Determining if cooked brown rice has gone bad can be tricky. Unlike other grains, brown rice contains natural oils that can cause it to spoil more quickly. Follow these tips to check if your cooked brown rice is still safe to eat.
Check for visible signs of spoilage
Examine the rice carefully and look for any obvious signs that it has gone bad:
- Mold growth – This is an obvious sign of spoilage. You may see fuzzy mold growing on the surface of the rice or spots of mold distributed throughout.
- Strange colors – The rice may turn yellow or grey. Healthy rice is light brown.
- Slimy texture – Bad rice can develop a slimy, sticky texture on the surface.
- Rancid smell – Cooked rice that has gone rancid will have a sour, fermented odor.
If you notice any of these characteristics, the rice is no longer safe to eat and should be discarded.
Check the expiration date
Cooked brown rice will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Make sure to check the date when you initially cooked the rice. If it is past the 3-5 day window, it’s best to throw it out.
You can also freeze cooked rice for longer storage. In the freezer, brown rice will keep for 3 to 6 months.
Consider how it was stored
How you store cooked rice can impact how quickly it spoils:
- Room temperature – Rice left out at room temperature is more prone to bacterial growth. It should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking.
- Refrigerated – Storing rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator helps extend its shelf life. Make sure it hasn’t been in there beyond the recommended 3-5 days.
- Freezer – Frozen brown rice stored in airtight packaging can last 3-6 months.
Rice that has been kept at room temperature for too long is more likely to be spoiled.
Look for bacillus cereus contamination
Cooked rice can sometimes harbor a bacteria called bacillus cereus. This bacteria can survive cooking and produce toxins in the rice that cause food poisoning. Signs of bacillus cereus contamination include:
- A faint burnt plastic-like odor
- Rice that is slimy when stirred
- Liquid pooling around the rice
Discard rice immediately if you notice these signs of bacillus cereus bacteria.
Check the texture
The texture of the rice can indicate its freshness:
- Firm – Rice that still has a tender, moist texture is fine to eat.
- Mushy – If the rice is mushy with a paste-like consistency, it has likely gone bad.
- Dry and crunchy – Extended refrigeration can cause rice to dry out. This rice will need to be rehydrated before eating.
If the texture seems excessively soft or dry, it’s best to discard the rice.
Do a small taste test
If the rice doesn’t show outward signs of spoilage, doing a quick taste can help determine if it has gone bad:
- Take a small bite of the rice. Chew it thoroughly.
- Check for off tastes like sourness or rancidity.
- Monitor for off odors as you chew.
- Pay attention to the texture – if it feels overly mushy or slimy between the teeth, it may no longer be good.
- Spit out the bite and do NOT swallow if you detect spoilage.
Your senses will give you a good idea if the rice has developed any funky flavors, aromas or textures indicative of spoilage.
When in doubt, throw it out
If there is any uncertainty about the safety or quality of cooked rice, it’s best to just discard it. The potential risks of food poisoning or ingesting rancid rice outweigh the small amount that would be wasted.
Rice is an inexpensive food to cook. Saving those leftovers that seem even a little bit “off” is not worth risking your health.
Tips to extend the life of cooked rice
You can take some simple steps to help keep cooked rice fresher for longer:
- Store rice in the fridge immediately after cooking. Leaving at room temperature too long encourages bacterial growth.
- Place hot just-cooked rice in shallow containers before refrigerating so it cools quickly.
- Divide rice into small portions in airtight containers for refrigeration. This prevents spoilage from spreading.
- Add a little water to refrigerated rice if it seems dry. This rehydrates it.
- When reheating rice, make sure it reaches 165°F internally to kill any bacteria.
- Don’t let rice sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, including during meal times.
Following proper storage methods helps maintain the freshness of cooked rice.
Signs your cooked rice can still be eaten
Look for the following signs your leftover rice is still good to eat:
- It has been stored in the refrigerator no more than 3-5 days.
- No mold, sliminess, or rancid smell is present.
- It retains its characteristic light brown color.
- The texture is tender, not crunchy or mushy.
- It tastes like normal fresh rice when sampled.
As long as rice shows no obvious indications of spoilage, keeping it refrigerated for under 5 days should be safe.
Can you freeze rice to extend its shelf life?
Yes, freezing cooked rice can help it stay fresh and safe to eat for longer. Here’s how to do it:
- First, quickly cool freshly cooked rice before freezing to prevent excess moisture from forming ice crystals.
- Portion rice out in airtight containers or freezer bags. This prevents a whole batch from spoiling if any section goes bad.
- Press out excess air before sealing and label bags with the date and contents.
- Freeze rice immediately at 0°F or below.
- Once frozen, rice will keep for 3 to 6 months in the freezer.
When ready to eat frozen rice, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or microwave briefly. Discard any rice that smells bad or shows signs of freezer burn when thawed.
Can you reheat rice that has been in the fridge?
Previously refrigerated rice can be safely reheated and eaten if it has been stored properly up to 5 days. Follow these reheating guidelines:
- Inspect the rice first and discard any with an off odor, color or appearance.
- Place rice in a microwavable bowl with a splash of water to add moisture.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through.
- Bring refrigerated rice to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- Consume reheated rice within 1 hour to prevent pathogen growth.
- Do not reheat rice more than once.
Properly reheated rice that has been refrigerated correctly can be safely eaten if consumed promptly. Reheated rice should not be left out at room temperature.
Summary
- Check cooked rice within 3-5 days refrigeration and discard if it smells bad, looks slimy or shows signs of mold.
- Cooked rice should not be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Divide rice into smaller portions in shallow airtight containers for refrigeration.
- Add a little water to rice that seems very dry after refrigeration.
- Frozen rice can safely be eaten for 3-6 months if properly stored.
- When reheating rice, make sure it reaches 165°F and consume promptly within 1 hour.
- Err on the side of caution and throw away rice that seems at all questionable.
Following proper storage methods can help maximize the shelf life of cooked brown rice. But when in doubt, do not take risks and discard rice that shows any signs of potential spoilage.
