How long does brown rice last?

FoodKeeper gives brown rice 1 year unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, that's 6 months in the refrigerator.

How to store it

FoodKeeper gives it half the time of white rice, so don't buy more than you'll get through in a year. Keep it in a sealed container somewhere cool.

Keep it cool and dry. USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the stove, under the sink, or in a damp garage or basement. Reseal opened packs, or decant them into something airtight.

What to look for

Brown rice keeps its oily bran, so it's the smell that gives it away. Throw it out if it smells stale, sour or like old oil.

USDA says spoiled food develops an off odor, flavor or texture, and that if it has, you shouldn't eat it.

Worth knowing

Once cooked, USDA's rice figure of 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator applies.

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does brown rice last unopened?

1 year, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does brown rice keep once opened?

1 year in the pantry. 6 months in the refrigerator.

Does brown rice go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says dates are about quality, except on infant formula. A product should still be safe if handled properly until spoilage shows, so check for an off smell, taste or texture.

What should I look for before using brown rice?