About Leftover Rice

According to the Food and Drug Administration, a bacterium common in rice makes it particularly important that, once cooked, the rice be consumed or refrigerated within two hours and used within three days.

Japanese cookbook author Elizabeth Andoh recommends freezing cooked rice for up to a month in resealable plastic food storage bags. To defrost the rice, place the opened bag on a microwave-safe plate; heat on high for 60 to 90 seconds or until the rice has thawed.