30 Nov 2024

How long can cooked rice stay in the fridge


Cooked rice which is not eaten can stay in the fridge for up to 6 days which is the period for cooked rice to last. The time frame for keeping rice in the fridge will depend on the day after the cooked rice was being placed in the fridge. You should count the date from day 1 to day 6.


How long is rice good for in the fridge?
6 days storage period is the estimated time frame for rice to be good for in the fridge. The stored rice should not exceed six day period in the fridge. The mentioned time frame is ideal for keeping cooked rice in the fridge. If removed from the fridge, it should be reheated immediately at a temperature of 74°C to eliminate harmful bacteria which might have developed on the cooked rice.


Therefore refrigeration is essential to determine how long can cooked rice stay in the fridge before consumption.


You should not place back cooked rice that was reheated in the fridge. The reheated cooked rice will lose its flavor if it is again stored in the fridge.


You are also not allowed to reheat refrigerated cooked rice more than one time. If you reheat refrigerated rice for many times, the flavor and moisture of cooked rice will decline.


Before reheating cooked rice that has been removed from the fridge, add some little water or broth which ensures that rice stays fluffy and tasty.


You can use different ways to reheat refrigerated cooked rice as mentioned below;

  • Stove can be used to reheat refrigerated cooked rice before consumption.

  • Microwave is also used to warm the cooked rice which was being refrigerated for some days.

  • Oven is another option which can be used to reheat cooked rice which was being kept in the fridge before consumption.


    • The storage container is also important to determine how long does cooked rice last in the fridge without getting spoiled. The storage container used to fill in the cooked rice before placing in the fridge should not have any cracks or damage.


    Cooked rice stored in the fridge should not be consumed in large quantities since it can cause some health complications such as;

  • Stomach ache. You might experience pain in the stomach after consuming too much refrigerated cooked rice.

  • Diarrhoea. Overconsumption of refrigerated cooked rice can also cause passing of watery stool hence making the body to loss water or dehydrated.


    • To eat refrigerated cooked rice, follow the steps below:

  • Remove cooked rice from the fridge and serve before or after reheating. You can decide to either reheat or not to reheat.

  • You should consume cooked rice at moderate amounts. You should eat less refrigerated cooked rice.


    • How to store cooked rice in fridge


  • Cooling hot cooked rice before refrigeration will have an influence on how long can rice stay in the fridge. Cooked rice should be left to cool within 2 hours before refrigeration hence avoiding the appliance's internal temperature from rising.

  • The cooked rice should be stored at a temperature of 4°C in the fridge. This temperature is ideal to keep the cooked rice and will prevent bacteria growth.

  • The container in which cooked rice is to be sealed should not have any cracks. The cooked rice stored in the fridge should not be exposed to air or moisture.

  • The container for storing cooked rice in the fridge should be labelled to avoid confusing the date. Marking on the container which contains the sealed cooked rice will help to avoid overstoring of cooked rice in the fridge.

  • You should avoid storing cooked rice which was left out overnight in the fridge. The rice will become contaminated or rancid, instead you have to reheat it and consume leaving no leftovers.

    • In conclusion, how long can cooked rice stay in the fridge will depend on the number of storage days.