How Long Does Brown Rice Last?

Shelf Life Tips

• How long does brown rice last? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of uncooked brown rice, store in a cool, dry area.
• How long does brown rice last at room temperature? Properly stored, a package of brown rice will generally stay at best quality for about 3-6 months at room temperature.
• Due to the high oil content of brown rice, pantry storage will cause it to spoil relatively quickly compared to white rice.
• To maximize the shelf life of brown rice once the package is opened, transfer brown rice to a covered airtight container or place original brown rice bag in a resealable plastic freezer bag.
• Can you keep brown rice in the fridge or freezer? Yes, to further extend the shelf life of brown rice, refrigerate or freeze it; place the brown rice inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
• How long does brown rice last in the fridge? Brown rice will maintain best quality for about 6-12 months in the refrigerator.
• How long does brown rice last in the freezer? Properly stored, brown rice will maintain best quality for about 12-18 months in the freezer, but will remain safe beyond that time.
• The freezer time shown is for best quality only — brown rice that has been kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.
• Is brown rice safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it is properly stored and the package is undamaged - commercially packaged brown rice will typically carry a " Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the brown rice will remain at peak quality.
• Storage time shown is for best quality only - after that, the brown rice's texture, color or flavor may change, but in most cases, it will still be safe to consume if it has been stored properly, the package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below).
• How can you tell if brown rice is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the brown rice: if the brown rice develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if insects appear, it should be discarded.

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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here