Best Leftover Rice Recipes That Aren’t Just Fried Rice

We’ve all been there: you make rice for dinner, but miscalculate by a lot, and now there’s a lonely container of cold rice sitting in the back of your fridge. Again. And while fried rice is the classic go-to, your taste buds are begging for something new.

Crispy Rice Cakes

Mix cold rice with a beaten egg, some grated cheese or chopped herbs, form into little patties, and pan-fry until golden and crisp. Think of them like rice hash browns—perfect with a poached egg on top or dunked in spicy mayo.

Rice Pudding

Warm rice, milk (dairy or oat), a touch of maple syrup, and cinnamon = dessert or breakfast in 10 minutes. Add fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of tahini if you're feeling fancy. Pro tip: use coconut milk for a creamy tropical version that tastes way more indulgent than it is.

Rice Bowls (Savory or Sweet)

Reheat rice and top it with a fried egg, avocado, hot sauce, and whatever veggies you have lying around. Or go sweet with peanut butter, banana, and honey. It's fast, filling, and 100% main-character breakfast energy.

Spam Musubi (a Hawaiian Classic)

Spam musubi is a beloved snack from Hawaii made by layering a slice of seared Spam on seasoned rice and wrapping it all in a strip of seaweed (nori). Think sushi vibes, but easier and more satisfying than you'd expect. It’s salty, savory, and totally packable—perfect for lunch, road trips, or late-night fridge raids.

Stuffed Peppers, Tomatoes, or Zucchini

Mix rice with canned beans, chopped veg, leftover ground meat or tofu, and stuff it into hollowed-out peppers or tomatoes. Bake until bubbly. It’s easy, satisfying, and looks way more effortful than it is.

DIY Sushi Bowls or Onigiri

Leftover sushi rice? Game on. Make deconstructed sushi bowls with whatever toppings you have—cucumbers, smoked salmon, avocado, nori snacks. Or shape into handheld onigiri with a salty filling in the middle. Your lunch just got an upgrade.

Add It to Soup or Broth

Soup night? Drop a scoop of rice into your bowl instead of noodles. It’s cozy, comforting, and helps thicken brothy soups without much effort. Bonus: it’ll make even the simplest broth feel more like a full meal.