Leftover Rice Recipes – Repurpose This Healthy Grain for Your Next Meal

Most of us always have some food leftover from the previous day’s meal, and it is usually rice. So what do you do with it? Read through this article and you will know what to do next time when you have leftover rice.

Recipes You Can Make with Leftover Rice

You will be surprised to know what all you can make with leftover rice. Listed below are 15 leftover rice recipes which will tickle your taste buds, and most importantly, are healthy and wholesome.

1. Vegetable Fried Rice

This is one of the most quintessential vegetarian rice recipes you can make and is extremely tasty.

Time Taken

It takes 10 minutes of preparation and 5 – 7 minutes to cook.

Servings

4 people

Ingredients

• Leftover rice – 4 medium size bowls
• Vegetable oil – 2-3 tablespoons
• Groundnut  – ¼ bowl
• Channa Dal or Toor Dal – 2 tablespoons
• Potato – 1, medium
• Onion – 1, medium
• Capsicum – 1, small
• Carrot – 1, small
• Tomato – 1, medium
• Turmeric – ½ tablespoon
• Chilli powder (optional) – ½ tablespoon
• Green Chilli (optional) – 1 or 2
• Salt – to taste

Method

• Wash the vegetables and dice them up.
• Heat oil in a kadhai and fry the groundnut and dal.
• Once they are slightly brown, add the onion and green chilli.
• After the onions turn light brown, add the vegetables, turmeric powder and chilli powder.
• Stir and put on the lid. Allow the vegetables to get cooked.
• Then add the rice and salt (to taste) and stir it well.
• Then lower the flame and leave it for a minute or two.

2. Phodni Bhaat

The quickest and best rice recipes for breakfast. It means tempering of rice.

Time Taken

It takes about 8 – 10.

Servings

4 people

Ingredients

• Leftover rice – 4 medium size bowls
• Mustard seeds – 1 tablespoon
• Cumin seeds – ½ tablespoon
• Curry leaves – 5-6
• Vegetable oil – 2-3 tablespoons
• Green chilli – 1-2
• Onion – 1 medium
• Turmeric powder – ½ tablespoon
• Chilli powder – ½ tablespoon
• Lemon – 2-3 tablespoon
• Salt – to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a kadhai.
• Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Then add the curry leaves.
• Add diced onion and green chilli.
• Put turmeric powder and chilli powder and let it cook for 30 seconds.
• Then add the rice and salt, and mix them well.
• Once that is done, switch off the stove, add lemon juice, and stir it well again.

3. Curd Rice

It is regarded as soul food for most people down in the south of India. It is easy on the stomach and makes for a light meal.

Time Taken

5 minutes

Servings

4 Persons

Ingredients

• Leftover rice – 4 medium bowls
• Cold milk – 2 cups
• Curd – 2 cups
• Cream – 3-4 tablespoons
• Salt – As per taste
• Vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
• Mustard seed – 1 teaspoon
• Urad dal – 1 tablespoon
• Dry red chilli – 1
• Ginger – 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
• Curry leaves – 10-12 leaves

Method

• Heat up the leftover rice with a little water.
• Once the rice cools down, add the cold milk, curd, cream, and salt.
• Heat a pan with oil. Throw in the mustard seeds, urad dal, and fry it till it turns light brown.
• Add the curry leaves, ginger and red chilli.
• Add this to the rice mixture and mix well.
• You may add chopped coriander or cucumber or even fruits like pomegranate, grapes etc.

4. Pudding

Rice pudding is one of the best rice sweet dishes that can be prepared when you have a strong sweet tooth craving.

Time Taken

Preparing and baking take about an hour’s time.

Servings

It serves 6 – 8 people.

Ingredients

• Leftover rice – 1 medium size bowl
• Eggs – 2
• Milk – 2-3 cups
• Sugar  – 1 cup
• Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon
• Dry fruits – ½ cup
• Nutmeg powder – 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon

Method

• Mix all the ingredients together well and pour it into a greased baking dish.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place the baking dish in the water-filled baking vessel, and bake it for 45 minutes.
• Insert a toothpick in the middle to check if it comes out clean. If the batter sticks to it, then bake it for another 10 – 15 minutes.
• You may also bake it in the pressure cooker but without the whistle.

