26 Simple To Make Leftover Rice Recipes

Do you find that when you cook rice you always end up with a lot of leftovers? Well if you do, then you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve put together a list of 27 simple leftover rice recipes that will make your leftover meal nights so much better. So let’s dive straight into the list!

1. Rice Pancakes

Kicking off the list, we have rice pancakes. These are a great dish to make and pretty popular when it comes to leftover rice.

They aren’t exactly the pancakes that you’re used to, but they are incredibly sweet and delicious.

They also have a very light-spiced flavor to them which makes them really unique and fun as a leftover meal.

2. Tuna Rice Salad

This is a recipe for all the tuna lovers out there.

Rice works really well as a salad, and it’s incredibly filling, so you won’t be unsatisfied when you finish this meal.

As well as being delicious, this recipe is also really healthy, so you can enjoy it guilt free!

You can keep this dish for two to three days refrigerated, so you won’t have to worry about working out your meal plan for a few days.

3. Chicken And Rice Soup

If you’re after something warm and hearty on a colder night, then this chicken and rice soup recipe is a perfect way to use up your leftover rice.

The chicken soaks into the broth and then rice absorbs all the flavors, making this meal incredibly delicious and jam-packed with flavor.

4. Taco Rice

If you love tacos but you want something that is quite quick and easy to make, then you definitely need to try this taco rice.

It tastes exactly like tacos, but it is so much easier to make.

It is so quick to make, that you will only have to spend 15 minutes on it before you can enjoy the flavors.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s vegan, so if you’re planning on making a big batch of it, you don’t have to worry about everyone’s dietary needs.

5. Turmeric Rice Salad

Another salad option, this turmeric rice salad is absolutely gorgeous. It is very similar to Mediterranean dishes.

Because it is filled with lots of different vegetables, it is a really healthy option that also tastes amazing.

The addition of turmeric in this rice salad really brings out the flavor further and will make you want to use this recipe again and again.

6. Hibachi Fried Rice

This hibachi fried rice is absolutely delicious and really easy to make.

If you have sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and frozen peas in your kitchen, then you have everything you need to make this rice.

This fried rice is so delicious in fact that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy it!

You can serve it as just the rice or you can include some chicken breast to enhance the overall meal.

7. Rice Pudding

Who doesn’t love a good rice pudding? Well, this leftover rice variation is just as good as it would be with freshly cooked rice.

You only need three ingredients to make this classic dessert, and it is super easy to make as well.

This rice pudding is extra creamy, thanks to the inclusion of the evaporated milk, but if you want to use regular milk instead, you definitely can.

Rice pudding is super diverse as well because you can add almost anything to it to enhance the flavor.

Some popular choices for toppings include jams of all kinds, or cinnamon.

8. Broccoli, Cheddar, And Wild Rice Fritters

If you’re looking for a dish that is a bit different but still delicious, then this broccoli, cheddar, and wild rice fritter recipe is for you!

These fritters are absolutely delicious and absolutely filled with beautiful flavor.

They take next to no time to make as well and you only need 5 ingredients to get going.

9. Cheesy Zucchini Casserole With Rice

The best thing about this cheesy zucchini casserole is that besides being absolutely gorgeous in taste, it is also really healthy.

You can enjoy this recipe completely guilt-free and you don’t have to worry about how good it is for you.

One of the ingredients in this casserole that really makes it pop is the greek yogurt.

It really makes the casserole have a creamy texture and it’s incredibly filling.

10. Paella Salad

Paella is another popular and classic rice dish, and this salad variation is an absolute must-try!

This particular recipe is incredibly healthy and contains lots of different ingredients that really blend well together to create a delicious dish.

If you want to add extra flavor to this paella salad, you can use steamed mussels. You can also have this dish as a side salad or as a main course.

11. Rice Frittata

These rice frittatas are absolutely rich in protein and are perfect for breakfast. They will give you all the energy you need to start your day.

Frittatas are usually filled with potato, but this recipe replaces that with rice and the results are fantastic.

This is a really delicious dish that you will find yourself making again and again.

12. Leftover Rissoto Cakes

This is one of the most simple recipes to make on this list.

They only take 10 minutes to prep and cook all together and they taste absolutely amazing!

These leftover risotto cakes only require 5 ingredients as well and they all blend perfectly together to give you an absolutely fantastic taste.

13. Shrimp Fried Rice

If you’re a fan of shrimp, then this is a recipe that you need in your life.

It’s a really simple recipe and doesn’t go over the top with its ingredients choice, which really lets you enjoy the flavor of the shrimp.

The other main ingredients include garlic and ginger, which really combine well with the shrimp and the rice.

14. Crispy Cutlets

These crispy cutlets are absolutely to die for.

They mix rice with potato and they are the perfect comfort food that is sure to fill you up and leave you satisfied.

You only need 7 ingredients to get going with this dish and it’s incredibly simple to make, so you’ll be enjoying the beautiful taste of these crispy cutlets in absolutely no time at all.

These crispy cutlets have a bit of a kick to them, so if you enjoy spicy food, you definitely want to try these.

15. Rice Pakora

This dish is very much like an Indian version of fritters and they are absolutely packed with warm spices that are sure to leave you wanting more.

To really enjoy this dish, you’ll want to make a dipping sauce to go with them.

You may also want to incorporate a small salad on the side to really compliment the main dish.

16. Spanish Rice Soup

Another soup that is worth your time is this Spanish rice soup. It’s really easy to make and absolutely packed with beautiful flavors.

