How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
Three to four days by US guidance if it was cooled quickly; UK guidance says eat it within 24 hours. Why rice needs more care than other leftovers.
Photo by Seiya Maeda on Unsplash
Cooked rice keeps three to four days in the fridge by US food safety guidance, the same as most cooked leftovers, as long as it was cooled quickly and kept at 40°F (4°C) or colder. UK guidance is stricter: cool it within an hour and eat it within 24 hours. Both agree on the part that matters most, which is how fast the rice gets cold after cooking.
Why is rice different from other leftovers?
Uncooked rice can carry spores of a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. Cooking does not kill the spores. If cooked rice sits warm, they grow and make a toxin that reheating does not destroy. That is why rice left out on the counter for hours is a risk even if you heat it until it is steaming afterwards.
How do you cool rice quickly?
- Take it out of the pan or rice cooker as soon as it is done.
- Spread it out on a tray or in shallow containers, no deeper than about two inches.
- Put it in the fridge as soon as it stops steaming, and always within an hour.
- Do not leave a full pot to cool on the stove.
These steps are built into every rice recipe on this site, such as garlic chicken and rice bowls and chicken tikka with rice and peas.
Is it safe to eat cold rice?
Yes, if it was cooled quickly and kept in the fridge. Rice bowls eaten cold are fine on that basis. If you follow UK guidance, eat cold rice within a day.
Can you freeze cooked rice instead?
Yes, and it is the best way to keep rice for later in the week. Freeze it flat in portions once it has cooled. It is best within one to two months and reheats straight from frozen. The details are in can you freeze cooked rice.
How do you reheat it?
Sprinkle a little water over it, cover loosely and microwave for about two minutes, stirring halfway, until it is steaming hot all the way through. Reheat only the portion you will eat, and do not reheat rice more than once. Tips for keeping it soft are in how to stop rice drying out.
How can you tell if rice has gone off?
A sour smell or a slimy texture means throw it away. As with chicken, the bacteria that cause food poisoning do not always change how rice looks or smells, so go by time and cooling, not by sniffing. When in doubt, throw it out. For other foods, see how long meal prep lasts.
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