Can you Freeze Uncooked Rice?

A very healthy and delicious meal that we all enjoy to eat is rice. Actually, what would we do without it because many cuisines from all over the world depend on it one way or another- from sushi to rice puddings and there are many more recipes that include rice as one of the main ingredients.

It’s cheap, easy to cook, and rice is a staple in almost every kitchen and household. Furthermore, for most people rice is really important as part of their diet and their meal is not complete without it. However, what if you bought more than you needed, how can you store it other than in your pantry and can you actually freeze uncooked rice so it will last longer?

Can you Freeze Uncooked Rice? Yes! Uncooked rice is freezer-friendly and can last an indefinite amount of time and what is more important to know is that when thawed there is no harm to the texture.

Go through the article as I’ll share with you some tips on how to store uncooked rice, put it in the freezer, and then defrost it to use whenever you feel like cooking this side dish.

Your guide on storing rice before you put it in the freezer:

Believe it or not, you can freeze uncooked rice. There are many types of rice which are essential to your cooking.

Brown, white, wild, basmati, jasmine, and any other type of rice are delicious in many ways. This is the perfect carbohydrate that has a unique texture and flavor, also it can boost your energy.

Studies have proven that this is a wise inclusion in meals and they indicate that rice can help the reduction of cardiovascular disease. Actually, if you freeze rice you can prevent it from many problems that may occur like: bugs, moth problems, dust, or hydration in humid places.

However, another problem that may occur with rice is that it can come with bug eggs already in it so make sure to clean it or just put it straight in the freezer as it’ll prevent the eggs from getting hatched.

Continue reading as you’ll find some useful tips on how to properly store uncooked rice and freeze it so it can last longer:

• The first thing that you’ll need is a proper rice container. Actually, the best way is to pack each serving in a box or a rigid plastic container. The reason why you’ll need it is that once the rice is out of the bag it is exposed to the air which decreases the freshness day by day. Put the uncooked grains in a round, airtight rice container and make sure that the uncooked rice is free from moisture before packing.
• Also, if the fresh rice is still in its original box, you can put the rice straight into the freezer without taking it out of its original packing.
• Always make sure when storing in freezer bags to remove excess air before freezing. This way you’ll avoid freezer burn.
• However, keep your rice stored in your pantry for a maximum of 2 weeks. This is because the humidity in the room can make the rice go bad. If you want to put it in the freezer do it faster as it can last longer and keep its freshness.

The average amount of time to keep uncooked rice:

Actually, if you think this way, rice is meant to be kept indefinitely. Uncooked rice like wild, arborio, jasmine and basmati rice have an indefinite shelf life (only if you keep them properly), as the same goes if you put and store them in the fridge or the freezer.

Well, the healthiness of rice varies and that’s why I would like to share with you the amount of time and lifespan of rice when it’s kept at room temperature, in the fridge and freezer. Rice is also a durable food and manufacturers put an expiration date on the box.

However,  rice can be safe to eat even beyond that date that is put on the box. Freezing is always an option as it can help you with the problem as well as it will keep the freshness and longevity of the rice.

This way I’ll show you that when you keep rice in the freezer it can last longer and this is the best way to store a larger amount of rice so it can keep its freshness.

However, another important thing to keep in mind that brown rice is different from the other types of rice and has a different amount of time to be kept.

Well, brown rice is the whole rice grain and its nutrients, proteins, and oils are all there, unlike white rice.

Unfortunately, those nutrients are more delicate and break down more quickly. Brown rice will not last as long as the others even with the best conditions.

That’s why brown rice should be kept for a shorter amount of time.  Look at the table and keep in mind the numbers when storing your rice and choose the best option:

Defrosting uncooked rice:

After you have already frozen your packs of rice and now you want to use a pack, defrosting rice is really easy and convenient. As I previously mentioned when you take the rice out of the freezer, it will have the same texture and nutrients as before it was frozen.

Food experts actually recommend that when you put it out of the freezer in fact you don’t need the fridge to help you in the process.

There are two types that can be very helpful and useful: simply remove the amount that you need and use a pan or microwave in the process of thawing.

Firstly if you use the microwave,  all you need to do is transfer the amount of rice that you need for cooking into a bowl and add a tablespoon of water over it.

Then you should cover the bowl and put the rice in the microwave for a minute or two until it’s warmed through the texture so you can cook it easily.

Secondly, If you are using the stove, you should empty your frozen rice contents into a pan over low heat.

Defrost the rice on the heat until it is warmed up enough for cooking. Another thing to remember during this process is that you should stir the rice a couple of times when you are heating it so it won’t get any clumping.

Related questions:

Read through the FAQ as they could be helpful for you to get your answers and make up some dilemmas:

Does uncooked and stored rice go bad?

Unfortunately, it does. You can tell by its development of an odor, the flavor or appearance. Also, the bugs are always a problem and if your pack is filled with insects throw it right away.

How to tell when uncooked brown rice has expired?

Brown rice can get spoiled and you can tell by the signs of mold or odd discoloration, as well as an odd rancid smell. If you notice anything like this throw it right away.

Can you freeze uncooked rice before storing it?

Yes of course. You should leave the rice in the freezer for at least 48 hours. This can help you neutralize the possible eggs in the rice bag.