21 EASY LEFTOVER RICE IDEAS PERFECT FOR A QUICK MEAL

Have you grown weary of eating the same rice dish over and over? Or do you have leftover rice in a container you aren’t sure what to do with? Do not worry! You can pick from 17 quick and simple recipes using leftover rice that we’ve compiled.

When you serve one of these leftover rice recipes to your family, they’ll likely assume that you either got takeout or spent a lot of time in the kitchen. You’ll have a ton of alternatives, from breakfast to lunch to dinner to dessert, to stay creative!

WHAT TO DO WITH RICE LEFT OVER?

There are many options available if you’re bored with your go-to rice recipes and don’t want to waste your leftover rice. Reheat it and top it with sauce or a few vegetables! But if you’re searching for something a little more original, you can pick from any of the several choices listed below.

HOW LONG WILL LEFTOVER RICE STAY FROZEN?

With mouthwatering recipes like these, storing any leftover rice in the refrigerator will be challenging, but it’s crucial to remember that the 4–7 day rule still applies. Your rice will have a significantly longer shelf life if you store it properly. However, don’t solely rely on this basic principle; instead, use your sense of smell or the texture of the rice as additional cues.

BREAKFAST RECIPES

1. KOREAN BREAKFAST EGG FRIED RICE

A straightforward stir-fried dish that usually only contains eggs and rice. As a primary food, Korean households frequently eat rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! So even in the middle of the morning rush, you can prepare this meal.

2. LEFTOVER RICE PANCAKES

Rice leftover from the previous evening can be quickly transformed into a tasty breakfast delight. These leftover rice pancakes are a tasty variation from the usual morning fare and are simpler to make than regular pancakes.

3. BEEF AND RICE CASSEROLE

A traditional dish that uses essential ingredients and is easy to prepare. Ground beef, corn, broccoli, rice, and a generous amount of cheese are all ingredients in this beef and rice casserole. Every bite brings comfort and warmth!

4. BIBIMBAP

Bibim, which means “mixed,” and bap, which means “boiled rice,” are two well-known Korean dishes you must taste! It consists of a bowl of rice, seasoned raw meat, hot pepper paste, and sautéed and seasoned veggies.

5. BEAN AND RICE BURRITO

It’s time for bean and rice burritos! Everyone loves burritos. A tortilla filled with leftover rice, beans, and so much more! Simple to make and ideal for lunch on the go. You’ll be amazed to learn how easy it is to make, and it can be pretty healthful if you use the right ingredients.

INDIAN LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES

6. EASY RICE PILAF

With the help of this simple rice pilaf recipe, boost your rice game. It is easy to make and contains diced carrots, onions, and celery, all of which are fresh. Depending on your tastes, you can also add pine nuts and mushrooms.

7. LEFTOVER RICE VEGETABLE BIRYANI

Do you still have any basmati rice? Try this rice dish with meats and vegetables called vegetarian biryani! It would also be ideal for Shabbat because the longer it cooks at a low temperature, the nicer it gets!

8. EASY CURRY FRIED RICE

Easy Curry Fried Rice is a side dish that takes about 15 minutes to prepare. However, you can quickly turn this side dish into dinner with some baked chicken breasts and a salad. With this recipe, your family won’t be let down; the most significant part is that you won’t have to put much effort into dinner.

VEGETARIAN LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES (HEALTHY)

9. STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Happy vegetarians! These stuffed peppers are filled with a savory and nutritious mixture of rice, cheese, tomatoes, pinto beans, corn, and green chiles. They are ideal as a main meal or a side dish and will undoubtedly cheer up those gloomy or rainy days. Consider yellow, orange, red, and green.

10. TURKEY SOUP WITH RICE

This recipe is the ideal way to use any leftover rice and turkey! You can cook this soup in a few simple steps and finish up with a large pot of delectable homemade soup. Nothing helps you feel better faster than a hot bowl of soup!

11. BEAN AND RICE BURRITO WITH VEGETABLES

Use your leftover rice for this dish because burritos are good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These burritos are loaded with flavor, from beans and lime to spicy sauce and garlic, plus they are vegetarian.

Although black beans and refried beans are the most widely consumed beans, you can use any bean to make this dish. Refried beans offer some much-needed moisture, while black beans give the burrito more texture if you enjoy heat; spicy guacamole pairs well with this dish.

LEFTOVER RICE SIDE DISHES

12. CHICKEN FRIED RICE

This chicken fried rice will not let you down! Long rice, peas, carrots, and moist, succulent chicken are all cooked together in this dish. With this favorite Chinese rice, which can be transformed into so many different types of fried rice, you can make it distinctive and your own.

13. MEXICAN FRIED RICE

Combine the tastes of Mexican rice and the cooking method of Asian rice for your upcoming Taco Tuesday. The typical Mexican rice is cooked in a saucy sauce, but this Mexican fried rice recipe adds a beautiful twist. Additionally, it’s a terrific method to quickly prepare a side dish with leftover rice that has been precooked. Using a cold, cooked rice is essential for preparing excellent fried rice.

