How long does cooked rice last?

Checked 24 Oct 20264 official publishers, 5 sources

Cooked rice: 3-4 days in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer for best quality.

Official stance

“It is not safe to add rice or pasta to any home canned product (i.e.: soup).” Extension

Storage times for cooked rice by state and place
State	Counter	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Cooked rice	2 hours max CDC	3-4 days FoodKeeper Extension Sources disagree: 4-6 days FoodKeeper	1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper Sources disagree: 2 months; 6 months Extension FoodKeeper

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Cooked rice	-	4-6 days	6 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Cooked rice	-	3-4 days	1-2 months
Nebraska Extension	Cooked rice	-	3-4 days	2 months
CDC 2025	Cooked rice	2 hours	-	-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

“Uncooked rice may contain the spores of the bacteria, Bacillus cereus.” Extension
“If rice is left standing at room temperatures for too long, the bacteria can multiply to amounts that can make people sick.” Extension
“place the rice in shallow containers that are no more than 3 inches deep. Put the rice into the refrigerator for quick cooling.” Extension
“Reheating frozen rice with a tablespoon or two of water or with added vegetables will help provide moisture.” Extension
Cooked rice frozen on its own for later use can turn mushy and taste warmed over. Extension
“While hot, spread rice evenly on a baking sheet or in shallow freezer containers. Let rice cool about 20 minutes.” Extension
“When reheated, frozen rice tends to dry out quickly. Use immediately to avoid this issue.” Extension
“Frozen rice and pasta can be added directly to dishes. This method works best when adding to soups or stews.” Extension

What the sources say

USDA FoodKeeper has two entries that cover cooked rice: 4 to 6 days in the fridge for cooked rice itself, and 3 to 4 days for leftovers without meat, fish, poultry or egg, which it says includes rice.¹²

Nebraska Extension also gives 3 to 4 days for reheated leftovers of cooked rice, so the shorter time is shown first.³²¹

Freezer times differ as well: FoodKeeper lists 6 months for cooked rice and 1 to 2 months for leftovers without meat, while Nebraska Extension says frozen rice is best used within 2 months.¹²³

The National Center for Home Food Preservation adds that cooked rice frozen on its own for later use can turn mushy and taste warmed over.⁵

The reason for care with rice is Bacillus cereus: Nebraska Extension notes that uncooked rice may carry its spores, and that rice left at room temperature too long lets the bacteria multiply.³

To cool it quickly, Nebraska Extension suggests shallow containers no more than 3 inches deep, put straight into the fridge and covered once cool.³

For the freezer, Nebraska Extension suggests spreading the rice on a baking sheet or in shallow freezer containers while still hot, letting it cool about 20 minutes, then bagging and labeling it.³

Frozen rice dries out quickly once reheated, so it advises using it right away, or adding it frozen straight into soups or stews, where it thaws and heats in the liquid.³

Nebraska Extension also says it is not safe to add rice to any home canned product, such as soup.³

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour rule Freezing and refreezing Reheating to 165 °F Fridge and freezer temperature

Cooked chicken Hard boiled eggs

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 178: Cooked rice. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cooked rice. Refrigerate: 4-6 Days; Freeze: 6 Months
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 174: Leftovers, without meat, fish, poultry, or egg (such as cooked vegitables, rice, or potatoes). USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Leftovers, without meat, fish, poultry, or egg (such as cooked vegitables, rice, or potatoes). Refrigerate: 3-4 Days; Freeze: 1-2 Months
Freezing Rice and Pasta | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Enjoy reheated leftovers of cooked rice for 3-4 days.Frozen rice is best if used within 2 months.Uncooked rice may contain the spores of the bacteria, Bacillus cereus.If rice is left standing at room temperatures for too long, the bacteria can multiply to amounts that can make people sick.place the rice in shallow containers that are no more than 3 inches deep. Put the rice into the refrigerator for quick cooling.Reheating frozen rice with a tablespoon or two of water or with added vegetables will help provide moisture.While hot, spread rice evenly on a baking sheet or in shallow freezer containers. Let rice cool about 20 minutes.When reheated, frozen rice tends to dry out quickly. Use immediately to avoid this issue.Frozen rice and pasta can be added directly to dishes. This method works best when adding to soups or stews.It is not safe to add rice or pasta to any home canned product (i.e.: soup).
Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
Foods That Do Not Freeze Well - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cooked macaroni, spaghetti or rice When frozen alone for later use Mushy, tastes warmed over
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.