A bowl of quick and easy fried rice is an absolute treat for lunch or dinner. It uses one pan and gets ready in less than 15 minutes. You can also use fresh or frozen vegetables and ready-to-use Asian sauces.
Table of Content
When I lived in Singapore, I had the opportunity to feast on so many different types of rice. In fact, I didn't know there were so many variations! My favorites of course were Cantonese, Singaporean, and Schecuwaan.
Why make this fried rice?
- It's so easy, quick and simple to make.
- You can use all the leftover white rice in the fridge. In fact, I always make extra white steamed rice so I can use leftovers to make fried rice.
- Make it your own - It can be prepared with whatever you have on hand. Such as cooked veggies other than carrots and peas. It is a kids favorite recipe so add lots of extra veggies.
- Most of the ingredients for the sauces are pantry staples if you cook Asian food often.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Rice - You can use white or brown rice. I have tried both and the brown was so delish too! The best rice to use is day old rice thats been cooked and chilled well. Once chilled, the rice becomes stable so it won't get mushy or soggy.
- Fat - Since, fried rice is cooked on high heat it is best to use oil like canola, peanut or sunflower oil. Of course, the butter is flavor you do not want to omit.
- Vegetables - This choice of veggies is optional. I've also used broccoli and cauliflower. Just make sure you cook all the veggies to tender before you add the eggs or the rice.
- Cooked meats - I use my kids' favorite or whatever I have on hand. Sometimes, its chopped cooked chicken, sliced meats, sausages.
- Herbs - Chinese parsley would be ideal, but our favorite is cilantro or parsley.
Step by step instructions
- In a wok or skillet, over medium-high heat, add the oil, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 30 seconds then add the onions and saute until translucent.
- Next, add the chopped carrots and green peas. Cook until the carrots and green peas are almost cooked.
Pro tip - Make sure the carrots and peas are tender before you add the remaining ingredients. Otherwise, you will overcook the rice.
- Move the veggies towards the sides in the pan making space in the center. Add the butter and break the eggs, scramble them in the center until almost set. Then, mix the eggs with the veggies.
- Next, add the sauces (soy, oyster, ketchup, chili sauce, and sesame oil). Season with salt and pepper.
Pro tip - Turn the heat to medium so you do not overcook the eggs.
- Next, add the chopped cooked meat, cooked rice, and cilantro. Toss everything well together on high heat with a flat spatula until everything is well combined.
Pro tip - You want the sauce to coat the rice and get slightly colored. So, make sure to combine well. It is ok for the rice to get a slightly toasted appearance. - Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt and pepper or soy sauce as per your taste. Garnish with green onions or more fresh cilantro or parsley.
More rice recipes
- Chicken with Rice Pilaf or classic Rice Pilaf
- Cajun Chicken with Rice
- Turmeric Rice with Chicken and Peas
- Coconut Turmeric Rice
- Quick One-Pot Vegetable Rice
- Turmeric Cauliflower Rice Pilaf or Mustard Dill Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
- See all rice recipes
Frequently asked questions
How long will this fried rice keep?
Fried rice will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can even freeze it for up to a month.
What is the secret to good fried rice?
The secret to making the best ever fried rice, is to use pre-cooked chilled rice. When chilled the rice does not steam easily and therefore does not become very soggy. It also gets nice and toasty when cooked on high heat giving you that nice fired rather than steamed flavor.
What is the best oil for making fried rice?
The best oil to use is oil that has a high smoking point such as canola, sunflower, peanut, grapeseed, coconut, or sesame seeds. Do not use olive oil as it does not have a high smoking point. Most restaurants use peanut oil in their fried rice.
What rice is best for fried rice?
I like to use Jasmine rice. You can use both short or long grain, though the long grain looks more aesthetic.
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Printable Recipe
BEST Fried Rice Recipe
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 460kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 4 servings
Description
A bowl of quick and easy fried rice is an absolute treat for lunch or dinner. It uses one pan and gets ready in less than 15 minutes. You can also use fresh or frozen vegetables and ready-to-use Asian sauces.
