Can You Freeze Mexican Rice?
Mexican rice is one of the most favorite recipes on the Mexican cuisine list. And not only in Mexica, it is equally popular in other parts of the world as well. The delectable dish is good to go with almost every Mexican dish from tacos and enchiladas, and more.
If you are making Mexican rice at home and you want to store it for later use, or if you have leftovers, can you freeze the rice? Yes, like any other rice recipe, you can freeze Mexican rice easily at home. Freezing is in fact a terrific way to always have a tasty side dish on hand.
Additionally, freezing the rice dish also saves you the time and effort of cooking it again and again. I know you must be having a lot of questions now about freezing Mexican rice. Do not worry, I have got them all. Continue reading this article to find out more!
How To Freeze Mexican Rice?
Now that you know you can freeze Mexican rice to preserve it for later use, let us focus on the correct process of freezing the rice. Yes, a correct process because otherwise, you might end up losing freshness and flavor after you thaw it.
Freezing can be very critical if you are following the steps incorrectly. You can store the rice dish in the refrigerator for about 5 days if it is adequately sealed, but freezing has some rules. I have listed the steps below to freeze Mexican rice.
Check out the step-by-step approach to freezing Mexican rice at home:
- If your rice is still hot, allow the dish to cool completely at normal room temperature. Cooling might take about 4 hours or sometimes more. This depends on the quantity of rice you intend to freeze.
- Once the Mexican rice has cooled down completely, transfer it into good-quality ziplock bags with the help of a large spoon. If you have larger quantities of rice, try freezing it in smaller portions.
- Once the ziplock bags are filled, remove as much air as possible and seal them tightly. You can also use freezer-safe airtight containers to store your rice, but ziplock bags are a great option.
- Label and date the bags with appropriate details. And then stack them into the freezer for freezing. Make sure you are keeping it away from the edges of the freezer to protect your Mexican rice recipe from freezer burns.
Once, you have accomplished these easy steps, your Mexican rice is all set to be frozen. Well, the steps are easy, but you have to be careful while following them, otherwise, you might ruin the texture of the rice.
Note: Freezing might alter the texture and flavor of the rice dish to some extent. But it will still be safe to consume when you defrost it at a later stage. Also, the freshness of the rice will not be exactly the same as before, but you will still retain some freshness.
Does The Rice Freeze Well?
Yes, Mexican rice freezes quite well. The only thing you need to keep in mind is to follow proper instructions while freezing it. Do not leave the rice at room temperature for too long, as bacteria might act upon it, thus ruining it.
Also, if you have takeaway Mexican rice, do not attempt to freeze it. This is because you do not know how the rice has been treated before. The rice might be heated multiple times, which is a big no-no for freezing. Therefore avoid it.
Tip: If you intend to freeze the rice, then slightly undercooked the recipe. This will ensure better freezing.
How Long Can You Freeze Mexican Rice?
You can freeze Mexican rice for up to 4 months in the freezer. Freezing essentially increases the shelf life of the cooked rice for quite a long time. However, it is suggested to consume the rice as soon as possible to retain the best taste.
Also, if you are thinking of refreezing the Mexican rice. Do not do so! While it is technically possible to refreeze cooked rice dishes, you should not bother doing that. This will only degrade the quality, texture, and flavor of the rice recipe.
How To Defrost And Reheat Frozen Mexican Rice?
The process for defrosting Mexican rice is very simple. All you have to do is take the freezing rice out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours to defrost slowly. This will provide enough time for the rice to loosen. If you still find clumps, you can use a fork to separate them.
Reheating the rice can be tricky. This is because you can either directly reheat the Mexican rice from the freezer, or let it thaw first and then reheat. Well, both method works equally, it is just a matter of time.
For reheating, remove the rice from the ziplock bags, and transfer it into a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle some water before you put it inside the microwave for reheating. Heat it for 20-30 minutes, and your Mexican rice is all ready to serve.
Summing it up, that was all about freezing Mexican rice at home. Now you know the easiest way to preserve the rice for later use. Tell us if it was helpful!
