Can You Reheat Rice?
Reviewed against FSA/NHS reheating guidance · Updated September 2026
Nutritional data sourced from USDA FoodData Central and Public Health England. Always consult a registered dietitian for personal dietary advice.
Yes, you can reheat rice — but the storage rules matter more than the reheating: cool within 1 hour, fridge for no more than 24 hours, reheat once until piping hot.
What makes it safe (or not)
Uncooked rice can contain spores of Bacillus cereus bacteria. The spores survive cooking, and if cooked rice sits at room temperature they can germinate and produce toxins that are heat-resistant — reheating will not destroy them. That's why the danger with rice isn't the reheating itself, but how it was cooled and stored beforehand. Rice handled correctly from the moment it's cooked is safe to reheat.
You can also check the calorie content of rice alongside its safety information.
How to reheat rice safely
- Cool rice within 1 hour of cooking — spread it on a tray to speed this up.
- Refrigerate in a sealed container and eat within 24 hours (UK FSA guidance).
- Reheat straight from the fridge with a splash of water, stirring halfway.
- Check it is piping hot all the way through — 75°C (165°F).
- Eat immediately and never reheat it a second time.
💡 Pro tip: a digital probe thermometer settles "is it hot enough?" in three seconds — 75°C in the middle means done.
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Reheat with confidence
Digital food thermometer
Steaming hot means 75°C in the middle — a probe tells you in seconds.
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Traps steam so food heats evenly — the main cause of cold spots is dry heating.
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Shallow, microwave-safe portions cool faster and reheat more evenly.
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Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status.
More kitchen essentials
Oven thermometer
Oven temperatures drift — a thermometer keeps cooking accurate.
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Common questions
Can you reheat rice twice?
No — never. Rice should be reheated once at most. Each pass through the temperature danger zone raises the Bacillus cereus risk, and its toxins can't be destroyed by heat.
Why does rice cause food poisoning?
Rice can carry Bacillus cereus spores that survive cooking. Left at room temperature, the spores grow and produce heat-stable toxins. 'Fried rice syndrome' — vomiting within hours of eating — is the classic result of rice left out too long.
Can you reheat takeaway rice?
Yes, if it went into your fridge within an hour of arriving and you eat it within 24 hours of it being cooked. If it sat out all evening, throw it away.
Is it safe to eat rice cold?
Yes — rice that was cooled quickly and refrigerated can be eaten cold (in a rice salad, for example) within 24 hours. Rice that has been left at room temperature should not be eaten hot or cold.
Related answers
Primary source: FSA/NHS reheating guidance.
The information on 247foodcheck.com is compiled from official public guidance (NHS, Food Standards Agency, USDA/FDA FoodKeeper) and is provided for general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace guidance from your midwife, GP, health visitor or other qualified professional. When in doubt, throw it out — and if you feel unwell after eating something, contact NHS 111 or your doctor.