How Long Can Cooked Rice Stay in the Fridge?

Cooked rice: no more than 24 hours

Rice may contain spores of Bacillus cereus that survive cooking. Refrigerate cooked rice promptly, ideally cooling it within one hour, and keep it for no more than 24 hours before use. Reheat only once and ensure it is steaming hot throughout.

Do not rely on smell

Rice held warm or at room temperature for too long may become unsafe even if it looks normal. Reheating is not a reliable fix for incorrect storage.

Regional reference: These pages use UK food-safety authorities, not US storage figures. Guidance assumes appropriate temperature and handling; it cannot confirm that a particular food is safe. Follow any product use-by date and manufacturer storage instructions.

Sources: Food Standards Scotland: Cooked rice ↗ · FSA September 2026 guidance ↗