Rice is one of those pantry staples that seems to have an indefinite shelf life. And while this is mostly true with uncooked rice (the exception being brown rice), cooked rice has a limit to how long it will last. You’ve done the sniff test, but are you still not sure? Maybe you can’t remember how long it’s been in the fridge? Here’s how to make the call on when to toss it.
How long does rice last in the fridge? Cooked white rice lasts in the fridge for four to seven days. If you store your rice properly it will have a much longer shelf life. However, don’t completely rely on this general rule: use your sense of smell or the rice’s texture to help you judge if it’s still safe to eat.
It’s super hard and dry.
This is your visual clue that the cooked rice in your fridge has reached the end of its days. Leftover rice will dry out more each day it sits in the fridge. But once the grains have become super hard, dry, or even crunchy, chances are that it’s been in the fridge well over a few days. Rice is best when eaten a few days from when it’s cooked. Any more than that and it’s safest to just toss it. Maximize the shelf life of cooked rice by storing it in an airtight container.
It was left unrefrigerated for too long.
It’s best to minimize the time cooked rice is left at room temperature. The moisture-rich environment offers ideal conditions for bacterial growth. And while refrigeration doesn’t stop that growth altogether, it certainly slows it down.
Uncooked rice can contain spores of a bacterium known as Bacillus cereus. Even after cooking, these spores can still survive. When the cooked rice isn’t handled, cooled, stored, or reheated properly, the bacteria can cause food poisoning.
So, if you left cooked rice sitting at room temperature for more than two hours before stashing it in the fridge, it might be better to cut your losses and toss it in the compost or trash.
How Long It Takes COOKED RICE To Go Bad In The Fridge?
FAQ
Can I eat rice after 7 days?
Is rice OK to eat after 5 days in the fridge?
Can rice last 6 days in fridge?
Can you keep rice for 5 days?
Can you eat rice after 4 days of refrigeration?
Eating rice after the fourth day of refrigeration is not recommended due to the potential for bacteria growth. Even if there are no bacteria, the quality of the rice will be dried out at this point, so it will be unpleasant to consume.
How long can rice stay in the fridge?
Cooked rice, cooled and stored correctly, lasts between three and five days. After this time, you must throw it away, as there is risk of food poisoning by bacteria.
Can you put rice in the fridge if it’s too hot?
Because the bacteria thrives at room temperature, you want to fully cool it before you put it in the fridge — if you stick it in when it’s too hot, especially in a closed container, the rice will stay at a higher temperature longer. Plus, the hot rice could heat up the overall fridge temperature, putting your other items at risk.
Can you freeze cooked rice after it’s been refrigerated?
If you’re not sure whether you’ll eat your cooked rice within five or six days, consider popping it in the freezer instead of the fridge. “You can keep frozen cooked rice on hand for three months and easily reheat it for a minute or two in the microwave for last-minute dinners,” Stinson says. Can you freeze it after it’s been refrigerated? You bet!