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Answer
Great question! The answer is, yes, you can easily freeze rice. Freezing rice in portions is one of the best meal hacks. And in my opinion, does not affect the consistency when thawed. It works great if you have some left over rice after a meal or even if you are meal planning for the week. I frequently froze rice for my work lunches when I was trekking to the office and it was ready for a quick heat up in the microwave by the time lunch came around.
Packaging Rice for Freezing
Rice can be divided into single-serving or meal-sized portions for easier thawing. Use measuring cups or kitchen scales for consistency or if counting macros.
There are 3 types of packaging I use when aiming to add rice to the freezer: plastic wrap, freezer safe plastic bags, silicone freezer molds or glass containers.
- Plastic wrap is great for smaller portions
- Freezer safe bags save space because you can store the rice flat
- Silicone freezer trays for food storage (my favorite method is to use the 1 cup silicone trays). Freeze, pop out the cubes and store in a bag or container. Grab a cube of rice when needed for reheating.
- Glass containers are an eco-friendly choice and can go straight in the microwave for reheating
Label with the date so you can ensure you are using the frozen rice within 1-2 months for best quality, though it can last long. Truth be told, rice in my freezer never stays there for very long so I am lazy on this step. Or I can identify if a food has been frozen too long by the ice crystals that form and then will put it in the compost bin.
How to Reheat Frozen Rice
The easiest method is to reheat it in the microwave. If you prefer, you can also reheat it on the stovetop.
When I reheat in the microwave, my lazy self will add the rice to a microwave-safe bowl and heat it up for 30 seconds to 1 minute intervals or until hot. It comes out perfect in my opinion. If your rice tends to be on the dryer side, you can top the bowl with a damp paper towel when heating. Fluff rice up when done heating.
With the stove-top method, add a small amount of water to a pan and heat rice over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the rice is hot and fully reheated, fluff up and serve.
Tips for Best Results
- Avoid freezing rice with sauces or seasonings to maintain flexibility in meal prep.
- Store rice in portion sizes that match your needs to prevent waste.
- Label and rotate your frozen rice supply for optimal freshness.
