Have you ever cooked rice expecting a heavenly aroma, only for it to smell bad afterward?
I’m a sensitive person when it comes to smell.
So when an especially bad odor hits my nose, I’m propelled to take action.
I’m also no stranger to questions like “Why does my rice smell bad?”
Been there, asked that.
Storage and Shelf Life
Some foods are known to get better with age. Unfortunately, rice isn’t one of them.
And some varieties turn bad faster than others.
But before discussing some of the reasons why your rice smells bad, let me ask you this first.
How did you store (or didn’t) your rice?
Perhaps you didn’t do it properly?
Or did you leave your cooked rice on the kitchen table for more than 2 hours after cooking it?
Cooked Rice
Avoid leaving cooked rice (brown or white) unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours after cooking. Doing so causes the rice to develop a weird smell because of potential bacterial growth.
Cooked rice can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. Store it in the freezer, and it will have a shelf-life of up to 6 months.
Uncooked Rice
White rice can last two years if and when stored properly in airtight containers.
Take note: Those containers should keep out dust, moisture, and other contaminants to keep the rice smelling fresh.
With uncooked brown rice, six months is pushing it even if stored at an ideal temperature of 50°F or below. Any more than that, and it starts to turn bad.
Any guesses on why? Because of its higher oil content.
Mold and Fungi
Your rice can also take on a stale, yeasty smell due to the presence of mold and fungi.
Damp and warm conditions breed these microorganisms. So, make sure you refrigerate your cooked rice next time.
Take mold and fungi as signs that your cooked rice is no longer edible.
Spoilage
Both cooked and uncooked rice can become spoiled.
Cooked rice spoils at room temperature in just a few hours.
Uncooked rice becomes smelly and eventually spoils when exposed to direct sunlight and moisture.
At a glance: If you notice, everything ultimately goes back to how you store your rice, whether it’s uncooked or cooked.
Therefore, improper storage is the main cause behind the question, “Why does my rice smell bad?”
Why Does My Rice Smell Like…
Describing the particular smell coming from your rice indicates how bad it is.
Is it still salvageable, or is it spoiled and beyond repair?
Which of the following odors can best describe your rice?
Corn
If your rice smells like corn but in an intensified grassy, earthy way, then it’s probably due to the brand and strain of rice you bought.
If the smell truly bothers you, wash the uncooked rice five times, soak it for 30 minutes, and cook it with new water.
Plastic
Uncooked rice may smell this way because it was packed in low-quality plastic containers or other packaging materials.
Similarly, your cooked rice can smell like plastic because you stored it in a low-quality container. It could also be that you didn’t wash the container properly before placing the cooked rice in it.
Chemicals
During cultivation, rice is exposed to chemicals and pesticides. This is why yours smells like ammonia or has this urine and sweat-like odor.
Remember to always wash your rice thoroughly. Or you could just buy organic rice, which has fewer chemicals.
Feet or Cheese
If left at room temperature, bacteria can appear in cooked rice as early as six hours. They produce acidic compounds that emit strong, pungent smells akin to sweaty feet or cheese.
Don’t consume your cooked rice if it does smell like feet or cheese, as these are clear signs of spoilage.
Milk
The milk-like scent has something to do with the uncooked rice’s transportation and storage.
Your uncooked rice might have been placed beside milk products in the store you bought it from. Or it could be because you bought rice in bulk from a warehouse that also sells dairy products.
Fish
It could be from the utensils you used when cooking your rice.
They may not have been properly cleaned and were previously used to make dishes with fish as an ingredient. It could also be from your hands if you handled fish before rinsing your rice grains.
Just make sure you thoroughly clean your hands and kitchen utensils before cooking.
Sour
Rice smelling sour is a clear indication that it has gone bad. It usually smells this way after 24 hours of being left at warmer room temperatures.
Dispose of the rice immediately because consumption can only lead to digestive discomfort.
Saving Rice That Kinda Smells Off
If, and that’s a big IF.
If you followed the storage recommendations mentioned before, then that mildly bad smell shouldn’t stop you from salvaging your rice.
Likewise, if the smell is truly faint and you find no visual signs of spoilage, like mold and discoloration, then there’s still a chance.
You can fry your rice with chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. These ingredients neutralize mild off-odors and add more flavor to rice.
Saute some spices as well. Turmeric, cumin, or curry powder can work wonders.
Check out our recipes to give you more ideas on how to save your pot of rice.
You Can Breathe Easy Now
If you take a whiff of your rice and there’s something unpleasant about it, well…
Let’s just say it isn’t normal, and you should start running for the hills.
I’m kidding! But you should be cautious.
Do keep in mind, too, that a “bad” smell doesn’t always mean spoilage. Some rice varieties, like Basmati, can smell nutty and earthy, which some people just find off-putting.
Other than this, it’s best to throw it out if you’re uncertain of the safety of your rice.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, after all.
Keep the kitchen smelling of mouth-watering aromas, Foodies! And never (ever) because of spoiled rice.
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