How long does rice last in the fridge?
US and UK guidance give very different answers for cooked rice. Here is what each one says, how to cool, reheat and freeze rice, how long dry rice keeps, and the official pages behind every number.
Short answer: The USDA’s FoodKeeper gives cooked rice 4 to 6 days in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer. The NHS in the UK is stricter: if you are not going to eat cooked rice straight away, put it in the fridge within 1 hour, eat it within 24 hours and reheat it only once. Uncooked white rice keeps 2 years in the pantry and brown rice 1 year, according to FoodKeeper.
How long rice lasts: US and UK guidance
US times from the USDA’s FoodKeeper, plus the FDA’s 2-hour rule for food left out; UK times from the NHS. A dash means the page gives no time.
| Rice | US guidance | UK guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked rice, in the fridge | 4 to 6 days | Within 24 hours; into the fridge within 1 hour of cooking |
| Cooked rice, in the freezer | 6 months | — |
| Cooked rice left out | Into the fridge within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90 °F (32 °C) | Throw it away if it was left out overnight |
| Uncooked white or wild rice, in the pantry | 2 years from purchase | — |
| Uncooked brown rice, in the pantry | 1 year from purchase | — |
Why the US and UK numbers differ
FoodKeeper lists cooked rice at 4 to 6 days in the fridge. The NHS gives rice its own, shorter rule. It explains that the spores of some food poisoning bugs can survive cooking: if cooked rice is left standing at room temperature, the spores can germinate, and the bacteria then multiply and produce toxins that reheating will not get rid of. Follow the guidance where you live; if you want one rule for everything, the NHS’s 24 hours is the shorter one.
How PantryWeave keeps track of your rice
PantryWeave keeps your Kitchen up to date as you shop and cook.
Stored in the right place
Kitchen shows where each item should be stored. When you finish your shopping list, or move items to Kitchen, each one goes into the right place: fridge, freezer or pantry.
Tracked by where it is kept
Kitchen follows freshness, or the suggested day to use an item, by where it is stored. Freshness checks with a Use first shelf show which ingredients need eating soon.
Stock updates when you cook
When you mark a meal as cooked, PantryWeave asks you to confirm and updates Kitchen stock automatically. Kitchen then knows how much rice is left.
A guide, with the food itself as the check
Freshness dates in the app follow where each item is stored and are a guide. Check the food itself before you eat it.
How to cool and store cooked rice
- Cool it within an hour. The NHS says to cool cooked rice within 1 hour of cooking and keep it in the fridge until you reheat it or use it cold, for example in a salad.
- Cover it. Store food in the fridge in covered containers or sealed storage bags, the FDA advises.
- Watch the clock. In the US, perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90 °F (32 °C). In the UK, throw away rice and grains left at room temperature overnight.
- Bought cooked rice? For cold rice or grain salads you buy, follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the label, says the NHS.
Can you reheat rice?
Yes, once. The NHS says rice should be reheated thoroughly, to a core temperature of 70 °C for 2 minutes (or equivalent), so it is steaming hot throughout, and that it should not be reheated more than once. Only reheat rice that has been chilled and kept in the fridge since it was cooked.
US guidance for reheating leftovers is 165 °F (74 °C), checked with a food thermometer. In a microwave, stir the rice while it reheats: the UK Food Standards Agency notes that microwaved food can be very hot at the edges and still cold in the middle.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes. FoodKeeper gives cooked rice 6 months in the freezer. Defrost it in the fridge and, once it has fully defrosted, use it within 24 hours, as the UK Food Standards Agency advises for frozen food. Freezing it in portions means you only defrost what you need.
Does uncooked rice go bad?
Dry rice keeps a long time: FoodKeeper lists uncooked white or wild rice at 2 years in the pantry and brown rice at 1 year, counted from the date of purchase. The EPA suggests keeping grains in airtight containers labeled with the contents and the date.
Spoiled food develops an off odor, flavor or texture, and should not be eaten, according to the USDA.
Where the numbers come from
Read on October 30, 2026.
- USDA FoodKeeper (cooked rice, uncooked white, wild and brown rice)
- NHS: storing and reheating rice
- FDA: cutting food waste at home (covered containers, the 2-hour rule)
- USDA: leftovers (reheating to 165 °F)
- Food Standards Agency: cooking and reheating (stirring in the microwave)
- Food Standards Agency: chilling, freezing and defrosting (defrosting, 24 hours after defrosting)
- EPA: preventing wasted food at home (storing grains)
- USDA: food product dating (signs of spoilage)
Frequently asked questions
How long does cooked rice last in the fridge?
4 to 6 days, according to the USDA’s FoodKeeper. In the UK, the NHS says to put cooked rice in the fridge within 1 hour and eat it within 24 hours.
Can you reheat rice?
Yes, once. The NHS says to reheat rice until it reaches a core temperature of 70 °C for 2 minutes (or equivalent) and is steaming hot throughout, and not to reheat it more than once.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes. FoodKeeper gives cooked rice 6 months in the freezer. Defrost it in the fridge and use it within 24 hours of fully defrosting, as the UK Food Standards Agency advises for frozen food.
Does uncooked rice go bad?
It keeps a long time: 2 years in the pantry for white or wild rice and 1 year for brown rice, counted from the date of purchase, according to FoodKeeper.
Can you eat rice left out overnight?
No. The NHS says to throw away rice and grains that have been left at room temperature overnight. US guidance is to refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours.
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