Leftover rice is one of the best ingredients to have around when you are looking for a quick and tasty meal. Here are 21 recipes that are family friendly and full of flavors.
While freshly cooked rice is a beautiful thing on its own, cold, day-old rice has the perfect texture for frying, soaking up sauces, and turning into quick, satisfying meals. Whether you’re in the mood for a fast fried rice, a comforting bowl of soup, or something simple that doesn’t take a long time to make, there are so many ways to transform leftover rice into something tasty and satisfying.
Below are some of my favorite ways to use leftover rice — from comforting and filling dishes, light and soothing soups, to quick flavor upgrades you can make in minutes.
My Favorite Recipes for Leftover Rice
Sushi Rice
Before we get started on the main dishes, I thought I’d add sushi rice to this roundup because it is so versatile and probably the easiest recipe of this roundup!
There’s a lot you can do with sushi rice, such as nigiri sushi and sushi rolls, but did you know it can also be used for chirashi bowls and added to soups to infuse an element of acid and fruitiness?
Fried Rice
Day-old rice is exactly what you want when making fried rice. It’s slightly dry and crumbly, which means it fries up beautifully. Perfectly chewy grains seasoned with a few seasonings and ingredients is my go-to easy meal. For more fried rice recipes, take a look at my 13 Popular Fried Rice Recipes roundup.
If you’d like to learn more about the technique behind making great fried rice, check out my fried rice guide for tips on getting that perfect texture every time.
Japanese Fried Rice (Yakimeshi) – Easy Restaurant-Style Recipe
No Teppanyaki grill top needed to whip up this simple and savory Japanese fried rice (yakimeshi) recipe. A simple, classic version with soy sauce, egg, and vegetables. It can be made in a skillet and be ready to serve in just 15 minutes!
Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Packed with umami and savory flavors, this chicken fried rice comes with green peas and tender pieces of chicken. Ready in 10 minute from start to finish.
Egg Fried Rice
When I have leftover rice in the fridge, there’s a 98% chance I’m making this. Egg fried rice takes mere minutes to whip up. Minimal ingredients, simple steps, brilliantly delicious.
Easy Shrimp Fried Rice
Ready in less than 15 minutes and with delicately sweet, savory and briny flavors. This shrimp fried rice recipe beats takeout any day!
Kimchi Fried Rice
This kimchi fried rice is full of pungent, salty, and sour flavors. It’s a classic Korean dish you can make at home in just a few minutes. Top it with a fried egg for the ultimate comfort meal!
Filipino Garlic Rice
A breakfast staple in the Philippines, Filipino garlic rice (sinangag) is a great use for that leftover Jasmine rice sitting in your fridge right now. And it’s ready in just 10 minutes from start to finish.
Hong Kong Ketchup Fried Rice
Sweet, savory and packed with colorful vegetables, this popular Cantonese dish is comforting and only takes 20 minutes to make. Who knew ketchup fried rice could taste so good!
Takana Chahan
Japanese fried rice with tangy, savory pickled mustard greens. Takana chahan is classic comfort food from the southern part of Japan that proves you can enjoy big flavors with just a few ingredients.
Soups
Simple yet flavorful rice soups that are soothing and perfect for a light meal. They can be served as is or for more flavor, seasoned with a touch of soy sauce, fish sauce, or toasted sesame oil.
Basic Congee
This creamy and savory congee recipe is the perfect breakfast food, and a comforting meal for when you are feeling under the weather.
Okayu
Okayu is a simple Japanese porridge seasoned with various toppings such as umeboshi (pickled plum), salmon, or egg. It’s often served as a breakfast item and perfect to soothe an upset stomach.
Thai Rice Soup
A light, comforting Thai rice soup with fish balls that only takes 20 minutes to make from start to finish.
Ochazuke
Ochazuke is an iconic Japanese soup made leftover rice, green tea or dashi, and various toppings. It’s very easy to make, usually served at the end of a meal, and absolutely delicious!
Rice Bowls and More
Lastly, rice bowls, rice balls, and rice rolls. These recipes pack a punch in the flavor department. They are tasty mains that I like to serve with classic sides such as miso soup or a green salad with one my Japanese dressings.
Skillet Dolsot Bibimbap
This skillet dolsot bibimbap uses cabbage kimchi to add salty, savory, and spicy notes to the dish. But feel free to add your own spin to it!
Niratama Donburi
A delicious Japanese dish consisting of garlic chives and eggs cooked in a sweet and savory broth, and served over rice.
Tekka Don (Tuna Bowl)
As complicated as this tuna sashimi bowl looks, it’s actually one of the easiest and best rice bowls to make! Loaded with plenty of marinated tuna sashimi, nori, and shiso leaves, it’s a healthy and quick meal the entire family will love.
Shrimp and Potato Ankake Donburi
This Shrimp Ankake Donburi Recipe is very easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious! Classic Japanese flavors are at the core of this stir fried dish.
Tamago Kake Gohan
My favorite Japanese breakfast! I make tamago kake gohan with two base ingredients and a few toppings. A fluffy, eggy rice bowl packed with umami!
Conbini Style Tuna Mayo Onigiri
Easy to make, delicious, and kid friendly, onigiri (rice balls) have been a favorite food of mine ever since I was a little girl. This is my version of one of Japan’s most loved snacks – conbini (convenience store) tuna mayonnaise onigiri.
Onigiri (Salmon, Okaka, Mushroom, Furikake)
More rice balls because they are so easy to make and beyond tasty! Fluffy, salted and lightly compressed rice filled with goodies like salmon, kombu or okaka – wrapped in delicately toasted, crackly seaweed sheets.
Spicy Tuna Roll (Easy Canned Tuna Version)
Made with canned tuna, a creamy spicy sauce, and perfectly seasoned sushi rice, these rolls deliver the same bold, savory flavor you’d expect from your favorite sushi spot—without the fuss or the raw fish.
Quick Hacks to Turn Leftover Rice into a Tasty Dish
Sometimes the simplest option is the best. These quick flavor boosts take plain rice from boring to delicious in minutes:
- Soy sauce + sesame oil + green onions. A very classic flavor combination for fried rice.
- Butter + soy sauce. It sounds so simple and yet I could eat this everyday!
- Butter + miso. Stir frying rice with a little butter and miso paste for something savory and nutty.
- Soy sauce + chili crisp. This bumps up the flavor level to a 10! Spicy, savory, and nutty, it gives classic Szechuan vibes.
- Furikake seasoning. Sprinkle some on top of warm rice and you’ve got yourself a meal!
These are perfect when you don’t feel like cooking but still want something satisfying.
