The Very Best Way to Safely Store and Reheat Leftover Rice, According to a Food Safety Expert

Rice in heavy-duty bowl

Rice is a beloved staple in the diets of many people around the world, and in some cultures, eaten at every meal. The versatile grain is a go-to side dish, a key component for dishes like New Orleans-style beans and rice and can even go in a sweet direction. It's also clutch for meal prepping because it's easy to make a big batch ahead of time and use it in multiple dishes over the course of a few days.

But storing leftover rice can be a bit tricky. Improperly stored leftovers can make you sick, so you need to make sure you're being smart and safe when stashing those precious grains. To help you learn the best way to safely store leftover rice, we talked to a couple of experts. First up was JJ Johnson, the chef and rice expert behind the rice-centric Fieldtrip restaurants in NYC and the author of The Simple Art of Rice, Recipes From Around the World for the Heart of Your Table. We also chatted with Candice Christian MPH, CHES, an Area Specialized Agent for Consumer and Retail Food Safety at North Carolina State University. Here's what you need to know.

Related: 20 Rice Recipes to Remember

What's the Best Way to Store Cooked Rice?

The quality and safety of your leftover rice is determined by how the rice was handled when it was freshly cooked. “Always let your cooked rice cool completely, uncovered, before refrigerating it; otherwise, the warm rice will trap a lot of moisture in the container and it will spoil faster,” says Johnson. “You can cool the rice quickly by spreading it out on a sheet pan, then transfer it to an airtight container once cooled.”

That's helpful advice, as the FDA recommends that rice be eaten or refrigerated as soon as possible after cooking. “Ideally as soon as the meal is over,” adds Christian. How soon is soon? Your leftover rice should make it from the table to the fridge within two hours according to the USDA. This is a good rule of thumb for most leftovers but is especially important when it comes to rice. When left too long at room temperature, harmful bacteria (specifically Bacillus cereus) grow rapidly in cooked rice and emit a toxin that could make you sick.

Related: 42 Super Simple Rice Bowl Recipes

How Long Can You Store Leftover Rice in the Fridge?

Once you’ve packed your rice and transferred it to the fridge, it will be good to eat for up to four days, according to the FoodKeeper app from FoodSafety.gov. Why such a short shelf life? The temperature of the typical refrigerator (41°) isn't cold enough to keep the toxin-emitting bacteria from growing entirely, it only slows it down. Because of that, it's best to eat your refrigerated rice as soon as possible.

Related: Brown Rice vs. White Rice—What's the Difference?

How Long Can You Store Leftover Rice in the Freezer?

The good news is that cooked rice is very freezer-friendly (witness the multiple frozen rice offerings at your local Trader Joe’s). Just put your cooled rice in a freezer-friendly air-tight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag and stick it in the freezer. Freezing the rice halts the growth of any bacteria. “It can be frozen indefinitely and it’s still safe to eat,” says Christian. “However, over time the quality degrades. Frozen rice is best to use within two to three months for quality,” she says.

How Can You Tell If Your Rice Has Gone Bad?

If you’re not sure how much time has passed since you first cooked your rice, be sure to check it before eating. Look for signs of mold and the amount of moisture left in the grains. If they appear extremely dry and brittle or dehydrated and stuck together, the rice is past its prime and is possibly no longer safe to consume. Johnson also recommends giving it a sniff. If the rice smells sour, rancid or off in any way, toss it in the trash or the compost.

Related: 6 Easy Things to Do With Rice

Does Microwaving Leftover Rice Kill Bacteria?

Heat can kill some bacteria, but not heat-resistant Bacillus cereus, which is the biggest concern when we're talking about leftover rice. This makes reheating rice more than once inadvisable as well. “Reheating multiple times increases the time the food is in the temperature danger zone (above 41°F to below 135°F), where bacteria that cause foodborne illness grow the fastest,” explains Christian. “When reheating food that will be held hot make sure it reaches 165° and is held at or over 135°.”

How Can You Safely Reheat Rice?

Follow these tips to safely reheat cooked rice that has been properly cooled and refrigerated.

On the stovetop: Add two tablespoons of water for each cup or rice, cover and heat over medium until thoroughly heated through (this can take about five minutes).

In the microwave: Cover and heat on High until heated through, allowing about one minute for each cup of rice. To reheat directly from the freezer (don’t let it defrost on the counter), heat the frozen rice on High until heated through, roughly two minutes per cup.

No matter what method you use, remember to fluff those little morsels with a fork before serving, and enjoy!

What Are the Best Uses for Leftover Cooked Rice?

Leftover rice can be used in salads, fried rice, or even dessert. Here are some recipes to try.

• Easy Turkey Fried Rice
• Eggs & Ham Fried Rice
• Curried Fried Rice with Shrimp & Pineapple
• Perfect Veggie Fried Rice
• 3 Great Rice Pudding Recipes
• Chicken & Rice with Cumin and Cilantro
• Simple Peas & Rice

Up next: The Best Way to Freeze Mushrooms So They Don't Get Slimy