How to Freeze Rice

Do you ever freeze rice? We've done it with seasoned rice recipes, as well as plain rice, like basmati and jasmine. It is one of our family’s go-to cooking hacks for a variety of reasons:

1. Time saving: It's a make-ahead option and a convenient side dish for busy weeknights.
2. Economical. Freezing rice at home is much cheaper than buying it frozen at the store and it avoids wasting leftovers.
3. Convenient: If you're already making a side dish, just double it and freeze half for a future meal.

If you haven’t joined the bandwagon already, it’s not too late. This guide will give you all the tips for freezing cooked rice. When you're ready to eat, see our step-by-step guide to reheating rice.

How to freeze cooked rice

Freezing rice is very simple, but following these instructions will ensure the correct texture.

1. Spread the cooked rice into an even layer on a baking sheet, keeping it fluffed with the fork as you go (don’t press or smash it onto the pan). If the layer is thicker than your baking sheet, spread it onto additional sheets for thinner layers.
2. Allow it to cool on the counter or in the fridge until it has reached room temperature. Don’t rush this step - cooling it thoroughly maintains it’s fluffy texture and prevents it from becoming one giant clump in the freezer.
3. Scoop it into a zipper bag, squeezing out as much of the extra air as possible (it can also be stored in an airtight container or disposable baking pan). Gently pat the rice until the bag lays flat and place it in the freezer.

Pro tip: Freezing in flat bags on a baking sheet makes it easy to stack or store in tight spots in the freezer. Once they are completely frozen the cookie sheet can be removed.

What types of rice can you freeze?

You can freeze practically any type or pilaf recipe that you like. They all follow the same essential steps to be frozen and reheated. I have tried this with long grain white rice, brown rice, wild rice, Basmati rice, Jasmine rice, rice pilaf, Mexican rice, and even other grains like quinoa.

How long can you freeze cooked rice?

It will last 1-2 months. Stick to 1 month for the very best results. The more airtight the container the better the longer it will store.

How to use frozen rice?

First, it can simply be reheated for an easy side dish. This works best with rice pilaf or similar rice dishes. However, you can also use frozen rice in soups, stews, stuffed peppers, Mexican burritos, fried rice, rice cereal, and any other recipe that calls for it already cooked.

Can you freeze pilaf?

Freezing rice pilaf is a great way to make sure that you have a delicious side dish ready to go. Follow all the steps as listed above keeping this in mind:

• Cook the pilaf as normal, making sure that is cooked but not overly soft as that will result in a mushy final product.

Tips & tricks for freezing rice

• Freeze cooked rice while it is still fresh to keep it moist.
• Avoid overcrowding the sheet pan. The layer of rice should not rise above the rim of the sheet pan. If it does, use additional pans for thinner layers.
• Wait to freeze the rice until it is cool to keep it fluffy. Warm rice sticks and becomes clumpy.

Rice recipes that freeze well

Want to give freezing a try? Here are some of our family favorite recipes that work great for freezing! 

• Toasted Coconut Rice - Slightly sweet, definitely addictive, and subtly tropical. 
• Brown Butter Pilaf - Packed full of flavor with only 4 ingredients!
• Pineapple Lime Rice - A perfect compliment to tropical, Asian, or Mexican flavors. 
• Cilantro Lime Rice - A bright and zesty rice perfect in or alongside your favorite Mexican main dish.
• Orange Rice- An easy side dish infused with fresh oranges and studded with red cranberries.