Knowing what to cook for dinner each night is a task many of us dread, especially if you’re stuck for inspiration. While preparing meals ahead of time might feel like a chore, you’ll probably thank yourself when it reaches the middle of the week and know you can whip something up in minutes.
Paired perfectly with a curry, or a tasty stir fry, having rice in the fridge can make mealtimes feel like a lot less fuss, but it’s important to know how to store it. Many people wrongly believe you can get food poisoning from eating reheated rice, but the danger comes from storing it incorrectly. Knowing how to store cooked rice requires a few simple steps, and means you can use it for days afterwards for quick and tasty meals.
Rice can contain Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that often causes food poisoning, which is why it’s even more important that rice is stored safely and correctly.
If left out at room temperature after cooking, the spores can germinate and grow, leading to a potential risk of food poisoning. Instead, leftover rice should be left to cool after cooking and then placed immediately in the fridge.
Bacillus cereus is heat-resistant, so cooking rice doesn’t necessarily kill it. However, leaving warm rice out for hours afterwards creates a perfect breeding ground for the spores to multiply and grow into bacteria.
In an article for Homes & Gardens, chef and Culinary Insights Senior Manager Mars Food & Nutrition, Janet Armstrong said: “It’s vital to allow your cooked rice to cool down before storing it away to prevent condensation, overheating in your fridge, and the development of bacteria.”
To do this, Janet advised leaving cooked rice to cool slightly before placing it in the fridge in an open container for 15 to 20 minutes. Ideally, it should be cooled and refrigerated within an hour.
“After this time has passed, your rice will be thoroughly cooled down, ready for storing,” she said, and warned readers not to let rice fully cool at room temperature before placing it in the fridge.
Placing rice flat in an airtight container will help ensure it cools evenly, but you could also try using a baking sheet. If you use plastic containers, you can leave the lid off while you let it cool before popping it in the fridge.
Once cooled, store your rice in the fridge, where it will last for up to three to four days. Make sure to sufficiently reheat it when you’re ready to eat it.
While heating it in the microwave is an easier way to prepare it, you can also reheat rice on the hob. Add a splash of water and cover it with a lid before placing it on a low heat until fully heated through.