It can be tricky working out exactly how many cups of rice you will need for a meal and you end up with lots of leftovers. Or sometimes, you would like to have some cooked rice on hand ready to go when you come home from work. For these occasions, it’s a good idea to know exactly how to safely freeze cooked rice so you can enjoy it at your convenience.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes, you can freeze cooked rice. Cool it as quickly as possible by placing it in a shallow container in the fridge. Once the rice is completely cold, transfer it to freezer bags in desired portion sizes, flatten to about 3cm thick and expel as much air as possible before sealing tightly. This will ensure you can store the rice neatly and thaw it quickly.
Don’t forget to label and date your rice. You can keep it frozen for up to one month.
How do you reheat frozen rice?
Todefrost frozen cooked rice, place it in the fridge overnight and use within one day of thawing. You can also heat small portions of rice from frozen in the microwave.
Can you freeze fried rice?
Just like cooked rice, it’s important to first cool fried rice as quickly as possible in the fridge. Then, transfer fried rice to freezer bags in portion sizes you will later need and expel as much air as possible. Flatten and label the bags and keep in the freezer for up to one month.
To defrost frozen fried rice, place in the fridge overnight and use within one day.
Can you freeze risotto?
We do not recommend freezing risottos. The texture changes significantly and it would not taste like your original meal.
More tips on freezing food
- The ultimate guide to freezing almost anything
- Freeze-ahead mince mix
- How to freeze cakes
- How to freeze potatoes
- How to freeze and store rice
- How to freeze dairy
