How long does cooked rice last?
Quick answer
Cooked rice keeps 1 day in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.
Fridge
After cooking
1day
Freezer
Can be frozen: yes
3months
Pantry
No known time
-
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
- Cooked rice1 dayAfter cooking
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
How long does cooked rice last in the freezer?
- Cooked rice3 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Your freezer should be around -18°C
A freezer acts as a pause button - food in a freezer won’t go bad and most bacteria cannot grow in it.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes.
How to defrost cooked rice safely
- In the fridge
- In cold water, cook it straight after defrosting
- In the microwave, cook it straight after defrosting
- Cook it from frozen
You should defrost your food in the fridge so that it doesn’t get too warm
It’s also important to use food within 24 hours after it’s been fully defrosted
There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave.
Check the water frequently to be sure it stays cold. Change the water every 30 minutes. After thawing, cook immediately.
It is safe to cook foods from the frozen state. The cooking will take approximately 50% longer than the recommended time for fully thawed or fresh meat and poultry.
Can you refreeze cooked rice?
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
- In the United StatesYes
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Food thawed in the refrigerator can be refrozen without cooking, although there may be some loss of quality.
Foods thawed by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.
After cooking raw foods which were previously frozen, it is safe to freeze the cooked foods.
Can cooked rice be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for cooked rice.
What the official sources say
“Keep rice in the fridge for no more than one day until reheating.”
“do not store it for longer than 24 hours before eating”
“If you are not going to eat cooked rice immediately, refrigerate it within 1 hour and eat it within 24 hours.”
“Rice placed in the fridge should be eaten within 24 hours and never reheated more than once.”
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
Cooked rice: 1 day.
How long does cooked rice last in the freezer?
Cooked rice: 3 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes.
Can you refreeze cooked rice?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Can cooked rice be kept out of the fridge?
Official sources give no room-temperature (cupboard) storage time for cooked rice.
Sources
We always show the most cautious time among official sources. Last checked: 1 October 2026.
- FoodSafety.gov Cold Food Storage Chart US
- Food Standards Agency - consumer food hygiene guidance GB
- NHS website - food safety pages GB
- Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust GB
- Food Standards Scotland GB
- UK Government GB
- Lichfield District Council GB
- Love Food Hate Waste (WRAP) GB
- NHS GB
- Surrey Environment Partnership GB
- Worcestershire County Council GB
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US
Values we do not display (1)
Values below were set aside: unconfirmed by a second independent source, or contradicted by a shorter time.
- Cooked rice, fridge: 4-6 days (fsis.usda.gov, not confirmed by a second source)