The Ultimate Quick & Easy Fried Rice Recipe That Everyone Loves

Fried rice refines leftover ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that delights taste buds and rescues forgotten pantry staples.

rice sizzling in a hot pan creates magic with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Regional variations showcase incredible diversity in this humble dish that connects cultures through comfort food.

Unexpected ingredient combinations elevate simple meals into extraordinary dining experiences.

Skilled home cooks understand the secret lies in high heat and precise timing.

Versatile and adaptable, this one-pan wonder adapts to whatever ingredients you have available.

Get ready to unlock deliciousness with a technique that never disappoints.

Flavorful Fried Rice for Any Meal

• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: This fried rice recipe lets you play with ingredients, adding proteins like chicken or shrimp, or experimenting with different vegetables to match your taste preferences.
• Speed and Simplicity Win: With just one pan and less than 15 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without complex preparation.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: The combination of crispy rice edges, soft scrambled eggs, and tender vegetables creates a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every forkful interesting and satisfying.
• Nutrient-Packed Comfort Food: Packed with protein, vegetables, and balanced macronutrients, this fried rice offers a wholesome meal that's both comforting and nutritionally smart, delivering around 310 calories per serving.

Key Ingredients for Fried Rice

• White Rice: Chilled, day-old rice works best for achieving perfect texture and preventing mushiness.
• Large Eggs: Provides protein and rich texture, adding creamy scrambled component to the dish.
• Onion, Carrots, Peas: Fresh vegetables that add color, nutrition, and sweet, crisp flavor to the fried rice.
• Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: Essential for authentic Asian flavor profile and bringing depth to the entire dish.
• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall taste and provides aromatic base notes to the fried rice.
• Butter: Creates rich flavor and helps prevent sticking while providing smooth cooking surface for ingredients.

How to Make Perfect Fried Rice

Step 1: Prepare Chilled Rice

Cool down cooked rice in the refrigerator until completely cold, which helps prevent mushy texture when frying.

Step 2: Heat Cooking Surface

Melt butter in a large skillet or wok over medium heat, creating a smooth cooking base.

Step 3: Sauté Vegetable Base

• Chopped onion
• Diced carrots

Sauté for 2 minutes until vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Step 4: Incorporate Additional Vegetables

• Minced garlic
• Peas

Mix well with existing vegetables for balanced flavor.

Step 5: Create Scrambled Eggs

Push vegetable mixture to one side of pan, creating an empty space. Pour beaten eggs into the cleared area and gently scramble until softly cooked.

Step 6: Combine Egg And Vegetable Mixture

Thoroughly blend scrambled eggs with vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution.

Step 7: Add Chilled Rice

Incorporate cold rice into egg and vegetable combination, stirring consistently.

Step 8: Season The Fried Rice

• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil

Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.

Step 9: Final Seasoning

Sprinkle salt and pepper according to personal taste preference.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Plate immediately while hot and savor the delicious homemade fried rice.

Tips for the Best Fried Rice

• Chill for Texture: Refrigerate rice overnight to prevent clumping and achieve perfect separated grains for authentic fried rice.
• High Heat Magic: Use a scorching hot skillet or wok to create delicious crispy edges and enhance overall flavor development.
• Veggie Prep Matters: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
• Egg Scrambling Technique: Scramble eggs separately first, then fold into rice mixture to maintain distinct, fluffy egg pieces.
• Oil Selection Wisdom: Choose oils with high smoke points like peanut or vegetable oil to prevent burning and retain authentic stir-fry taste.

Storing and Reheating Fried Rice

• Refrigeration: Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish remains fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the container tightly closed to prevent moisture loss and maintain texture.
• Reheating Stovetop: Revive cold rice using a skillet for best results. Warm a small amount of oil over medium heat, then add leftover fried rice. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the rice reaches a steaming hot temperature throughout.
• Microwave Method: When time is short, use the microwave as a quick alternative. Sprinkle a tablespoon of water over the rice to restore moisture before heating.

Pairing Fried Rice with Vegetables

• Boost Protein Pairing: Complement the fried rice with grilled chicken or shrimp skewers, adding lean protein that enhances the dish's savory flavors and provides a satisfying texture contrast.
• Wine and Beverage Match: Select a crisp, light white wine like Riesling or a cold Japanese beer such as Asahi, which cuts through the richness of the fried rice and refreshes the palate.
• Vegetable Side Kick: Serve alongside a fresh cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing, offering a cool, tangy counterpoint to the warm, salty fried rice and balancing the overall meal experience.
• Umami Enhancer: Add a small side of kimchi or pickled vegetables to introduce additional depth and complexity, creating a more rounded flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.

Fun Variations of Fried Rice

• Protein Power Boost: Add diced chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein and a hearty meal that keeps you full longer.
• Veggie Celebration: Replace meat with additional vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms for a colorful, nutrient-packed version.
• Spicy Korean-Inspired: Mix in gochujang sauce, kimchi, and sprinkle with green onions for a zesty Korean-style fried rice with bold, tangy flavors.
• Breakfast Remix: Top with a sunny-side-up egg and crispy bacon bits to transform this dish into a satisfying morning breakfast bowl.

Fried Rice Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chinese-style fried rice blends savory wok-seared rice with tender vegetables and protein in a quick, satisfying meal. Soy sauce and aromatic garlic elevate this classic dish, offering you a delicious culinary journey through Asian comfort cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 ml) cooked rice, long or short grain
• 2 large eggs, whisked
• ½ cup (75 g) chopped onion
• ½ cup (65 g) chopped carrots
• ½ cup (75 g) frozen peas

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) lite soy sauce
• 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) sesame oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Fats:

• 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter

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Instructions

1. Refrigerate the cooked rice for at least 2 hours or overnight to ensure optimal texture and prevent clumping during frying.
2. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat, melting of butter until it shimmers and coats the cooking surface.
3. Sauté finely chopped onions and diced carrots for approximately 2 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables become slightly translucent and tender.
4. Introduce minced garlic and green peas to the vegetable mixture, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
5. Create a small clearing in the center of the pan, cracking 2 large eggs directly into the empty space.
6. Gently scramble the eggs, breaking them into small curds while gradually incorporating them with the existing vegetable mixture.
7. Add the thoroughly chilled rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps and stirring consistently to prevent sticking.
8. Drizzle of soy sauce and of sesame oil across the rice, tossing meticulously to ensure comprehensive flavor distribution.
9. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning for personal preference.
10. Continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the rice to develop a slight crispy texture and become thoroughly heated.
11. Transfer the fried rice to serving plates immediately, ensuring it remains piping hot and maintains its appetizing appearance.

Notes

• Refrigerate rice overnight to achieve the perfect dry, non-sticky texture for authentic fried rice.
• Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the quick cooking process and ensure everything is ready.
• Choose day-old rice for optimal results, as freshly cooked rice can become mushy and clump together.
• Customize vegetable mix with seasonal favorites or whatever is available in your kitchen.
• High heat is crucial for creating that signature slightly crispy, caramelized flavor profile.
• Experiment with protein additions like chicken, shrimp, or tofu to make the dish more substantial.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg