How long does rice last?
Quick answer
Rice (white or wild, opened) keeps 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- White or wild, opened 3-4 days in the refrigerator
- Brown, opened 6 months in the refrigerator
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 refrigerator?
- White or wild, opened3-4 daysAfter cooking
- Brown, opened6 monthsAfter opening
Refrigerators should be set to maintain a temperature of 40 °F or below.
Your fridge should be set between 0 and 5°C.
How long does rice last in the freezer?
- General guidance6 months
Freezer times are for quality; frozen food stays safe.
Food stored constantly at 0 °F will always be safe. Only the quality suffers with lengthy freezer storage.
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.
Can you freeze rice?
Yes.
How to thaw rice safely
- In the refrigerator
- In cold water, cook it right after thawing
- In the microwave, cook it right after thawing
- Cook it from frozen
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.
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
Can you refreeze rice?
- In the United StatesYes
- In the United KingdomOnly after cooking
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.
You can freeze food again once cooked, but you’ll only be able to reheat it once after that
Can rice be stored at room temperature?
- 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 refrigerator?
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 States: Yes; In the United Kingdom: Only after cooking.
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 verified: October 1, 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