When it comes to shelf life, rice has some bragging rights. Stored correctly in a cool, dry place, uncooked white rice can last indefinitely, and dry brown rice has a shelf life of about six months. When cooked, both white and brown will last you four to six days. But what do you do if you pass those limits? Toss it? Compost it? Feed it to the birds? The good news is that all rice, cooked and uncooked, can be composted — but there are rules. Read on for the specifics. 

Can you compost rice at home? 

The short answer is yes, you can compost cooked and uncooked rice at home. The longer answer is that how you compost it will depend on the type of rice you have and how that rice was prepared.

Regardless, the first thing to know is that composing cooked or uncooked, fried, or plain rice in your compost pile can attract pests. Just like humans, little critters love rice and will scavenge through your compost pile to find it. 

Cooked rice is also susceptible to bacteria growth. While compost relies on bacteria to break down food scraps and aid in decomposition, too much bacteria can throw off the balance of your home compost pile, and potentially lead to some smelly compost. So, although cooked rice can be composted, it should be done in moderation. 

Composing uncooked rice 

Uncooked rice, either white or brown, can typically be added directly to a compost pile. High in nitrogen, rice is considered a green material when it comes to composting and, therefore, needs to be balanced out with an adequate amount of brown materials. Healthy compost has a balance of green and brown materials (one part green to three parts brown). 

Because of how hard and dense it is, uncooked rice may take a while to break down in your compost; but with a well-maintained pile that remains hot enough, is turned regularly, and has a consistent balance of greens and brown, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. 

Composting cooked, plain rice

Cooked rice is hydrated in water, which is what makes it fluffy, soft, and delicious. That also means that cooked rice is very, very moist. So, while you can compost cooked rice, you need to be careful to offset the extra moisture it may be adding to your compost pile. This might mean adding more dry brown materials like dry leaves and grass to balance it out. 

Composting cooked, seasoned rice

Rice that has been seasoned or prepared with oil, dairy, or other ingredients — like fried rice, rice pilaf, or risotto — can be composted, but carefully and in moderation. Just like other cooked rice, rice dishes like these are high in moisture. Oil and dairy are likely to attract pests, so you should be especially careful to bury prepared rice dishes in the center of your compost pile and bury them well so as not to attract unwanted pests.

4 ways compost rice at home

Now that you know you can compost rice at home, the next step is figuring out the best way to do it. These methods can help you compost rice as efficiently as possible.

1. A hot compost pile. A hot backyard compost pile is one that stays at a consistent temperature between 131°F and 160°F and is one of the best ways to compost both cooked and uncooked rice. Not only will the high temperatures kill harmful bacteria, but they will also speed up the decomposition process. That means that even hard, uncooked rice will have a better chance of breaking down.
   

2. In a covered bin or tumbler. A self-contained compost bin or tumbler is a great option for composting prepared foods at home, including rice. A bin or tumbler seals in odors and keeps pests away from your compost, meaning you don’t need to worry about uninvited guests showing up to eat last night’s dinner. Bins and tumblers also do a good job of trapping heat, which can also help speed the decomposition process. 
   

3. In a worm bin. Vermicomposting relies on worms to break down organic material to create compost. It’s totally safe for worms to eat cooked and uncooked rice — but not seasoned rice. Because worms also work faster than heat and oxygen, vermicomposting might also be one of the quickest ways to compost old rice. 
   

4. Through a municipal program. If home composting isn’t your thing, or if you just don’t feel like dealing with the extra work that might accompany adding rice to your home composting setup, you can use your area’s municipal composting program. Because municipal programs use industrial processes for composting, rice can always be composted this way. If your area doesn’t have a curbside collection program, check to see there’s an option to drop off the materials you’d like to compost. 

Tips for composting rice at home

Compost in small batches. Avoid adding large volumes of any kitchen scraps or leftovers to a compost pile at once, rice included. Generally, a small amount (say, one to two cups) of leftover rice should be fine to add to your pile or bin. If you’ve found yourself with quite a lot of rice you’d like to compost, consider freezing it and then composting it in batches. Doing so will help you avoid throwing off the balance of your compost heap or attracting pests. 

Pre-process with Mill. The Mill food recycler dries and grinds your food scraps overnight into nutrient-rich grounds that can be added to your garden or compost pile. By pre-processing either cooked or uncooked rice in a Mill before adding it to compost, you can avoid excess moisture in your compost and prevent unwanted guests because the food grounds don’t smell. It’s a win-win. 

Sources:

1. The Washington Post: “Can leftover rice make you sick? Your food safety questions answered.” January 29, 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/01/29/leftover-rice-safety-storage/
   

2. Environmental Protection Agency: “Approaches to Composting.” December 12, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/approaches-composting