If you cooked a larger batch of rice noodles and you’re “stuck” with leftovers, pop them in the freezer.
Yes, you’ve read correctly: rice noodle dishes are freezer-friendly!
In fact, the freezer is a great place to keep leftover rice noodles. It will prevent the noodles from spoilage, prolong their safety and quality, and minimize food waste in your household.
Rice noodles of the fastest and easiest meals to make. They’re also yummy and practical so it doesn’t come as a surprise that we often end up making a bit more than we’re actually going to eat.
If this happens to you or if you simply like to food-prep, keep reading to learn all the do’s and don’ts of freezing rice noodles!
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How to Store Rice Noodle Leftovers?
Rice noodles meals are tasty and easy to prepare.
They make the perfect ingredient to make meals in advance. But, rice noodles don’t perform well if you keep them on the counter for a longer period of time. And, they only last for a couple of days in the fridge.
In fact, if you store them like this, they will eventually begin to spoil in a matter of days. This is why it’s essential to store them properly to prevent spoilage. The freezer is a great place to store rice noodles for a longer period.
But, in order to ensure the quality and safety of frozen noodles, you need to learn how to freeze them properly.
Can You Freeze Rice Noodles?
Rice noodles can be frozen for up to two months. And, most products containing rice or made from rice are freezer-friendly.
You can freeze both the cooked and uncooked rice noodles in the freezer. To freeze uncooked rice noodles, you should follow these steps:
- When you freeze rice noodles prior to cooking, you will prolong their freshness
- To freeze them, divide the noodles into portions and set them in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags
- In case you have a vacuum sealer, you can close the bag to ensure maximum freshness of the noodles inside
- Once the noodles are packed, they’re ready for the freezer
- Put the bags one over the other to ensure there’s also space left for other foods that you plan to freeze
On the other hand, if you need to freeze cooked rice noodles, here are the steps to follow for optimal storage:
- Prevent the texture from changing after the thawing and prolong shelf life by reducing the amount of the sauce you’re going to use
- Adding too much sauce to cooked rice noodles may also change their texture once you thaw them
- Cooked rice noodles in the freezer should be consumed within two months
- Don’t overcook the rice noodles to reduce the risk of them going mushy when you thaw and reheat them
- Portion out the noodles into a freezer-safe bag or a container, close them and label them with the storage date
- If you’re using containers, never overfill them, but make sure there’s space between the food and the lid
- If you use bags, remove as much air as possible from them before closing them
- Lay the bags flat in the freezer to avert ice from forming in the middle
How to Thaw Rice Noodles from the Freezer?
To thaw the noodles, you need to take them out of the freezer and leave them in the fridge for at least four to five hours to defrost.
If you don’t have that time, you can place the freezer bag in a bowl of cold water and thaw them faster. Once thawed, you can reheat and serve the leftover noodles.
You can keep the thawed rice noodles for up to two days in the fridge if you don’t plan to consume them right away. Avoid eating them later than this period because they will start to spoil.
Is It Safe to Reheat Rice Noodle Leftovers?
Rice noodles don’t need a lot of cooking so it can be easy to overcook them.
This is why you need to reheat them in a way to prevent overcooking because everyone agrees: mushy noodles are a no-go!
Below, check out several options that you have to reheat rice noodles from the freezer:
- The microwave is a quick way to heat rice noodles. You need to put the noodles in a microwave-safe bowl.
Sprinkle some water on top and cover them with a paper towel. Microwave them until hot in 30-second intervals. This reheating method is great if you need to soften harder or drier noodles.
- Another common way to reheat rice noodles is by frying them. You can add them to a stir fry. Always add them several minutes before the end of the cooking.
You can also reheat noodles individually by heating oil in a pan and cooking them for two to three minutes. You can add a bit of water if necessary.
- You can reheat the rice noodles in broth or hot water. Put them inside the hot liquid and this is sufficient to heat them.
Another option is to transfer the noodles to a colander and cover them with boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds. Avoid reheating rice noodles more than once because they will lose their texture and taste.
Final Thoughts
Rice noodles are the most delicious when you serve them right after cooking, but this doesn’t mean that the leftovers aren’t worth it! On the contrary, they can be stored in different ways and consumed later.
Although the fridge is a suitable option for a couple of days, the freezer is a much better choice to store them longer. In fact, in this way, you can keep both cooked and uncooked rice noodles in the freezer for up to two months.
What’s more, rice noodles are easy to reheat and there are various options you can choose from! All of them are quick and efficient.
What’s your favorite way to reheat rice noodles?
