Cooked rice keeps 4 to 6 days in the fridge, 6 months frozen
Quick answer
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Room temperature
Keeps for up to 2 years
Keep uncooked white or wild rice in the pantry, where it lasts 2 years unopened and 1 year once opened, while brown rice lasts 1 year.
Watch out Cooked rice doesn't belong in the pantry, so refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking.
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Fridge
Keeps for 4-6 days
Cover cooked rice or seal it in an airtight container, and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking.
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Freezer
Keeps for up to 6 months
Freeze cooked rice in airtight packaging, and reheat it to 165°F (74°C) before eating.
Watch out Rice mixed with meat, fish, poultry, or egg keeps only 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
Cooked rice lasts 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. Uncooked white or wild rice keeps 2 years in the pantry unopened, and brown rice keeps 1 year. Refrigerate cooked rice within 2 hours of cooking, in a covered container.
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Cooked rice lasts 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator and 6 months in the freezer. Uncooked rice keeps much longer, from 1 to 2 years in the pantry.
The times below come from the USDA’s FoodKeeper data and its guidance on leftovers and food safety.
How long does rice last in the fridge?
Cooked rice lasts 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator. Uncooked rice lasts 6 months in the refrigerator after you open the package.
How long is cooked rice good for in the fridge?
Cooked rice is good for 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator. Count from the day you cooked it.
Refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C). Divide large amounts into shallow containers so the rice cools quickly.
How long does rice with meat, fish, or egg last?
Leftovers that contain meat, fish, poultry, or egg keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Fried rice with chicken is one example.
These leftovers keep 2 to 3 months in the freezer.
How long does uncooked rice last in the fridge?
Uncooked rice keeps 6 months in the refrigerator after opening. That’s true for white, wild, and brown rice.
It lasts longer in the pantry. See the shelf life section below.
How to store cooked rice
Cover cooked rice, wrap it in airtight packaging, or seal it in a container, then refrigerate it within 2 hours. This keeps bacteria out, keeps moisture in, and stops the rice from picking up odors from other food.
The time limit matters. Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. Keep cold food at or below 40°F (4°C).
Can you freeze rice?
Yes, cooked rice keeps 6 months in the freezer. Rice mixed with meat, fish, poultry, or egg keeps 2 to 3 months.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
You can freeze cooked rice for 6 months. Cover it, wrap it in airtight packaging, or seal it in a container first.
Thaw frozen rice in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave, or reheat it straight from frozen. After thawing in the refrigerator, use it within 3 to 4 days.
It’s safe to refreeze leftovers after reheating them to 165°F (74°C). You can also thaw a large container in the refrigerator, take what you need, and refreeze the rest without reheating.
Does rice go bad?
Yes, all rice has a time limit. Cooked rice lasts 4 to 6 days in the refrigerator, and uncooked rice lasts from 1 to 2 years in the pantry.
Cooked rice is the one to watch. Never leave it out of refrigeration for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
Does rice vinegar go bad?
Rice vinegar keeps 2 years in the pantry from the date you buy it, the USDA FoodKeeper time for vinegar. The same goes for rice wine vinegar.
It doesn’t need the refrigerator. FoodKeeper lists vinegar as a pantry item and gives it no refrigerator time.
Shelf life of uncooked rice
Uncooked white or wild rice keeps 2 years in the pantry unopened and 1 year once opened. Uncooked brown rice keeps 1 year in the pantry, both unopened and after opening.
After opening, either kind keeps 6 months in the refrigerator.
How to reheat rice
Reheat rice until it reaches 165°F (74°C), measured with a food thermometer. Cover it while reheating so it keeps moisture and heat all the way through.
In the microwave, cover the rice and stir or rotate it for even heating. Add some liquid if needed.
Rice storage times at a glance
Use this table to check how long each kind of rice keeps.
| Rice | Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked rice | Not recommended | 4 to 6 days | 6 months |
| Cooked rice with meat, fish, poultry, or egg | Not recommended | 3 to 4 days | 2 to 3 months |
| Uncooked white or wild rice | 2 years unopened, 1 year opened | 6 months after opening | Not covered |
| Uncooked brown rice | 1 year, 1 year after opening | 6 months after opening | Not covered |
Frequently asked questions
How long can cooked rice sit out?
No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F (32°C). Bacteria can double in number in as little as 20 minutes between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C).
Should you cover rice before refrigerating it?
Yes. Cover it, wrap it in airtight packaging, or seal it in a container. That keeps bacteria out, keeps moisture in, and stops the rice from picking up odors.
Can you reheat frozen rice without thawing it?
Yes. You can reheat frozen leftovers straight from frozen, as long as they reach 165°F (74°C).
Can you refreeze rice?
Yes, after reheating it to 165°F (74°C). You can also thaw a large container in the refrigerator, take what you need, and refreeze the rest without reheating.
How long does thawed rice last in the fridge?
Use rice within 3 to 4 days after thawing it in the refrigerator.
