The exact answer to the question “How long does rice last?” depends on the type of rice, whether it is cooked or uncooked, and the conditions under which the rice is stored. Follow these handy guidelines for keeping this popular side dish at its freshest.
Most types of uncooked rice have an indefinite shelf life. The main challenge is keeping it free of dust, insects and other contaminants.
So exactly how long does rice last if it is uncooked? White, wild, Arborio, jasmine and basmati rice all have an indefinite shelf life, when kept free from contaminants. The exception is brown rice — thanks to its higher oil content, it won’t keep nearly as long.
Shelf life for uncooked rice:
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STORAGE TIME
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Item
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Pantry
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Fridge
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Freezer*
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• White rice |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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Indefinite
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• Wild rice |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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Indefinite
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• Arborio rice |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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Indefinite
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• Jasmine rice |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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Indefinite
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• Basmati rice |
Indefinite
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Indefinite
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Indefinite
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• Brown rice |
3-6 months
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6-12 months
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12-18 months
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*Freezer time shown is for best quality only — foods kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.
- To maximize the shelf life of rice, store in a cool dry area; after opening the package, place the uncooked rice in a sealed airtight container or place original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag.
- For added protection against bugs, dust or other contaminants, uncooked rice may also be stored in the fridge or freezer; place rice in a sealed airtight container or place original package in a resealable heavy-duty freezer bag.
- How to tell if rice is bad? If bugs or other contaminants are found in rice, discard the entire package. Spoiled brown rice will often develop an oily texture and develop an off odor.
How long does rice last once it is cooked? The shelf life for cooked rice — all varieties, including white, wild, jasmine, basmati, Arborio, brown — is as follows:
• Refrigerator: 4 to 6 days
• Freezer: 6 months (best quality only — foods kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely)
Some tips for storing cooked rice:
- To maximize the shelf life of cooked rice, refrigerate in covered airtight containers.
- How long does cooked rice last at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; rice should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
- To further extend the shelf life of cooked rice, freeze it; freeze rice in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
- How long does cooked rice last in the freezer for safety purposes? The freezer time shown is for best quality only — foods kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.
- How to tell if cooked rice is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the cooked rice; discard any rice with an off smell or appearance, do not taste the cooked rice first.
- On the stovetop: Add 2 tablespoons of liquid per each cup of cooked rice. Cover and heat about five minutes on top of the stove.
- In the microwave: Add 2 tablespoons of liquid per each cup of cooked rice. Microwave on high power — allow about 1 minute for each cup of rice being reheated. To reheat frozen rice: microwave for 2 minutes on high power for each cup of rice.
