How long does white rice last in the fridge?
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On average, cooked rice keeps in the refrigerator for four to seven days. Based on how the rice smells or its texture, you may have to discard cooked rice sooner than the period. If you are doubtful about how long rice lasts in the fridge? Cooked rice can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 days. Frozen rice can last for a more extended period.
However, don’t rely just on this rule: utilize your sense of smell or even the texture of the rice to determine whether it’s still safe to eat.
Then it’s worth noting that the 4–7-day guideline only applies to white and wild rice; brown rice will expire much sooner. Dry white rice can survive up to two years when maintained at room temperature, whereas brown rice only lasts approximately six months. They have a longer shelf life when refrigerated or frozen.
Does rice go off?
Yes, cooked rice may go bad, based on the place and the container in which it is stored. Here are some signs that your rice could be no longer edible.
- It has an unusual odor. If your rice smells foul and sour, it indicates that bacteria has already begun to form in your leftovers, so it’s better to toss it out.
- Rice is rough, dry, and crumbly. Rice that’s been in the refrigerator for an extended period has lost a lot of moisture. Consider this a red flag when kept there for too long, even if it doesn’t smell odd yet.
- The rice has a slimy texture. This indicates that the rice is more than enough cold with too much moisture, promoting bacterial growth and leading to the earliest fermentation stages.
You may get food poisoning if you eat spoiled rice—food poisoning is determined through diarrhea, vomiting, and even an upset stomach.
If you have food poisoning due to the outdated rice, drink plenty of water. Fast for a few hours, gradually re-establish your stomach by eating bland foods like bananas and saltines.
Does the rice variety make a difference?
White rice lasts slightly longer than other types, but just not significantly. Brown rice, for example, is only kept in the fridge for four to five days. This is an average estimation that brown rice is less treated than white rice, and the oils in it, which are healthier, also lead it to spoil sooner. Wild rice has the same shelf life as white rice, lasting 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
To keep any rice leftovers from going rancid, you can freeze cooked rice. However, because the rice has lost moisture throughout the freezing process, you must add additional moisture, such as butter or olive oil, to the leftover rice.
Cooked rice can last less than a week in the refrigerator, whereas frozen rice can last up to eight months in the freezer before it becomes unfit to eat. Cooking rice in large batches, preserving it in airtight containers, and freezing reduces meal prep time and eliminates food waste.
Tips for storing cooked rice
- Before putting your rice in the refrigerator, let it cool thoroughly.
- Moisture in rice promotes bacterial growth and hasten the decomposition of the rice. It would help if you utilized airtight containers. To keep moisture out of cooled rice, use resealable plastic bags and otherwise airtight containers.
- Only reheat what you intend to eat. Bacteria thrive when rice is reheated or cooled repeatedly, so only heat the portion you’ll be consuming. If you have too much rice, you can freeze it.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Dry rice has a different shelf life than cooked rice; however, most rice types have the same shelf life once cooked. If you notice any difference in the rice’s smell, texture, taste, and signs of mold development or bugs, throw it away.