5. Panta Bhaat

It acts as a coolant and is best eaten during the summer.

Time Taken

8 – 10 hours

Servings

4 people

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 4 bowls
• Salt – To taste
• Onion – 2, medium
• Green chilli – 4-8

Method

• Soak cooked rice overnight in water.
• Next day, drain the water and eat it with some chopped onions, green chilli and salt.
• You may make some pakoras as an accompaniment.

6. Akki Roti

This is a popular paratha in Karnataka which can be eaten with chicken or pickle.

Time Taken

15 – 20 minutes

Servings

2 people

Ingredients

• Cooked rice paste – 1 medium bowl
• Rice flour – Enough to make a dough
• Salt – To taste
• Onion – 1, small
• Coriander – Few sprigs
• Green chilli – 1
• Water

Method

• Mix all of it together to make to make a soft dough.
• Roll it out and fry them using a small amount of oil.

7. Pakora

Rice pakoras can be served as a savoury treat to guests or can be eaten as a tea-time snack.

Time Taken

20 minutes

Servings

4-5 persons

Ingredients

• Cooked rice paste – 2 cups
• Gram flour – ½ cup
• Onion – 1, medium (chopped)
• Coriander – Few sprigs (finely chopped)
• Green chilli – 1-2
• Salt – To taste
• Oil – Enough to deep fry

Method

• Mix all the ingredients to make a smooth paste.
• In a kadhai, pour oil and heat it.
• Drop scoops of the batter into the hot oil and deep fry in medium heat.

8. Rice Balls

This is an Italian recipe but with an Indian twist to it.

Time Taken

15 – 20 minutes

Servings

Serves around 4 – 5 people

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 2-3 cups
• Parmesan cheese – 1 cup
• Rice flour – 1 cup
• Sweet corn – ¼ cup
• Cilantro – ½ cup (chopped)
• Salt – To taste
• Vegetable oil

Method

• Mix all the ingredients together except the oil and the rice flour.
• Put cheese fillings in the centre and make balls.
• Heat oil in a kadhai. Roll each ball over the rice flour and drop them in the oil to fry.

9. Dosa

This leftover rice recipe for Indian dosa makes for a wholesome and tasty breakfast.

Time Taken

It requires 10 minutes to prepare and cook the dosa.

Servings

2 – 3 people

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 3 medium bowls
• Curd – 50 grams
• Salt – To taste
• Vegetable oil
• Half of an onion

Method

• Put all the ingredients in the grinder and make a fine paste.
• You may add some water if the batter becomes thick.
• Grease a non-stick pan well with vegetable oil.
• Take a scoop of the batter and spread it out evenly in the pan.
• Cook it over medium heat till the dosa base turns golden and crisp.

10. Rice Croquettes

This is one of the easiest rice patties’ recipes which you can make from leftover rice. It can be used to make burgers.

Time Taken

5 minutes of preparation time and 8 – 10 minutes of cooking time.

Servings

10 – 12 pieces

Ingredients

• Rice (a bit overcooked) – 2 cups
• Carrot (grated) – 1 cup
• Green peas – ½ cup
• Coriander leaves (chopped) – ½ cup
• Green chilli (chopped) – 2-3 Nos.
• Besan – 4-5 tablespoons
• Salt – To taste
• Vegetable oil – 5-6 tablespoons

Method

• Mix all the ingredients together except the oil.
• Divide it into 10 to 12 balls and press them a bit to give the patty shape.
• Refrigerate for a good 30 minutes.
• Add very little oil to the pan and place the rice patties.
• Fry each on medium heat until each side turns brown and crispy.

11. Rice Pancakes

This recipe is delicious in taste and very nutritious.

Time Taken

10 minutes

Servings

6 – 8 pancakes

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 2 medium size bowls
• Curd – 1 cup
• Onion (chopped) – 1 small size
• Green chilli – 1-2
• Coriander leaves – Few sprigs (finely chopped)
• Cumin powder – 1 tablespoon
• Chilli powder – ½ teaspoon
• Salt – To taste
• Vegetable oil

Method

• In a big bowl, mix together leftover rice and curd, and leave it overnight.
• Next morning, make a paste of it by grinding the mixture well.
• Add all the other ingredients and give it a good stir.
• Heat a pan and pour a little oil in.
• Take a scoop of the batter, pour it onto the pan and spread it around.
• After 4-5 minutes, fry the other side.

