How long does rice last in the fridge after it's cooked? The shelf life is much shorter than you think.
How Long Does Rice Last in the Fridge?
Updated on Aug. 24, 2024
Leftover rice is one of life’s simple pleasures. It’s ideal for making fried rice and easy to incorporate into other rice recipes, like stuffed peppers and rice pudding. Like any cooked food you’re saving for another day, an expiration date looms. How long does rice last in the fridge before going bad? Not as long as you’d hope.
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
According to Foodsafety.gov’s FoodKeeper App, prepared rice lasts four to six days in the fridge. Our Test Kitchen recommends no more than four days.
After four days, toss your rice to avoid potential food poisoning. Bacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacterium, is commonly found in the environment and can contaminate certain foods, including rice. Consuming a large amount of this bacteria can make you sick and lead to nausea and vomiting.
Fortunately, you can significantly lower your risk of food poisoning with proper food handling. The key to prevention? Cool and refrigerate cooked rice immediately. Place any leftover rice in the refrigerator to cool to below 40°F within one to two hours of cooking it.
Freezing rice is another option, but again, you must do so immediately after cooking. Freezing food helps stop bacteria from forming. If you choose to freeze rice, it will stay fresh for up to three months.
How to Tell If Rice Has Gone Bad
Since you can’t see or smell B. cereus, assume that rice has gone bad if you haven’t refrigerated it within one to two hours of cooking or if it’s been in the fridge for more than four days. If you keep the rice around longer, you may eventually notice mold develop. But you should use or toss rice long before that happens!
How to Reheat Rice
When reheating rice, be sure to heat it to an internal temperature of at least 165° to ensure that all potential bacteria have been destroyed. Add a little water or broth to your rice to prevent it from drying out.
You can reheat rice in the microwave or on the stovetop. To microwave, place the leftovers in a microwave-safe container with a splash of water or broth. Cover and heat until the rice is steaming and reaches 165°—simply stick a food thermometer into the middle of your rice bowl to know for sure.
To saute leftover rice on the stovetop, place it in a pan with the cooking oil of your choice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent clumps. If you’re reheating frozen rice, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight first.
Do not plan to reheat rice leftovers more than once. The risk of food poisoning goes up when the rice is cooled, cooked and then cooled again. Plus, leftover rice tends to dry out the longer it sits. Once you’ve enjoyed your leftovers once, throw out the rest and start planning your next comfort food dinner.
Related:
