Sometimes you make extra rice and have lots of leftover rice that you don’t know what to do with. And you’re left wondering what to do with leftover white rice or basmati rice or any other rice for that matter.
We usually reuse leftover rice by adding it to other dishes or turning it into a tasty fried rice dish with veggies or meat, or turning it into hot and spicy pakoras or more. You can also use cooked rice that’s left over to stuff burritos or tacos, or make a quick- and-easy sausage rice, or even a rice dessert or snack.
So to answer your question about what to do with rice you haven’t finished eating yet, here’s a list of some amazing dishes to make with leftover rice.
1. Traditional East Indian Wedding Rice
East Indian Wedding rice is a delicious and tasty dish served at most East Indian weddings and speical functions.
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2. Leftover Rice Pakora (Chawal Ke Pakore) – Spice Up The Curry
Rice Pakora Recipe or Chawal Ke Pakore Recipe – made from leftover cooked rice, besan, spices, and vegetables. Very quick and easy to make.
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3. Vegan Fried Rice
This easy Vegan Fried Rice is quick and flavorful. Customizable with whatever veggies you have in your fridge. Perfect for a weeknight meal!
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4. Easy & Tasty Burnt Onion Rice – Abby’s Plate
Burnt onion rice is a different sort of tasty rice! Just a few onions and nuts and its eatable on its own or with chutney.
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5. Spam Musubi
Spam musubi is an easy snack or lunch made with rice topped with fried slices of spam & wrapped in nori seaweed. A delicious Hawaiian snack!
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6. Indian Lemon Rice (Vegan Turmeric Lemon Rice)
Indian Lemon Rice – a tangy, crunchy and flavourful dish that gets together in under 20 minutes and makes an ideal dish on busy weekdays or to pack for lunchbox.
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7. Leftover rice fryums – vadam
It is summer, and following the good old mum trick, we make vadams and vattals in summer aka fryums. We use leftover cooked rice that will stay for a bit longer and satisfy the crunch factor for the kids.
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8. Ham Fried Rice – Oh My Food Recipes
Have leftover ham? Try out this authentic, tasty ham fried rice recipe and learn how to make the best ham fried rice at home.
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9. Air Fryer Arancini | Italian Rice Balls
Arancini/Italian Rice Balls is a popular street food in Sicily. This classic deep fried recipe is air fried to make it a healthier snack.
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10. Indo Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice My Cooking Journey
Indo Chinese Vegetable Fried Rice is a flavorful and quick to make recipe. A great recipe to make with leftover rice.
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11. Easy Onigiri お握り (Japanese Rice Balls)
Onigiri or Japanese rice balls is a popular Japanese snack made with white rice formed into a triangular shape & wrapped with nori (seaweed)!
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12. Air Fryer Egg Fried Rice
Simple and quick to make in the air fryer, this egg fried rice is one delicious side that’s loaded with flavor. Perfect to serve up with your favorite Chinese meals.
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13. Veggie Fried Rice Ultimate Recipe (With Alternatives)
A great way to sneak in some veggies, for myself and my kids, is this simple veggie fried rice recipe. Check out the classic version and fun variants.
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14. Golabki: Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
For Poles, Golabki needs no introduction. It’s always on Polish tables (especially at Christmas) regardless of which part of the country you’re coming from, and the recipe is always pretty much the same even if
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15. Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice
This kimchi-bacon fried rice recipe is a delicious, comforting side dish with a Korean twist. It is easy to cook and easy to clean up!
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16. Kimchi Fried Rice with Spam
Kimchi fried rice with spam is a delicious way to use up leftover ripe kimchi and day old rice. Add fried spam and a fried egg to take this to another level!
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17. Middle Eastern Stovetop Rice Pudding – (Riz Bi Haleeb)
Stovetop rice pudding, or riz bi haleeb, is a creamy warm Middle Eastern dessert that’s easy to make using cooked rice, fresh milk, sugar, rosewater, and orange blossom water.
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18. Korean Gochujang Fried rice
Featuring fluffy rice and veggies tossed in a spicy, savory sauce, this Gochujang fried rice is a crowd-pleaser! This recipe is easy, and ready in 15 mins.
