Easy Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice is the ultimate family-friendly dish that offers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Packed with sauted vegetables, scrambled eggs, and savory seasonings, this recipe is a surefire hit for dinner. In just 20 minutes, you can recreate a delicious takeout favorite at home, and over a thousand home cooks agree this simple, flavorful dish is a winner.

If you don't have a wok, no worries! There are several ways to make fried rice at home, whether you prefer a griddle, a skillet, or even an Instant Pot. Keep reading to find out how to perfect your fried rice, no matter your equipment.

What Is Fried Rice?

Fried rice is a classic Chinese dish made by stir-frying cooked rice, vegetables, protein, soy sauce, and aromatics like garlic and ginger in a large pan or wok. Its a fantastic way to use leftover rice, and the best part is that it's easily customizable. Whether you have vegetables, chicken, shrimp, or just some eggs, fried rice can be tailored to what you have on hand.

How to Make Fried Rice

Making fried rice is incredibly easy with the following recipe. The steps are straightforward: preheat your pan, add oil and aromatics, then cook any proteins before adding rice and veggies. Toss everything together, and you'll have golden-brown, crispy rice in no time.

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

If you dont have leftover rice, make it fresh by combining 4 cups of water and 2 cups of white rice in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. For the best results, refrigerate the rice for at least 8 hours (or overnight) before using it in your fried rice recipe.

Step 2: Cook the Vegetables

Place chopped baby carrots in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a low boil and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add frozen peas and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Drain the vegetables in a colander and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Pan

Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the pan. Add the cooked carrots, peas, and minced garlic. Saut for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Step 4: Scramble the Eggs

Push the vegetables to the side of the pan and crack 2 large eggs into the empty space. Scramble the eggs quickly, mixing them with the vegetables until fully cooked.

Step 5: Add the Rice

Now, add 3 cups of chilled, leftover rice to the pan. Toss the ingredients together, ensuring that the rice gets evenly coated with oil and mixed with the veggies and eggs. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the rice starts to turn golden brown.

Step 6: Season the Rice

Pour 1 tablespoon of soy sauce over the rice, stirring well to coat all the grains. Add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil for extra flavor and toss the rice again to mix everything together.

Step 7: Serve

Once everything is combined and heated through, remove from the pan and serve hot. Enjoy your homemade fried rice!

Best Methods for Cooking Fried Rice

Wok

The wok is the traditional choice for making fried rice. Its large, high sides allow for tossing the rice and other ingredients with ease. Heat the wok until its very hot, then add oil and cook your ingredients at high heat to achieve that crispy, toasty flavor.

Standard Pan

If you don't have a wok, a large frying pan or skillet works just fine. Use high heat to get the rice crispy, and make sure to use the largest pan available to prevent ingredients from spilling over the sides.

Griddle

A griddle is an excellent tool for cooking fried rice if you want to cook multiple elements at once. Begin by sauting the vegetables and garlic in one section, and cook the rice and scrambled eggs in separate areas of the griddle for a well-organized meal.

Instant Pot

The Instant Pot can also be used to make fried rice. Use the saut mode to cook the garlic, then stir in the rice, vegetables, and eggs. This method is quick and easy, and youll have flavorful fried rice ready in minutes.

Variations of Fried Rice

One of the best aspects of fried rice is its versatility. You can add or subtract ingredients to suit your taste. Try adding chicken, shrimp, or even kimchi for a unique twist. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover, there's always room for creativity in fried rice.

Ingredients

• cup chopped baby carrots
• cup frozen green peas
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups leftover cooked and chilled white rice
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or more to taste)
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil (or more to taste)

Directions

1. Assemble all the ingredients and prepare the vegetables as instructed.
2. Heat the wok or skillet over high heat. Add oil and saut the carrots, peas, and garlic for about 30 seconds.
3. Push the vegetables to the side and scramble the eggs in the same pan until fully cooked.
4. Add the rice to the pan, stirring well to coat it with the oil and mix with the eggs and vegetables.
5. Pour in the soy sauce and toss to combine. Drizzle with sesame oil and toss again.
6. Serve the fried rice hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Each serving (out of 8 servings) contains:

• Calories: 152
• Fat: 7g (8% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 1g (6% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 47mg (16% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 150mg (7% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrate: 19g (7% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% Daily Value)
• Protein: 4g (8% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 2mg (2% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 19mg (1% Daily Value)
• Iron: 1mg (7% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 82mg (2% Daily Value)