14. ARANCINI DI RISO: SICILIAN RICE BALLS

Deep-fried arancini are delectable and crunchy. A beef sauce, mozzarella cheese mixture, and crunchy breadcrumb topping make up the filling. They might rank among your all-time favorite meals!

15. PARMESAN RICE CAKE

These Parmesan rice cakes come together so quickly and have an excellent flavor. They are excellent for utilizing leftover rice and bread crumbs created from crackers and bread ends.

RICE PUDDING WITH LEFTOVER RICE

16. BAKED RICE PUDDING

This recipe for baked rice pudding uses cooked rice, cinnamon, and raisins to create a warm and tasty dessert. It’s a simple, vintage dish that uses ingredients you may already have in your kitchen! Perhaps you haven’t tried the appropriate recipe if you believe you don’t enjoy rice pudding.

17. CREAMY RICE PUDDING

Warm or cold, rich, creamy Rice Pudding is delicious and delicately flavored with just a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. It might be the ultimate comfort food dessert! The ripe golden raisins are delicious! Homemade rice pudding is incredibly simple to make and is a fantastic way to use up leftover rice.

OTHER POPULAR LEFTOVER RICE RECIPES

18. CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

The best comfort food is this hearty stew! You’ll undoubtedly like each bite! It is the best chicken and rice recipe and is simple to prepare with essential ingredients that you can change to suit your preferences.

19. FRIED RICE FRITTATA

Fried rice frittata is a quick, flavorful, and healthy vegetarian option. It may be prepared gluten-free. Use any veggie you like to get inventive here!

20. MUSHROOM RISOTTO

This mushroom risotto can be prepared in just 15 minutes! Nobody will suspect you cheated because it tastes as lovely as a risotto that took hours to prepare! What’s not to love about a dish loaded with cheese, carbohydrates, and mushrooms?

21. RICE PANCAKES

Rice pancakes made using leftovers are the first recipe on this list. Although this recipe may not produce the fluffy, light pancakes you’re accustomed to, the sweet, softly spiced flavor and oatmeal-like texture will likely win you over.

It tastes like eating an excellent rice pudding pancake if you add a little butter and let the edges crisp.

HOW LONG DOES COOKED RICE REMAIN FRESH IN THE REFRIGERATOR?

In the refrigerator, cooked rice can typically be kept for about four days before turning rancid. This period is proper for most rice varieties, including long, short, and medium grains.

It is advised to keep the remaining rice in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag to extend this time frame as much as possible. By doing this, you can protect the rice from airborne microorganisms. After cooking, any remaining rice should be sealed and kept in the refrigerator within two hours.

WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE OF COOKED RICE IN THE FREEZER?

In the freezer, leftover cooked rice stays far longer than in the refrigerator. In general, cooked rice will keep its quality for 4-6 months if kept in an airtight container or freezer bag.

It’s important to remember that food that has been properly prepared can be stored in the freezer for longer than six months, although the quality might not be as good.

HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE SPOILT COOKED RICE?

Reheating and cooling cooked rice frequently creates an ideal habitat for bacteria growth. Thus it is not a bright idea. Furthermore, if the cooked rice you have left over smells terrible, it can be ruined. This is the most unambiguous indication that your rice needs to be thrown away immediately.

If the grains of your cooked rice are harsh and dry, there’s another sign that it’s spoilt. Reheated leftover rice that has a crunchy feel or appears dry should not be eaten. If you have any worries about the smell or appearance of your rice, you must discard it because eating spoiled rice can frequently result in food poisoning.

CAN COLD RICE BE CONSUMED?

As long as you treat cold rice properly, it’s safe to eat. To lower the risk of food poisoning, try to cool the rice within an hour of cooking and keep it completely chilled at the proper temperature before eating.

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FAQs

What may I add to the white rice that is left over?

It is impossible to go wrong with any combination of cooked and cooled rice (it crisps up better), eggs, aromatics (such as onion, shallots, green onions, garlic, and ginger), and protein (pork, chicken, shrimp, tofu, anything!) The results will always be outstanding. Visit Delish for the recipe. Make the perfect lunch or snack out of leftover rice.

Reheating leftover rice is acceptable?

Before reheating, keep rice in the refrigerator for no longer than one day. Then, ensure the rice is thoroughly steaming hot whenever you reheat it. Rice shouldn’t be heated more than once.

How can I use rice that is four days old?

The optimal time to eat rice is a few days after it is prepared. After that, it’s best to trash it if there are more than that. Rice that has been cooked should be kept in an airtight container to extend its shelf life.

What can I add to rice to flavor it?

Using a cooking liquid other than water (bouillon or broth is a simple substitute) or stirring in some fresh herbs, dried fruit, peas, almonds, or other taste and color boosters is one of my favorite ways to flavor rice.

How can leftover rice be revitalized?

Using a rice cooker, microwave, stovetop, or oven to repurpose leftover rice is simple. Add a tablespoon of water per cup of rice, and cook for two minutes in the microwave, three to four minutes over low heat, fifteen to twenty minutes in the oven, or one hour in the rice cooker.