Easy Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

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Enjoy this Easy Fried Rice Recipe in less than 10 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights. Make this in less time than it takes to get take out and you will save money too.

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Easy Fried Rice Recipe:

Learn how to make this delicious fried rice recipe in just minutes. Your family can enjoy authentic fried rice with very little work. Our entire family loves fried rice but take out gets expensive especially for a large family like ours.

Now, you can make this fried rice so fast that it is quicker than take out. This is a game changer and your family will go crazy over this rice. This classic recipe taste amazing and perfect to use day-old rice.

We recently showed you how to make this delicious Shrimp Fried Rice Recipe and everyone loved it. Another favorite around here is Chicken Fried Rice for a delicious and Easy Asian Recipes.

My favorite thing about this recipe is it can be customized to what you have on hand. This is a great recipe.

Another delicious rice side dish is Dirty Rice Recipe.

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Skip Take Out!

It is so quick and easy and everyone will love it. You will love how easy clean up is and the entire recipe is super easy. If you love to get Chinese take out as much as we do, give this recipe a try. Not only will you save money but time as well.

Since we have been making this recipe, no one even asks to get take out anymore. It is that good and everyone really enjoys it.

I think your family will love it too.

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Budget Friendly Fried Rice:

Not only is this recipe tasty but it is budget friendly too. Rice is so inexpensive and helps to stretch other more expensive ingredients you might add.

This is a basic fried rice recipe but you can easily add meat if you prefer. You can easily feed a crowd or large family on a budget with this recipe.

The flavor is amazing and each bite is loaded with amazing ingredients.

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Ingredients for Fried Rice:

  • Sesame Oil
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Cooked Rice
  • Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Frozen Peas and Diced Carrots Blend
  • Eggs
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How to Make Fried Rice:

  • Step 1 – Cook Vegetables – Grab a large skillet and pan fry the veggies in the oil until soft over high heat. Push the vegetable mixture to the side of the skillet.
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  • Step 2 – Scramble Eggs – Add the eggs and scramble eggs.
  • Step 3 – Stir in Rice – Now it is time to stir in the rice, soy sauce and other seasonings.
  • Step 4 – Combine and enjoy – Stir rice and veggie together really well and cook until the rice is heated through.

We like to top with sliced green onion but that is optional. This recipe is the best stir fry dinner.

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What is the Secret to Fried Rice?

For the best tasting rice, it is important to use leftover rice. We recommend cooking the rice the night before. Then combining with the other ingredients.

If using rice that is fresh it can become clumpy and may not combine as well. This is also a great way to use leftover shredded chicken or shredded pork.

Can you Freeze Fried Rice:

Yes, you can. This is the perfect meal to freeze and have on hand for an easy side dish or meal. Just simply put in a freeze safe container and store in the freeze.

Once we are ready to serve, thaw and reheat until warm on your stove.

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What to Serve with Fried Rice?

You can serve fried rice as the main meal or as a side to some of your favorite Chinese inspired meals. Try some of our favorites:

  • Egg Drop Soup
  • Chicken Teriyaki
  • Egg Rolls
  • Sweet and Sour Chicken
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Can you reheat Fried Rice:

Yes, you can. If we have a lot of leftover rice, I will put it back in my sauce pan and reheat. This ensure that the rice is heated thoroughly.

If you are just reheating a small portion, I put it in a Microwave Safe Dish and reheat in the microwave.

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How long does Fried Rice last?

As long as it is in an airtight container, your Fried Rice will last about 5-7 days in the refrigerator. If I am not freezing it, I will put it in individual containers. My husband loves taking the leftovers to work each day.

Fried Rice is so good leftover.

Tips for making Fried Rice:

  • Tips for Freezing Rice – You can make this recipe even easier by learninghow to freeze rice. I love to grab the rice from the freezer in the morning. When we come home it is all ready to enjoy.
  • Add in Vegetables – Sometimes we also add onion and peppers to the fried rice.One of our favorite time saving tips is to use asmall food chopper or food processor. This allows youto quickly and easily chop onions.If you do not have one of these, I highly recommend them.
  • Use Cold Rice – It is best to use cold rice. We plan ahead and when we have this recipe on the menu for the week. I make a batch of rice and place in the refrigerator. This makes this recipe even easier as you already have the rice prepared.
  • Cooked Rice – If you prepare your rice the day of cooking, simply put the cooked rice on a baking sheet. Then cover and place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
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What type of rice is used for fried rice?

Typically white rice but you can use brown rice if you prefer. We are big fans of using what we have on hand or can get on sale at the grocery store.

Rice really comes together for the best meal and takes on a variety of flavors. It is an amazing way to feed your family for less while still enjoying the best food.

Here is some other options:

  • Jasmine Rice
  • Basmati Rice
  • Long Grain Rice
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Easy Fried Rice Variations:

When making this homemade fried rice recipes the options are endless on what can be added to this recipe. Here are some of our favorites:

  • One Pot Meal – Try making Chicken Fried Ricefor a really delicious and easy one pot meal. This is a great way to use leftover chicken that you might have. We love to add in oyster sauce or hot sauce for added flavor.
  • Add in Pork – Use your leftover pork for an amazing pork fried rice.
  • Add in Steak – Steak or Ground Beef sauté in makes this recipe so good.
  • Try Shrimp – We have even added in some Shrimp. This is my sisters favorite way to eat fried rice.
  • Vegetables – If I have some vegetables that are about to go bad. I toss them in to get in some extra vegetables. My kids do not even know the difference.
  • Vegetable Fried Rice – We love to make vegetable fried rice. You can even add in broccoli, corn or green beans.
  • Skillet – You can cook this fried rice in a regular skillet. But you can also prepare in a wok over medium-high heat.
  • For another easy recipe, try this delicious 15-Minute Parmesan Couscous recipetoday.