12. Rice Broth

This is ideal for people who are recuperating after an illness.

Time Taken

It takes 5 minutes of preparation time and about 45 minutes to cook.

Servings

6 – 8 soup bowls

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 2 cups
• Water – 5-6 cups
• Onion – 1 small (chopped)
• Garlic – 8 – 10 cloves (chopped)
• Carrots  – 1 cup (diced)
• Celery – ½ cup (chopped)
• Chicken – 1 cup (shredded)
• Chicken broth – 4-6 cups
• Olive oil – 1 tablespoon

Method

• In a pot, pour olive oil and add chopped vegetables.
• Cook it for some time and then add chicken broth and some water.
• Add rice and the shredded chicken.
• Cook the broth in low flame for 30 minutes.

13. Rice Roll

This roll is ideal to be packed for school and office lunch boxes.

Time Taken

20-25 minutes

Servings

4 rolls

Ingredients

• Chappatis – 4
• Shredded chicken – ½ cup
• Cooked rice – 2 cups
• Carrot (diced) – ¼  cup
• Onion (chopped) – ¼ cup
• Tomatoes – ¼ cup
• Black pepper powder– 1 teaspoon
• Ketchup – 3-4 tablespoons
• Soya sauce – 1 tablespoon
• Salt – To taste
• Oil – 2 tablespoons

Method

• In a pan, pour oil and fry the vegetables.
• Add shredded chicken, rice, soya sauce, salt and ketchup to the fried vegetables.
• Once done, sprinkle some black pepper powder.
• Then place the chappatis on a plate and put some of the fillings in it.
• Carefully roll the chappati.

14. Idli

Idli is an all-time favourite for most and can be eaten with peanut and coconut chutney/sambar or even both.

Time Taken

Preparing and cooking take about an hour.

Servings

12 – 15 Idlis

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 1 cup
• Beaten rice (poha) – ¼ cup
• Semolina – 1 cup
• Curd – 1 cup
• Water – As required
• Salt – To taste
• Eno – 2-3 tablespoons

Method

• Mix cooked rice, poha and rawa with salt and yoghurt and set it aside for 45 minutes to an hour.
• Add a little water and make a paste.
• Leave it aside for another 15 minutes.
• Then add Eno to the batter and stir it.
• Pour the batter into the greased idly moulds and cook it for 15 minutes.
• Switch off the stove and let the idlis rest for 5 minutes in the steam.

15. Lemon Rice

It is quick and easy, and therefore, a great dish if you are in a hurry.

Time Taken

10-15 minutes

Servings

2 people

Ingredients

• Cooked rice – 2 bowls
• Urad dal – 1 tablespoon
• Groundnut – 3-4 tablespoons
• Curry leaves – 1 sprig
• Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder – ½ tablespoon
• Oil – 2 tablespoons
• Dry red chilli – 1
• Salt – To taste
• Lemon juice – 3-4 tablespoons

Method

• Heat oil and then add mustard seeds, groundnut and urad dal and fry until golden brown.
• Add curry leaves and dry red chilli.
• Add turmeric powder, rice and salt and stir it well.
• Switch off the stove and add lemon juice and stir again.

FAQ’S

1. How to Store Leftover Rice?

Let the rice cool down first. Then put it in a container with an airtight lid and keep it in the fridge.

2. Can I Eat 2-day-old Cooked Rice?

Yes. However, make sure to cool it down fast and store it in an airtight container before keeping it in the fridge.

3. Can I Reheat Takeaway Rice?

It is not advisable to reheat takeaway rice since it can cause food poisoning.

4. Can Babies Eat Reheated Rice?

Giving re-heated rice to babies could lead to food poisoning in babies. Always feed babies freshly cooked rice.

5. How Can I Fry Leftover Rice?

You can prepare many types of fried rice recipes with leftover rice. You just need to be creative.

Try out the healthy, sumptuous and easy to make leftover rice recipes, and you will never have to worry about food getting wasted.

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