Can You Freeze Uncooked Rice?

For most people, rice is life and a meal isn’t complete without it. In the US, long grain white rice and brown rice are the two most popular types of rice consumed by millions of Americans.

Rice is abundant in most regions and thankfully, this grain is so easy to store cooked or uncooked! You can freeze uncooked rice in its own packaging or packed in a freezer-safe container.

Cooked rice
Image used under Creative Commons from Ruocaled

Because uncooked rice is freezer-friendly, the texture won’t be altered once the thawed rice has been cooked. When kept in the freezer, uncooked rice will keep for up to 18 months. However, the USA Rice Federation recommends consuming frozen rice within six months for best results.

How to Freeze Uncooked Rice?

The best way to freeze uncooked rice is to pack each serving in a box or a rigid plastic container. You want to make sure the uncooked rice is free from moisture before packing.

To begin, pour the rice into a freezer-safe container and seal tightly. If the fresh rice is still in its original box, you can chuck the rice straight into the freezer in its original packaging.

Bowl of cooked rice
Image used under Creative Commons from stu_spivack

After packing the rice, get a marker and label the packaging with the date. Place the container flatly in the freezer so it’ll thaw much quickly.

How to Defrost Frozen Uncooked Rice?

The best way to defrost frozen uncooked rice is to transfer the container from the freezer to the fridge and letting the grain thaw for several hours. You can also put the container under running water to defrost but make sure the lid is airtight and secure.

Finally, you can also leave the rice to thaw at room temperature, just place the container on the table and leave it to defrost for a few hours.

Summary

Rice is easy to store and even easier to cook. Now that you know how to store fresh rice properly, you can keep a large batch of this grain and enjoy it for future dishes!