Leftover rice is one of the best blank slates ever. Crisp it up by frying it with any protein or your favorite veggies, add it to buddha bowls or lettuce wraps, or mix it in casseroles or soups. The possibilities are literally endless. The main things to know are never, ever throw away extra rice, and when you make rice, double it up and plan to use the leftovers for easy meals in the coming days. Looking for more shortcuts to make your weeknights easier? Check out our favorite recipes to make with a rotisserie chicken and our easiest pasta dinners.
Fried Rice
If you have leftover rice on hand, Fried Rice is your first go-t0.
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Spicy Salmon Bowl
There is something magical about grain bowls. They are perfect for meal prepping and packing up for lunches. All of the components are great on their own, and once they're tossed together, they somehow become even better.
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Classic Stuffed Peppers
The bell pepper is an excellent vessel for stuffing meat, rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough to hold its shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything.
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Copycat Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Adding leftover rice to these lettuce wraps stretches the filling, and the rice soaks up those flavors like a dream!
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Ahi Poke Bowls
Freshen up leftover rice with a little vinegar and it works beautifully in Poke Bowls.
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Thai Chicken Fried Rice
Rather than soy sauce like a traditional Chinese fried rice would use, Thai fried rice uses fish sauce. A sauce called, prik nam pla, which is fish sauce and Thai red chilis, is used in the dish and served along with it as an additional garnish.
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Buddha Bowls
The beauty about grain bowls is that they're infinitely adaptable. You can roast just about any veggie and it'll taste amazing in this recipe.
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Caramelized Beef With Rice
Caramelized Beef With Rice is a rich-in-flavor and weeknight-friendly dinner that cooks in under 10 minutes!
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Pizza Rice
Think of it as pizza with a different foundational carb: rice instead of bread. It's still delicious, and you don't need to wait for that dough to proof and rise.
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Kimchi Fried Rice
This recipe has six ingredients, but it’s all about the rice and the kimchi. If there are any leftover rice containers from last night’s take out, fried rice begs to be on the menu. If you also have kimchi on hand (which you should), there is no better time to make Kimchi Fried Rice.
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Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
This comforting soup is sort of like an earthy version of chicken noodle soup.
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Copycat Panera Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup
If you love this at Panera, just wait until you try it at home.
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Pork Fried Rice
Aside from the rice and the eggs, everything can be substituted. Any combo of cooked and cooled rice (it crisps up better), eggs, aromatics (like onion, shallots, green onions, garlic, ginger), and protein (pork, chicken, shrimp, tofu, whatever!) will turn out amazing.
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Kimbap
Turn leftover rice into the snack or lunch of your dreams.
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Beef Fried Rice
Transform leftover rice into better-than-takeout stir fry.
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Mediterranean Shrimp & Rice Soup
This healthy and delicious soup is one you can really feel good about.
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Pineapple Fried Rice
To give this rice more an island vibe, we fried the rice and veggies in coconut oil. And if you're feeling fancy, consider serving the rice in pineapple bowls...preferably under our garlicky ginger shrimp.
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Beef & Broccoli Buddha Bowls
A Buddha bowl you won't believe.
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