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19. Rice Patties Recipe with Carrots 🍙 MasalaHerb.com
Delicious Rice Patties with Carrots, prepared with leftover rice. Make these vegetarian rice cakes healthier with brown rice.
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20. Quick Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Quick oven baked Stuffed Pepper Casserole, a lazy version of undone stuffed peppers (or unstuffed). Made with cooked rice, and Italian sausage
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21. Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat)
Panda Express fried rice is one of our favorite side dishes from the popular Asian take out restaurant. Just like this air fryer ham fried ri
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22. South Indian Tomato Rice Recipe – Rachna cooks
A perfect breakfast option, South Indian style Tomato Rice is perfect for breakfast, lunch or a snack. Team it with veg raita or an egg for a complete meal.
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23. Leftover Rice Prawn and Mushroom Stir Fry
Leftover rice prawn and mushroom stir fry is a delicious quick and easy recipe when you’re wondering what to do with leftover rice. A healthy leftover rice recipe that serves 2 and takes just 30 minutes!
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24. Corn Fried Rice (Vegan Sweetcorn Recipe)
Corn Fried Rice – an easy and quick vegan dish that makes a perfect weeknight dinner. Flavour packed simple fried rice is made with few ingredients that make an ideal dish for kids.
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25. Easy Tom Yum Fried Rice
You need to give this tom yum fried rice a try! It is packed with flavors, delicious and fiery. This version is easy to make and is ready in 15 mins.
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26. Crispy Rice Sushi with Smoked Salmon and Bang Bang Sauce
Crispy Rice Sushi recipe with salmon (or spicy tuna) is crunchy, delicious, and easy! Let me show you how to make sushi rice crispy & crunchy!
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27. Bacon and Egg Fried Rice
This easy Bacon and Egg Fried Rice recipe is delicious any time of day or night! A quick and comforting stir fry with simple ingredients.
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28. Quick kheer recipe
Turn leftover rice into a wonderfully fragrant Indian dessert in 10 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.
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29. One-Pot Chicken and Rice Soup – I Heart Naptime
Chicken and rice soup is a comforting and delicious one-pot meal that the whole family will love. It’s ready in just 30 minutes!
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30. Authentic Polish Golumpki Recipe – Cabbage Rolls That Taste Like Poland!
Looking for authentic Polish golumpki recipe? Check out this traditional recipe for Polish stuffed cabbage rolls that you can easily make at home!
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31. BURNT GARLIC AND TOFU FRIED RICE
This Vegan Burnt Garlic and Tofu Fried Rice is a perfect accompaniment to complete your Indo-Chinese meal. The distinctive taste of burnt garlic really comes through without overpowering the delicate flavour of the vegetables and
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32. Healthy Spring Vegetable Fried Rice Recipe | Hurry The Food Up
Need to use some leftover rice and veggies? Rustle up some egg fried rice with this healthy vegetable fried rice recipe!
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33.
34. Mango Rice Recipe | How to Make Raw Mango Rice (Step-by-step Recipe) – Rachna cooks
This is a super easy and tasty mango rice recipe made with raw mangoes. This is tangy, spicy and very quick to make. Try this recipe.
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35. Crab Fried Rice
This Crab Fried Rice is so simple but extremely tasty with natural sweetness from crab meat and richness from eggs. Great for everyday meals as well as special occasions.
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36. Leftover Rice pakoda
Rice pakoda, a crispy deep-fried snack made with leftover rice. Leftover cooked rice is mixed with besan, onions and spices and deep-fried.
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37. Vegan Rice Bowl with Smoky Tempeh • Happy Kitchen
This vegan rice bowl with smoky tempeh makes for a great hot dinner and cold lunch on the go. Easy to make, high in protein, and absolutely delicious!
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38. Korean Fried Rice
Korean Fried Rice recipe that will feed a family. Made with chicken, can be made as a vegetarian recipe. So easy to make, packed with flavor
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39. Easy Chicken Fried Rice
This easy fried rice recipe uses up your leftovers in a quick, tasty 20-minute one-pan dinner! Easy Chicken Fried Rice is a weeknight favorite!
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40. Pineapple Fried Rice | The Ultimate Combo – Ready in 30 mins!
Pineapple Fried Rice. Some food pairings were just meant to be together, and this is one of them. Get your sweet, crunchy and tropical hit right now!