Video
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Ingredients
- 4 cups (800 g) Rice, cooked and chilled ((1 cup raw rice cooked and chilled overnight) )
- 2 tablespoon Canola oil
- 2 tablespoon Butter (unsalted,)
- 1 tablespoon Garlic (chopped finely)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger (chopped finely)
- ½ cup Onions (diced)
- ½ cup (60 g) Carrots (diced into ¼ inch cubes)
- ½ cup (75 g) Green peas
- ½ cup (120 g) Cooked meat (sliced, chicken, sausages, or sliced meat)
- 2 Eggs
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro or parsley (chopped)
- 4 tablespoon Green onions (Chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt ((use less if using regular soy sauce) )
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce ((low sodium))
- 2 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon Chily sauce
- 1 tablespoon Ketchup (optional)
Instructions
- In a wok or skillet, over medium-high heat, add the oil, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 30 seconds then add the onions and saute until translucent. Next, add the chopped carrots and green peas. Cook until the carrots and green peas are almost cooked. Pro tip - Make sure the carrots and peas are tender before you add the remaining ingredients. Otherwise, you will overcook the rice.
- Move the veggies towards the sides in the pan making space in the center. Add the butter and break the eggs, scramble them in the center until almost set. Then, mix the eggs with the veggies.
- Next, add the sauces (soy, oyster, ketchup, chili sauce, and sesame oil). Season with salt and pepper. Pro tip - Turn the heat to medium so you do not overcook the eggs.
- Next, add the chopped cooked meat, cooked rice, and cilantro. Toss everything well together on high heat with a flat spatula until everything is well combined.Pro tip - You want the sauce to coat the rice and get slightly colored. So, make sure to combine well. It is ok for the rice to get a slightly toasted appearance.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt and pepper or soy sauce as per your taste. Garnish with green onions or more fresh cilantro or parsley.
Recipe Notes & Tips
Tips for making fried rice
- Use cold rice - The most important thing about fried rice is to ensure you cook the rice ahead of time. Leftover steamed rice from the previous day works best.
Pro tip - If you forget to prepare the rice a day in advance, just spread the hot rice on a large plate and into the fridge. The fridge will help air dry it quicker. - Butter and oil - Butter adds a nice rich flavor so don't omit it. Sesame oil adds that aromatic Asian fried rice flavor too.
- Veggies - make sure the veggies are cooked before you add the rice otherwise the rice will overcook while trying to cook the veggies. You can also use precooked veggies. In fact, you can use small diced precooked broccoli and cauliflower too!
- Fried rice is like cooking stir fry so make sure to use high heat when necessary. The high heat will prevent the rice from steaming and becoming soggy.
- When cooking let the rice get a little toasty, a few brown bits are delicious.
- Taste and adjust seasoning to make it your own. Add more soy sauce, oyster or even Siracha if you like.
Variation for fried rice
- Vegetable fried rice - Add more veggies and saute them with some extra ginger and garlic before you add the rest of the ingredients.
- Chicken fried rice - you can use leftover cooked diced chicken to the fired rice or you can add small diced uncooked chicken breast with the carrots and peas. Cook until tender then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Beef fried rice - saute chopped beef steak with carrots and peas. Cook until tender then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Pork fried rice - Add small diced pork chops and saute with carrots and peas. Cook until tender then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Pineapple fried rice - Add 1 cup diced fresh pineapple along with the rice and toss to combine.
- Schecuwaan fired rice - Add up to 2 tablespoon spicy schecuwaan sauce along with the other sauces
- Kimchi fried rice - add chopped kimchi along with the rice. Toss to combine.
- Brown fired rice - use precooked and cooled brown instead of white rice.
- Quinoa fried rice - use cooked quinoa instead of white rice in this recipe
- Cauliflower fried rice - use cauliflower rice instead of white rice in this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 164- gCalories: 460- kcalCarbohydrates: 83- gProtein: 12.3- gFat: 7.7- gSaturated Fat: 1.4- gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6.3- gMonounsaturated Fat: 0- gTrans Fat: 0- gCholesterol: 56- mgSodium: 257- mgPotassium: 0- mgFiber: 3.7- gSugar: 1.4- gVitamin A: 0- IUVitamin C: 0- mgCalcium: 0- mgIron: 0- mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Toni
Such a delicious fried rice recipe! Everyone at my house enjoyed it!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Toni. Happy you enjoyed this rice.
Savita
A bowl of a quick and easy meal.
Claudia Lamascolo
I loved the ease of this recipe and it was super delicious even the grand kids had a second helping!
Danielle Wolter
This fried rice sounds amazing! Loving all the flavors you are using. Can't wait to try it!
Dannii
This looks so delicious and comforting. I am going to make it to go with some grilled salmon.