9 Easy & Thrifty Ways to Use Leftover Rice + Recipe Ideas

Ever found yourself wondering what to do with leftover rice? There is no need to throw it away. Cooked rice is so versatile, don’t let it go to waste. Instead transform any leftover into a delicious meal. Below I have compiled some of my favourite recipes.

STUFFED VEGETABLES

Tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, mushrooms, aubergines, marrows etc… can all be stuffed with tasty leftover rice or even risotto. Simply take out some of the flesh of the vegetables you are stuffing, mix flesh with leftover rice and grill in the oven with maybe a sprinkle of cheese on top. This recipe of Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice Recipe from Taste of Home can easily be adapted.

 

FRIED RICE

Check out the recipe above to see how leftover rice can easily be fried with some vegetables and eggs to make a speedy dinner. Fried rice is often a last-minute packed lunch option for my kids on busy mornings. Try this Fast-Fix Fried Rice [flexitarian] by BBC Good Food.

 

RICE FRITTERS

Fritters are the perfect way to use leftover risotto as in the recipe above which I created for the Food Waste Challenge from AO.com

ARANCINI

Arancini are delicious stuffed rice balls rolled in crispy breadcrumbs. There are perfect made with leftover risotto. This recipe by Jamie Oliver is one of my favourites.

 

LUNCH BOWL / BUDDHA BOWL

Before embarking on my plant-based journey, ham or smoked fish featured regularly on my lunch plate. My new and healthier approach is a buddha bowl which has the advantage of making use of whatever leftover I have in the fridge.  Simply mix together some fresh crudités, leftover grain or rice, beans, pulses, hummus, seeds, nuts plus even cooked vegetables. Drizzle with a sauce and here you have a healthy meat free plate. Try this Buddha Bowl by Simple Vegan Blog.

 

ENCHILADAS, CRÊPES & WRAPS

For a delicious meal with a twist, try enchiladas, crêpes or wraps filled with some leftover rice such as these Black Bean, Corn, and Red Rice Enchiladas [vegan] via One Green Planet. Play around with it, adding vegetables and flavours of your choice.

 

RICE SALAD

Rice salad was a real staple when I was a student. You can customise it with your favourite ingredients or whatever you have lying around in the fridge. Rice, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, corn, cucumber and vinaigrette is still my preferred option for lunch when we go for picnics or hikes. You can also try this Brown Rice Salad with Avocado [vegan] via Saveur.

 

RICE GRATIN

Rice gratin makes a hearty dish where you can add your choice of vegetables, cheese, herbs etc.. See my recipe above for a Greek twist.

 

RICE PUDDING

Follow this handy guide from Epicurious to turn leftover rice into a delicious dessert. Vanilla or cinnamon are my favourite flavours.

Do you have a favourite recipe to make use of leftover rice? Please share it in the comments box below.

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