How long does rice last?
Quick answer
Rice (white or wild, opened) keeps 3-4 days in the fridge.
- White or wild, opened 3-4 days in the fridge
- Brown, opened 6 months in the fridge
Fridge
After cooking
3-4days
Freezer
No known time
-
Pantry
1year
Mine has been in the fridge for
Refreeze after thawing in the fridge?
- United States
- Yes
- United Kingdom
- Only after cooking
How long does rice last in the fridge?
- White or wild, opened3-4 daysAfter cooking
- Brown, opened6 monthsAfter opening
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 rice last in the freezer?
- General guidance6 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 rice?
Yes.
How to defrost 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 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 rice be kept out of the fridge?
- White or wild2 years
- White or wild, opened1 year
- Brown1 year
- Brown, opened1 year
All forms at a glance
| Form | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| White or wild | - | - | 2 years |
| White or wild, opened | 3-4 days | - | 1 year |
| Brown | - | - | 1 year |
| Brown, opened | 6 months | - | 1 year |
| General guidance | - | 6 months | - |
What the official sources say
“Rice and dried pasta 2 years After cooking, 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator”
“Rice, white 2 years 4-6 days, cooked 6 months, cooked”
Frequently asked questions
How long does rice last in the fridge?
White or wild, opened: 3-4 days; Brown, opened: 6 months.
How long does rice last in the freezer?
General guidance: 6 months. Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Can you freeze rice?
Yes.
Can you refreeze rice?
In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking; In the United States: Yes.
Good to know
Other figures given by the sources for close variants:
- Rice, white or wild Fridge 6 months Pantry 1 year
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
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension US
- University of Illinois Extension US
- Utah State University Extension US
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension US
- Colorado State University Extension US
- Montana State University Extension US
- Ohio State University Extension US
- Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech) US
- Iowa State University Extension US
- USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data US
- USDA FSIS Safe Food Handling and Preparation US