Can You Freeze Fried Rice? Here’s How to Do This Right
Updated on March 2, 2023
There are some dishes you just can’t say no to, like fried rice. It’s delicious if made right and we just love having it every now and then. But can you make a bunch of it and store it in the freezer? Let’s see!
There are so many fried rice recipes out there that we can’t even begin to guess which one’s your favorite. However, if it’s worth the effort of looking into how you can freeze it, we’re sure it’s delicious.
Can You Freeze Fried Rice?
We received a message from one of our readers regarding whether or not it’s possible to freeze fried rice. For obvious reasons, we jumped at the chance to offer a helping hand. Here’s their message:
A good friend of mine makes the best fried rice I have ever tasted. She would often invite me over to have some, but she recently moved about an hour away and I don’t see her as often anymore.
She offered to make a big batch of fried rice for me to take home the next time I see her, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to finish it all in one go. How can I store the fried rice so that I can enjoy it for the next month or so without it going bad?
She swears that I can freeze it, but I’m not sure whether that would change the quality of the fried rice. Can you freeze fried rice?
Why not? You can freeze other types of prepared rice, so why not fried? The key is to freeze the rice before adding any extra condiments that may get absorbed by the rice during the freezing process, causing it to bloat and become soggy. With a bit of care, your frozen fried rice can be enjoyed for months to come!
How to Freeze Fried Rice?
Let’s get started with putting that extra fried rice to good use.
- To freeze fried rice, begin with rice that has been freshly prepared.
- Allow the rice to cool completely before freezing, but avoid allowing it to sit at room temperature for an extended period of time.
- Also be careful not to squish the rice, as this will cause the rice to stick together and turn into a mushy mess upon being thawed.
- You can use freezer bags to freeze fried rice, but I prefer hard-sided freezer-safe containers because they better protect the rice from being squashed in the freezer.
- Simply scoop the desired amount of fried rice into each container, and then seal the containers completely.
- If you are not going to fill each container to the top, consider placing a layer of plastic wrap over the rice before sealing to help prevent freezer burn.
- Label and date the containers, and place in the freezer.
How to Keep Fried Rice for Longer?
One of the ways you can ensure that your fried rice will last a long time in the freezer is to use a vacuum sealer. These appliances can take out the air in the freezer bags or containers and seal them all perfectly. This means that no air will go into the bag and thus, your fried rice will not go mush and will not have an altered taste.
We have a whole list of vacuum sealers you can try out, but we love the FoodSaver V4840 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine most as it works with both freezer bags and containers, so you can save individual servings and large dishes.
How to Thaw Fried Rice?
When it’s time to have your fried rice again, you need to think ahead.
- To use frozen fried rice, remove it from the freezer and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to thaw.
- If you want to use the rice immediately, it can be microwaved in a microwave-safe container or reheated in a pan on the stove.
- You can then add any additional condiments or seasonings to the rice.
- Thawed fried rice should be consumed within three days of being thawed for best results.
- Store unused portions in the fridge.
- Do not refreeze previously frozen fried rice.