Can You Freeze Leftover Fried Rice? (Yes, and Here’s How)

Uncooked rice grains are so tiny that it’s only natural to think, “There’s no way that’ll feed everyone; I’ll just add a bit more…” … Next thing you know, the timer goes off, and you realize that, once again, you’ve got more rice than you know what to do with. 

Luckily, plain day-old rice works perfectly for fried rice. Accidental meal prep at its finest!

But what happens if you made so much steamed rice on day one, which you then served as fried rice on day two, that there are still leftovers? Do you want rice three days in a row? 

We know we wouldn’t. But we hate wasting food…

Can You Freeze Leftover Fried Rice?

Yes! You can freeze leftover fried rice then store it in portion-sized containers for up to six months. To ensure the safety and quality of the rice, it should be completely cooled before transferring to freezer-safe containers.

Now, let’s delve into the finer details of freezing, storing, and reheating fried rice, sprinkling in some of our favorite tips and recipe ideas along the way.

Food Safety First: Embrace Your Freezer

Freezers are one of the most underrated kitchen appliances ever. Here are some of the top reasons we love our freezers: 

• Store-bought freezer meals are great in a pinch
• Using frozen fruit and veggies can help cut down preparation time while cooking
• By freezing leftovers, we can avoid or reduce food waste
• Defrosting a home-cooked meal or ingredients can save both time and money
• Without freezers, there would be no ice cream…

Freezers are a lifesaver when managing time and money and avoiding unnecessary food waste. They also have their share of dangers, especially regarding food safety while thawing or defrosting. 

Although frozen food can last for months and even years without spoiling, mistakes made while preparing, freezing, and defrosting leftovers may make you sick.

Luckily, we’re here to help with the best steps and tips for freezing fried rice safely and successfully.

Location Matters: How to Prepare Leftover Fried Rice for Freezing

They say that when it comes to buying a new home, it’s all about location and timing. Well, the same goes for freezer safety. Here’s why:

When it comes to “location” while preparing to freeze your leftover fried rice, there are three things to consider: 

1. What type of container you are using 
2. Where you are portioning out the fried rice
3. Where in the freezer do you place the food

When setting out to freeze fried rice, we recommend dividing it up into your desired portion sizes and storing each one individually in the following ways: 

• A freezer-safe plastic bag with any excess air removed
• A freezer-safe tupperware with a sheet of parchment paper over the surface of the rice to protect against freezer burn

Why the pre-portioning? 

In our experience, repeatedly opening and closing containers can impact the fried rice’s texture, cause freezer burn and possibly let in disease-causing bacteria.

These bacteria are also why you should always let leftover fried rice cool in a clean location before freezing. Placing warm containers of fried rice in the freezer may cause your other frozen foods to thaw and refreeze, damaging their safety and quality.

At the same time, however, you want to leave the fried rice out for a short time since this may allow bacteria to enter the dish. 

Although many believe that freezing kills bacteria, this is not true! Freezing stops bacterial growth, so if any is already present, it will still be there post-thawing. 

We recommend placing the frozen leftover fried rice away from other freezer items in case it is not completely cooled. 

Thawing and Reheating: Press “Play” Again

As we just explained, freezing leftover fried rice “pauses” the growth of any existing bacteria. Thawing the rice is kind of like pressing “play” again.

To kill any potential contaminants, reheat the fried rice to around 165° F or 35° C before serving. We know that pulling out the food thermometer can be a hassle, so we just ensure that all the rice is piping hot throughout.

You can cook the fried rice straight from frozen by microwaving it or pan-frying it in oil or let it defrost in the fridge first and then proceed to microwave or pan-fry.

A quick tip: Microwaving may be better if you prefer softer fried rice. On the other hand, if you like your fried rice crispy, we recommend frying it in a generous amount of oil, stirring occasionally. 

Storage Life and Quality: A Matter of Time and Taste

When stored properly, fried rice can keep in the freezer for 3-6 months or longer. Once thawed, fried rice should not be refrozen. 

If you freeze the leftover fried rice in single-portion containers as suggested, this shouldn’t be a problem. If any is leftover, it can be stored in the fridge for a few days, but check closely for signs of spoilage like mold or off-putting smells. 

When you remove your fried rice from the freezer, you may notice some signs of freezer burn, such as icy crystals. As long as your food has remained frozen, eating will be safe. 

Freezer burn will not make your food inedible, but it will likely impact the fried rice’s taste and texture. To salvage your fried rice, we recommend scraping off any ice, removing any ice-encrusted sections, and adding extra seasoning or sauce while reheating to make up for the lost flavor. 

Maximizing the Quality: Tips for Reheating Fried Rice

For the safety and quality of your leftover fried rice, here are some of the most important things to remember in the freezing process: 

• Prepare fried rice for freezing in a clean space and using clean hands
• Let fried rice cool completely before storing
• Freeze fried rice in individual portions 
• Remove as much excess air from your containers as possible
• Don’t refreeze previously-frozen fried rice 
• Heat fried rice thoroughly before serving to kill any potential bacteria

Here are some additional tips to maximize the texture and taste of your reheated fried rice:

• If you serve your fresh fried rice with garnishes or creamy sauces, avoid adding them to the portions you plan to freeze (Feel free to freeze them separately!)
• Add spices and sauces during the cooking process. Mix other fresh ingredients, such as extra vegetables, tofu, pineapple, meat, or egg.
• If you like a softer texture, let the rice thaw in the fridge and then microwave to reheat.
• If you like a harder, crispier texture, cook rice frozen in a pan with oil.

Repurposing Frozen Fried Rice: Culinary Creativity Unleashed

Rice is the most versatile food in the world. It can be made into flour, patties, burgers, rice cakes, cereal, pudding, mochi, stir-fry, sushi, paella, porridge, salad, rice paper, noodles, bread, milk, puffs, granola, ice cream—the list is endless!

Although fried rice is somewhat less of an all-rounder than plain rice (no fried rice ice cream for us, thanks…), many creative ways exist to repurpose these leftovers. To add some flavor and flair to your frozen fried rice, try using it: 

• In stuffed peppers
• In burritos or wraps
• In casseroles
• As stuffing
• In rice paper rolls
• In salad
• In soups 
• Topped with cheese and baked
• Topped with a fried egg and avocado
• In a savory pie
• In a meatloaf
• Turned into fritters

Conclusion: Can Leftover Fried Rice Be Frozen?

• Making fried rice from leftover fresh rice, then freezing any leftovers can help you reduce food waste and save time and money on busy nights. 
• To ensure your fried rice’s safety and quality, let it cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or containers in single-serving portions with minimal empty airspace. 
• Whether you defrost the fried rice in the fridge or use it straight out of the freezer, be sure to heat it thoroughly before serving to kill any potential bacteria. After microwaving or pan-frying, the fried rice can be eaten as-is or incorporated into an entirely new meal.

In our experience, everyone makes fried rice a bit differently. If you have any special tips, secret ingredients, or creative hacks for leftover fried rice, we’d love to hear them!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): We’ve Got Answers!