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41. Healthy Chicken Fried Rice (no soy option)
Better than take-out heathy chicken fried rice! Made with brown rice, loaded with veggies, and ready in less than 30 minutes.
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42. Easy Giardiniera Rice Salad
Perfect for the summer, this popular Italian rice salad is great for picnics or lunch-boxes and is super quick and easy to make.
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43. 15 Minute Egg Fried Rice Recipe | MasalaHerb.com
Homemade egg fried rice prepared with leftover cooked rice. Instructions with variation and ingredient ideas. Prep + Cooking 15 minutes only!
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44. Leftover Pork Fried Rice – Chinese Takeout Style
Pork Fried Rice is a great way to use up leftover roasted pork! This Pork Fried Rice is done, before you can go pick up takeout!
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45. How To Make Smoked Stuffed Peppers
Smoked stuffed peppers is a delicious and easy dinner recipe that everyone will love; the perfect dish for your next barbecue or potluck!
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46. Best Morisqueta Recipe
Morisqueta is a popular dish in the Mexican state of Michoacán. In this plant-based version, tender rice, creamy beans, and red salsa mix together to deliver simple, yet bold and delicious flavors.
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47. Scallop Fried Rice
Scallop fried rice is a quick and easy recipe with ginger and garlic. Sweet tasting pink swimming scallops look fancy and cook fast.
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48. Brown Rice Pudding (Instant Pot or Stovetop!)
This easy brown rice pudding is made with cooked brown rice, maple syrup, milk, and dried fruit. Make it in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop!
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49. Simple Hibachi Fried Rice Recipe | Japanese Fried Rice – Spoons Of Flavor
Make this simple yet flavorful Hibachi Fried Rice or Japanese Fried Rice in10 minutes using a few ingredients in the comfort of your home.
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50. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice and Cheese
Fresh bell peppers stuffed with a mixture of seasoned ground beef, onions, hearty rice, and topped with a layer of melty, gooey cheese.
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51. Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl – Worldly Treat
Are you looking for a healthy dinner recipe? Try this sweet potato buddha bowl. It is a delicious and flavorsome dish packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
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52. Taco Rice Casserole Freezer Meal | A Taste of Madness
Easy Taco Rice Casserole Freezer Meal made with beans and ground beef. Great recipe to make ahead for the week as your weekly dinner meal prep.
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53. Healthy Egg Fried Rice with Prawns – Cinnamon and Kale
Healthy egg fried rice with prawns takes 15 minutes. It’s a healthy, filling one pan meal. You can substitute other veggies or protein.
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54. Ham and Cheese Baked Rice Recipe (Arroz de Forno Misto)
A ham and cheese baked rice recipe is a casserole made with leftovers, making dinner a delicious yet easy task. It is cheeesy and delish!
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55. Better Than Takeout Shrimp Fried Rice
Use up leftover rice in this authentic one-pot Shrimp Fried Rice! Quick & easy (only 30 min!) with frozen veggies, but with lots of flavor from the egg & Chinese sausage.
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56. Dirty Whorechata – Cuss Kitchen
The Dirty Whorechata is a creamy Latin Horchata with Coffee, Rum and Kahlua, Try this creamy rice-based cocktail warm!
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57. Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
This stuffed peppers recipe with ground beef is an affordable, satisfying, and easy dinner for your family! They’re loaded with seasoned beef, rice, and cheddar cheese.
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58. Indian Tindora Rice – Ivy Gourd Pulao
Tindora Rice – Ivy Gourd Pulao is a delicious spiced rice with baby cucumbers, known as ivy gourd or kovakkai #vegetarian #rice #indianfood
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59. Prawn Fried Rice with Egg
Delicious prawn fried rice, bursting with flavour and ready to eat in just 20 minutes! Customise with any of your favourite add-ins.
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60. Cheesy Zucchini Casserole – Veggie Side Dish Made with Leftover Rice!
Turn your fresh vegetables and leftover rice into this Cheesy Zucchini Casserole for an easy and creamy gluten free side dish! Yum!
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61. Lemon Rice | Chitranna Recipe | How to make Lemon Rice – Cook with Kushi
Lemon Rice, Chitranna is a delicious vegan, flavorful rice with the right amount of crunchiness, spiciness, tanginess.