This recipe usually uses chicken broth, but you can swap it out for a vegetable broth if you would rather have a vegan soup.

You can top this Spanish rice soup with lots of things. Some of the most popular toppings include grated cheese, diced green onions, and sour cream.

17. Vegetarian Bean And Rice Burrito

Burrito lovers rejoice! Here’s a recipe that is catered just for you!

This recipe takes all the beautiful flavors of the classic bean and rice burrito and packs it into a leftover rice dish that is absolutely tasty and moreish.

It’s completely vegetarian as well, so if you don’t eat meat, there’s no reason why you should miss out on this recipe.

If you are a meat eater though, you can add your favorite meat to this dish if you desire. One of the most popular meat choices for this dish is bacon!

18. Fried Chicken And Rice Waffles

The waffles in this recipe are made with leftover rice and topped with succulent pieces of fried chicken.

This recipe is absolutely delicious and works really well as a filling lunch.

The waffles pair absolutely beautifully with the fried chicken and this is one of those dishes that you can make multiple times and change it up slightly with each iteration.

19. Hot Dog Fried Rice

Hot dogs may not be the first thing you’d think to pair with rice, but you’d be surprised at how well they work together.

If you’re a vegetarian or you don’t eat meat as part of your diet, you can substitute them out for tofu, which works just as well in this dish.

The way all of the ingredients blend together in this dish makes it a fantastic comfort food that tastes great and will leave you feeling satisfied once you have finished eating.

20. Vegan And Gluten-Free Lentil Loaf

If you’re after something gluten-free, then this lentil loaf is perfect for you.

On top of being devoid of gluten, it is also 100% vegan, so it will cater perfectly to your dietary needs.

It’s quite a healthy dish that also tastes fantastic. This dish is incredibly filling and perfect if you have a lot of mouths to feed.

The lentils themselves are filled with fiber that only adds to the overall healthiness of the dish.

21. Rice Balls

These rice balls are incredibly fun and colorful and they work great as party food or side dishes.

They come in three different variations: mushroom and vegetable rice, egg and pickled radish, and ham and spinach.

There’s something for everyone with each of these variations and they are incredibly tasty.

You can even add spice to these rice balls if you prefer your food to have a bit of a kick.

22. Mushroom Broccoli Quiche

The batter in this quiche recipe is made of tofu, and it is absolutely filled to the brim with vegetables, so this is a perfect recipe to make with your leftover rice if you have a meat-free diet (see also ‘28 Easy Meat-Free Recipes‘).

You can change up the fillings however you like as well, so you can really make this dish suit your personal taste.

Its standard recipe is incredible though, super delicious and super filling. You won’t be disappointed with this quiche.

23. Leftover Rice Dosa

This rice dosa recipe is incredibly easy to make and it tastes absolutely lovely.

If you’ve never had a dosa before, it is an Indian dish that looks a lot like a crepe.

This recipe works really well as a side dish and one of the most popular accompaniments to have with it is mango chutney.

It works well both as a sweet and savory side dish and it will not disappoint in its texture and flavor.

24. Korean Rice Bowl

Also known as Bibimbap, these Korean rice bowls (see also ‘28 Rice Bowl Recipes To Liven Up Your Diet‘) are absolutely jam-packed with intense and beautiful flavor.

This recipe might come across as super complex when you first look at it, but it is actually incredibly straightforward to make and will only take you about an hour to have it ready.

And it’s totally worth it!

25. Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers (see also ‘Can You Freeze Stuffed Peppers?‘) are such a good meal choice because they are a lot healthier than most other choices and you can stuff the peppers with practically anything.

This recipe will have you stuff your peppers with your leftover rice, and the results are absolutely exquisite!

Along with the rice, this recipe will also have you using ground beef, which really brings out even more flavor in the dish.

26. Breakfast Fried Rice

And finally, we have this beautiful breakfast fried rice.

It is basically exactly the same as normal fried rice, but it’s filled with all your traditional breakfast ingredients, such as bacon, ham, egg, or all three!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rice Still Good To Eat If It’s Been Left Out For 24 Hours? 

The short answer is no, it’s not. Rice needs to be refrigerated within two hours of cooking, otherwise, bacteria will make it bad.

If your rice has been left out any longer than 2 hours, throw it away immediately.

How Long Is Leftover Rice Good For?

You can usually get away with eating leftover rice for another two to three days after it’s been made.

It is important, however, that when you reheat it, you make sure it is piping hot, or you can become ill. You should also only store it in your refrigerator.

How Can You Tell If Rice Is Spoiled Or Expired?

There are a few ways you can tell if rice is spoiled or expired. One of the biggest tell-tale signs is a “funny” smell.

Another is that the rice has turned slimy. If you see any discolorations in the rice or you find any mold on it, this is the biggest sign that the rice is off.

In any situation, if you are concerned your leftover rice is spoiled or expired, get rid of it.

Can You Freeze Rice?

Yes, you can freeze rice, but you can only freeze it for a month after it has been cooked.

During its applicable freezing time, it will retain its taste and moisture. Once a month has passed, it will no longer be good to consume.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of fun and tasty options you can go for when you are looking for a way to enjoy your leftover rice.

All of these options are super simple and easy to make and they are absolutely delicious too, so you can be sure that each of these recipes are worth the effort to make.

Try some of these recipes out for yourself and see which ones you enjoy the most!