How to Store Leftover Rice Safely

General buying advice. Always check current specifications, prices and reviews with the retailer before you buy.

Rice is safe to eat, but cooked rice can cause food poisoning if it is left out or stored badly. The good news is that a few simple habits keep leftover rice safe.

Why rice needs care

Uncooked rice can contain bacteria that survive cooking. If cooked rice stays warm for too long, they can multiply and produce toxins that reheating does not remove. That is why cooling and storing it quickly matters.

Cool it quickly

Aim to cool leftover rice as quickly as you can, ideally within about an hour. Spreading it out in a shallow dish or tray helps it cool faster. Do not leave it on the hob or in the rice cooker on the warm setting for hours.

Store it in the fridge

Once cool, put the rice in a covered container and keep it in the fridge. As a general rule, eat it within a day. Check the guidance from the Food Standards Agency or NHS for the latest advice.

Reheat it properly

Reheat rice until it is steaming hot all the way through, and only reheat it once. Do not keep reheating the same portion. Throw away any leftovers that you have reheated.

Freezing

You can freeze cooled rice in portions, which is a handy way to avoid waste. Reheat it from frozen until it is steaming hot, and eat it straight away.