How to Store Leftovers:

If you have leftovers store them in an air tight container and place in the fridge. They will stay good for up to 3 to 4 days and can easily be reheated in the microwave.

The Best Fried Rice Recipe:

This is my favorite fried rice recipe. Skip takeout tonight and make these delicious fried rice recipe at home. Add in bell pepper, cloves garlic and more to make this fried rice recipe your own.

Feel free to add in chicken, shrimp, or steak for an easy one pot meal. Fried rice ingredients can easily be changed to what you have and a great way to use leftover rice.

This Easy Fried Rice recipe is even better than your local Chinese restaurant recipe.

Print this Easy Fried Rice recipe below:

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Review

Pin Print

Easy Fried Rice Recipe

4.97 from 53 votes

Enjoy this easy Fried Rice Recipe in less than 10 minutes making it perfect for busy weeknights. Make this rice in less time than it takes to get take out.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 6

Cuisine Chinese

Course Main Course

Calories 268

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 cups cooked rice cooled
  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas and diced carrots blend
  • 3 larges eggs light beaten

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, pan fry the carrots and the peas in the skillet with the sesame oil and vegetable oil for about 3-5 minutes or until soft.

  • Slide the vegetables to the side and pour in the eggs.

  • Scramble the eggs.

  • Then stir in the rice, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

  • Stir for a few minutes until rice is heated through and sauce is mixed through.

  • Top with sliced green onions.

Recipe Notes

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 268kcal, Carbohydrates 33g, Protein 7g, Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat 5g, Monounsaturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0.04g, Cholesterol 82mg, Sodium 747mg, Potassium 136mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 0.3g, Vitamin A 2337IU, Vitamin C 3mg, Calcium 33mg, Iron 1mg

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Try these other delicious Chinese recipes:

  • Crock Pot Southwest Egg Roll in a Bowl
  • Pineapple chicken
  • Crock Pot Chicken Lo Mein Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Pepper Steak Recipe
  • Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Asian Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps
  • Egg Roll in a Bowl

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About the Author

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Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Easy Fried Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in Chinese fried rice? ›

Here's what goes in Fried Rice Sauce: Chinese cooking wine or Mirin (secret ingredient!) – this is the secret to a really great fried rice that truly stacks up to your favourite Chinese restaurant.

What gives restaurant fried rice its flavor? ›

Signature flavor

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

How to make fried rice in 5 steps? ›

How Do You Make Simple Fried Rice?
  1. Heat your wok or skillet to medium-high heat. Pour in the oil. ...
  2. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs then mix them with the veggies.
  3. Finally, stir in the rice and a bit of soy sauce. Serve warm and refrigerate leftovers.
Apr 22, 2022

Which spice is good for fried rice? ›

The Perfect Nigerian Fried Rice
  • 2 bay leaves.
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
  • 2 Tasty Cubes.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper (substitute other ground pepper)
  • 2 teaspoon curry powder (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme.

What is the difference between fried rice and Chinese fried rice? ›

In Fried Rice, most quick-service restaurants (QSRs) use long-grain white rice like Basmati, whereas Jasmine Rice is used in Chinese Rice. If you love rice unconditionally, you should definitely try out Fried Rice varieties (available in veg & no-veg) from Hong's Kitchen.

What can I use instead of soy sauce for fried rice? ›

7 Soy Sauce Substitutes That Are As Good As the Real Thing
  • Tamari.
  • Coconut Aminos.
  • Fish Sauce.
  • Miso Paste.
  • Balsamic Vinegar.
  • Worcestershire Sauce.
  • Oyster Sauce.
Jun 6, 2023

Why does Chinese fried rice taste different? ›

The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

How to make fried rice like a pro? ›

Key sauces to add to the rice are soya sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil (as flavouring) and white/black pepper. Stir fry until the sauces are all well incorporated into the rice. Add the scrambled eggs and other ingredients into the rice and toss it to mix.

Do Chinese restaurants use butter in fried rice? ›

That's one of the major differences between how Chinese and Japanese restaurants prepare fried rice. Whereas the former only uses oil, the latter cooks leftover grains with butter (plus soy sauce).

Why does homemade fried rice not taste like restaurant? ›

You're using too many ingredients

Traditionally, fried rice is a simple dish that spotlights the grain itself. To facilitate this, most restaurants add only a few other ingredients to the dish.

Why do you put sugar in fried rice? ›

This is because the sugar caramelizes the rice, which gives it that light hue you often find on fried rice made in restaurants. Sugar will also offer a nice contrast to the saltiness in your homemade fried rice, which helps replicate the flavor of takeout.

How do you make fried rice not taste bland? ›

There are a few different seasonings that make fried rice taste just right. The most important sauces to add are soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce in fried rice. All three add unique flavors to rice, but it can be easy to go overboard. Make sure you add small amounts of each and regularly taste the rice.

How do you keep fried rice from getting mushy? ›

High Heat is Key: Cook the rice over high heat, as in the P.F. Chang's Chicken Fried Rice (Copycat Recipe). High heat allows for quick evaporation of excess moisture, keeping the rice grains separate and preventing sogginess.

Why is my fried rice always mushy? ›

The most common reason(s) I've seen when fried rice turns out “mushy” is that when you cook the rice before frying it, the rice is not allowed to cook until all the cooking liquid doesn't steam away from the pan you cook it in.

What oil is best for cooking fried rice? ›

It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish. Peanut oil. this is another ingredient that adds authentic flavor to this recipe, but if you have a peanut allergy in your household you can substitute canola oil or additional sesame oil for the peanut oil.

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