If the social media rumors are true, your leftover rice could also be attempting to kill you. Specialists on the matter, nonetheless, inform a considerably completely different story.

It’s true that cooked rice left at room temperature too lengthy can turn into a cheerful residence to intruders, notably Bacillus cereus, a standard sort of micro organism that lives in soil and, due to this fact, in a lot of the meals we eat. “B. cereus likes to develop within the heat and moist atmosphere offered by cooked rice,” mentioned Si Ming Man, a professor within the division of immunology and infectious ailments on the Australian Nationwide College.

What has made B. cereus extra TikTok-famous than different food-borne bugs is that its spores are hardy sufficient to outlive the cooking course of, after which — when meals isn’t stored cool within the fridge — can develop and produce toxins that even vigorous reheating received’t destroy, Dr. Man mentioned. And sure, whereas the sickness is usually known as “reheated rice syndrome,” since leftover rice is a standard pathway, different meals (steak, pasta salad, milkshakes) have prompted B. cereus outbreaks. (The case that not too long ago went viral on TikTok was brought on by spaghetti left at room temperature for 5 days in 2008 — undoubtedly don’t do this.)

So what in regards to the numerous batches of leftovers you’ve zapped (and even eaten chilly) through the years, with out a journey to the hospital? Martin Wiedmann, a meals security professor at Cornell College, mentioned the explanation we hear comparatively little about these instances was as a result of “the illness is often very delicate, not like different food-borne ailments.” Signs present up in one among two disagreeable methods — primarily vomiting or diarrhea — however each normally resolve on their very own inside 24 hours.

“The sickness is prone to be over by the point you might be impressed to do one thing about it,” mentioned Linda J. Harris, a professor on the College of California, Davis, who researches microbial meals security. “The exception,” she added, “is for these individuals who may need weakened immune methods” — kids youthful than 5, adults 65 and older, and pregnant and different immunocompromised individuals. However specialists agree that even wholesome individuals have good cause to comply with the easy, commonsense tips beneath.

How lengthy does rice final within the fridge?

The U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers provides us 4 to 6 days to eat cooked rice (and as much as 4 days for many different leftovers), as long as it’s been saved in a fridge that’s 40 levels Fahrenheit or cooler, and by no means not noted for greater than two hours (or at most one hour on significantly scorching days). Some specialists go together with a extra conservative four-day most and suggest reheating not more than as soon as, since extra journeys out of the fridge imply extra time spent within the hazard zone.

Are you able to freeze rice?

Within the freezer, cooked rice will maintain for as much as six months, per the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Providers, however limiting its keep to underneath two months will assist maintain it more energizing. Andrea Nguyen, who wrote “Ever-Inexperienced Vietnamese,” recommends freezing rice in any hermetic container you’d use to refrigerate it. “I don’t maintain rice frozen for lengthy so there’s no must get fussy and sophisticated,” she mentioned. Thaw it within the fridge, then reheat it as above, or toss it instantly into simmering soups and stews.

For evenly cooked grains with out the possibility of scorching a pot, Priya Krishna, who reported on this very topic in The Instances final yr, recommends steaming rice within the microwave: Rinse the rice nicely and add it to a big microwave-safe bowl, together with twice the quantity of water. Microwave it uncovered for 15 to 25 minutes, relying on the power of your microwave (discovering your actual timing could take slightly trial and error). Because the rice plumps and water simmers away, the microwave captures the steam, very similar to a lidded pot. (Professional tip: There may be additionally no higher time to wipe down the within of your microwave.)

How do you reheat rice?

To heat up chilly rice and get better a lot of its fluffy texture, Michael W. Twitty, writer of “Rice: A Savor the South Cookbook,” likes to warmth it in a skillet with slightly liquid and oil, or one other fats “till it’s spongy and steamy once more.” Ms. Nguyen takes the same method, or simply makes use of the microwave, sprinkling on a little bit of water, then loosely overlaying and utilizing excessive energy. Each strategies restore much-needed moisture to grains that are inclined to dry out considerably within the fridge.

Extra methods to make good on leftover rice in loads of time: kimchi fried rice, chile-spiked butternut congee, sheet-pan bibimbap, crispy rice desserts and extra.

How can I put leftover rice to make use of?

The cookbook writer Julie Sahni’s go-to breakfast is fried eggs nestled in zucchini or spinach stir-fried with leftover rice, cumin, garlic, chiles and cilantro, typically topped with roasted seaweed flakes or crushed potato chips.

To his fried rice, Mr. Twitty provides bits of pastrami or kosher surimi — for instance, imitation shrimp or crab, as in California rolls and sushi bakes — within the method of Carolina crab fried rice.

Lately, Ms. Nguyen packs her fried rice with greens: “Like a 1:1 ratio,” she mentioned. “Vegetable fried rice seldom has sufficient greens.”

Comply with New York Instances Cooking on Instagram, Fb, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest. Get common updates from New York Instances Cooking, with recipe recommendations, cooking ideas and buying recommendation.