Shelf Life Tips
- How long does leftover fried rice (Chinese food) last in the fridge or freezer? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - refrigerate fried rice within two hours of cooking or purchasing.
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To maximize the shelf life of leftover fried rice for safety and quality, refrigerate the fried rice in airtight containers.
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Properly stored, leftover fried rice will last for 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
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To further extend the shelf life of leftover fried rice, freeze it; freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long does leftover fried rice last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 6 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - leftover fried rice that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does leftover fried rice last after being frozen and thawed? Leftover fried rice that has been thawed in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking; fried rice that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.
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How long can leftover fried rice be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; leftover fried rice should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
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How to tell if leftover fried rice is bad? If leftover fried rice develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, or if mold appears, it should be discarded.
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