← Use it up
What to make with leftover rice (before it goes bad)
Short answer: Cooked rice keeps 4–6 days in the fridge and about 6 months frozen (USDA FoodKeeper). The fastest ways to use it: fried rice, a burrito bowl, or stirred into soup.
8 ways to use it up
- Fried rice. Cold rice fries best. Add eggs, frozen peas and whatever vegetables need using.
- Burrito or rice bowls. Rice, beans, salsa and any cooked meat or roasted vegetables.
- Soup add-in. Stir a cup into chicken or vegetable soup in the last few minutes.
- Crispy rice cakes. Press rice into patties with an egg and pan-fry until golden.
- Stuffed peppers. Mix rice with cooked ground meat or beans and tomato sauce, then bake in peppers.
- Rice pudding. Simmer with milk, sugar and cinnamon until creamy.
- Breakfast porridge. Warm rice with milk, fruit and a little honey.
- Freeze it flat. Not hungry for rice this week? Freeze portions in flat bags for later.
How long it keeps
| Food | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Plain cooked rice | 4–6 days | 6 months |
| Rice mixed with meat, fish or egg | 3–4 days | 2–3 months |
Common questions
How long is leftover rice good for?
4–6 days in the fridge for plain cooked rice, and about 6 months in the freezer (USDA FoodKeeper). Rice dishes with meat or egg: 3–4 days.
Can you reheat leftover rice?
Yes. Reheat until it's steaming hot all the way through (165°F / 74°C), and refrigerate cooked rice within 2 hours of cooking.
Is old rice better for fried rice?
Day-old refrigerated rice is drier, so it fries without turning mushy.
Related
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper data. Recipe ideas are general suggestions. General information, not medical advice.