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62. Black Bean and Rice Salad with Cumin Lime Dressing
This easy black bean and rice salad w/ tangy homemade cumin lime dressing is a great side dish for picnics, potlucks and cookouts. Use fresh kale, tri-color sweet peppers & canned black beans.
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63. The best Chinese sausage fried rice – Casually Peckish
This Chinese sausage fried rice is the ultimate fried rice of them all. It is flavour packed comfort food, quick and easy!
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64. Simple Vegan Sushi Recipe – A Pinch of Healthy
You make your own sushi in a snap with this simple vegan sushi recipe. It is so delicious and easy to make!
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65. Com Da Ca Chua (Vietnamese Tomato Rice)
Yesterday, we were in Africa and today we’ve gone to Vietnam’s version with a really intense tomato flavor. Tomato paste is what gives the intensity of flavor in this version. Do not substitute tomato puree
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66. Ham Fried Rice (Quick and Easy!) | Valerie’s Kitchen
Use leftover ham to cook up a batch of this easy Ham Fried Rice. This flavorful fried rice takes just 15 minutes to prepare!
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67. Vegan Baked Fried Rice with Soy Gochujang Sauce – Avocado Skillet
This Vegan Baked Fried Rice with Soy Gochujang Sauce is a high protein and easy to make vegan dinner recipe. Avocado Skillet is a food blog.
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68. Pork Belly Fried Rice with Egg and Scallion
This fried rice with salted pork belly, egg and scallion is so fragrant and delicious, you won’t believe how quick and easy it is to make!
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69. Tuna Rice Salad – Every Little Crumb crowdpleaser! Every Little Crumb
An easy and delicious throw together rice salad with tuna, corn, bell pepper and peas. Makes a great potluck dish and holds up very well in the fridge!
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70. One Pan Vegan Tofu Fried Rice
This vegan tofu fried rice is delicious, easy, and (most importantly), fast; making it the perfect quick, healthy recipe to keep on hand.
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71. Lebanese Rice Pudding – Every Little Crumb Every Little Crumb
A classic Lebanese rice pudding, riz bi haleeb is creamy, comforting and so simple. Stove top rice pudding with rose water is delicious!
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72. Asian Tofu Rice Bowls
Asian Tofu Rice Bowls that are vegan, delicious, and easy to make.The perfect balance of sweet and savory for a healthy weeknight dinner!
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73. Mushroom Fried Rice
Mushroom Fried Rice recipe is budget-friendly and super quick to make. It’s a great way to use up leftover cooked rice, is made all in one pan and takes no more than 15 minutes!
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74. Mushroom Arancini (Vegan Risotto Balls)
Crunchy, creamy Mushroom Arancini are one of my favourite ways to use up leftover risotto! I make these Vegan Risotto Balls pretty much every time I make
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75. Gluten-free Holiday Ham & Rice Eggs Benedict with Blender Cranberry Hollandaise
Gluten-free Ham & Rice Eggs Benedict with quick blender Cranberry Hollandaise
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76. Brown Rice Salad Recipe
It’s easy to turn cold cooked brown rice into a delicious meal or side salad loaded with beans, herbs and spices, and your favorite vegetables.
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77. Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Mushrooms 生炒牛肉飯 (素食)
Just Egg Easy Vegan Fried Rice with Mushrooms 生炒牛肉飯 (素食) Hong Kong-style restaurants best Chinese takeout dish. Plant-based egg substitute
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78. Meat Dolma: Armenian Stuffed Grape Leaves
This authentic Armenian Meat Dolma recipe is so good, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t been stuffing grape leaves your whole life.
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If you want our traditional East Indian recipes on hand, the Abby's Plate Cookbook Series books are available online or in-store in most countries.
Latest Book:
Christmas with the Rebellos:
East Indian Meals & Desserts from Abby's Plate
See the full list of books here!
79. Thai Green Curry Fried Rice – Evergreen Kitchen
This vegan eggless fried rice recipe uses Thai green curry paste for a quick boost of flavor. Brimming with veggies, tofu, and fresh herbs. (Gluten-free)
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I’m an East Indian foodie and travel blogger from Bombay, India. I love food, wine, and sharing my culture’s ethnic East Indian and traditional Indian recipes. You’ll find more info about me here!
