Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Brown Rice?
Yes, you can freeze brown rice. Cooked brown rice can last in the freezer for a couple of months, while uncooked grains can last for up to 2 years. The key is to store them in freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags.
Here is the most comprehensive guide on how to freeze and store brown rice for the long term.
I have found these methods to work like a charm.
Let’s dive right into it.
How to Freeze Brown Rice?
To keep the brown rice lasting for over a year or two, it is best to freeze them without cooking them.
Materials
- Brown Rice
Tools
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
Instructions
Keep it Dry: Before you get to freezing the brown rice, make sure that the rice grains and the container or bag are completely dry and free of moisture.
Pack and Seal: Transfer the brown rice into the freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them in. Make sure to squeeze out all the excess air when sealing the Ziploc bag.
Label and Freeze: Before you freeze it for the long term, add a label on the bag with the best before date.
Freezing Cooked Brown Rice
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What you will need:
- Brown Rice
- Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Container or Ziploc Bag
To get some meal prep out of the way and to store small portions of brown rice, this is the best method to opt for.
Cook and Cool
Cook the brown rice and then let it cool down to room temperature before you get to work with it.
Portion It
Divide the rice into portions that you can easily manage to use up in one mealtime.
Pack and Seal
Transfer the portioned brown rice into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them in. When using a Ziploc bag, make sure to squeeze out as much excess air from it as you can.
Label and Freeze
Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the brown rice.
When freezing in Ziploc bags, lay them down flat so that you can stack them on top of each other and save precious freezer space.
Check out this video guide by “Clean and Delicious” on YouTube to see how it is done –
How Long Can You Freeze Brown Rice?
You can freeze uncooked brown for up to 2 years in the freezer. Whereas cooked brown rice can stay fresh in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Uncooked brown rice fares much better in the freezer than in the pantry because of its coating, which can go rancid when left out.
The key to keeping the brown rice lasting long is to make sure that it is not exposed to air or freezer burns. In the case of the cooked rice, it would be best to use it up sooner rather than later for the best flavor and quality.
How to Store Frozen Brown Rice?
You can store frozen brown rice in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bags. You could also store the cooked rice wrapped in cling foil, as long as it is not exposed to air.
When storing uncooked rice, there must be no trace of moisture in the packaging.
If you are freezing a big batch of brown rice, you might want to opt for the Ziploc bags, to help save freezer space.
Once you fill and seal the bags, lay them down flat on a baking sheet till the rice freezes. Then stack the bag on top of each other to freeze the brown rice compactly.
How to Defrost Brown Rice?
You can quickly thaw the brown rice by heating it in the microwave. You needn’t thaw it unless you plan to use them for a recipe that specifies so.
In which case, you can thaw them over a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge.
When microwaving the rice, it would be best not to heat it in the Ziploc or plastic packaging. It is best to transfer the rice into a microwave-safe bowl or plate before heating it.
Can You Refreeze Brown Rice?
No, it is best advised not to refreeze brown rice once it thaws. Although you can refreeze it once, it is conditional, and care needs to be taken to ensure that the rice doesn’t spoil.
There are high chances of bacterial build-up once the rice thaws and is left out. So, it is best to consume it immediately.
To avoid having to refreeze or waste the brown rice once it thaws, you can portion it beforehand into small and easy-to-manage portions that you can consume in one go.
Does Brown Rice Freeze Well?
Yes, brown rice freezes well, and in fact, is one of the best ways to extend its shelf life.
However, cooked brown rice has a smaller freezer life than most other rice, but it still gives a couple of months to work with.
Frozen brown rice has minimal changes in texture and is a great way to do some meal prep and add some healthy carbs into your diet.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze brown rice puree, and it is a great baby food option. Once you prepare it, cool it down and portion it before storing and freezing it in freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags. It can last in the freezer for a couple of weeks.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you freeze and store brown rice for the long term, whether cooked or uncooked.
If you have any doubts or would like to share some freezing tips of your own, it would be great to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your rice-loving family and friends.