Fried Rice
Skip the take-out and make this incredible homemade fried rice instead. This simple recipe makes for a great dinner or even a quick lunch. It's loaded with flavor and is super easy to make!
Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Busy evenings mean that sometimes we have to resort to take-out. But honestly, I don't love spending extra money on something that I can make myself and I know there not many places to eat out that are actually good for you.
So when we have an exceptionally busy weeknight, I'm always looking for quick ways to make an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy. This recipe for amazing fried rice always hits the spot! It's become one of our favorite go-to recipes since the entire family likes it.
Stir fries are extremely simple to throw together, so I figured why not try my hand at some tasty fried rice too. This basic recipe can be customized any way you want! Add chicken, pork, shrimp, or even beef.
This dinner has quickly become one of my absolute favorites to make. Especially because the leftovers reheat so well too! I love to heat up the extra for lunch the next day.
So skip out on the restaurants the next time you're busy, and throw together you own version of that delicious fried rice everyone knows and loves. The whole family will enjoy it!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Asian inspired dishes can seem a little daunting to make, but fried rice is a great place to start. There aren't many steps or complicated ingredients, so you'll love how simple it is to make:
- This is the perfect way to use up leftover cold rice before it goes bad. You can also add meat to this recipe and use up some leftover chicken! Repurposing leftovers is one of my favorite things to do.
- Good fried rice doesn't have to take forever to make. Whip up this recipe in under a half hour. It really is that easy!
- Serve fried rice as a main dish or a side dish. It's versatile and easily customizable.
Ingredients
My secret ingredient to making the best fried rice is avocado oil. I just think it tastes so much bet and makes the dish far less greasy. Here's a list of everything else you will need to grab at the grocery store make this meal:
- cooked white rice
- diced carrot
- diced yellow onion
- frozen peas
- avocado oil
- minced garlic cloves
- eggs
- soy sauce
- sliced green onions
Substitutions and Variations
Control the sodium level with a low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. If you want this dish to be gluten free then make sure you have gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos.
Feel free to use frozen carrots and onions instead of fresh vegetables.
Don't have avocado oil? You can use any other neutral flavored oil, like olive oil.
I recommend using cooked plain white rice in this recipe, but you can use brown rice or another type if you prefer.
How to Make Fried Rice
You'll have dinner on the table in no time! Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the best fried rice recipe ever:
Heat oil over medium heat in a large pan or wok. Once the oil is hot, add the diced carrots and onions and cook for 5 minutes or until softened.
Add the minced garlic, frozen peas, to the large skillet and cook until the garlic is fragrant. This should take about 30 seconds. Scramble them in the pan until cooked through and then mix in with the veggies.
Add the leftover cold rice to the pan and stir to combine with the vegetables. Then add the soy sauce to taste, stir well, and top with sliced green onions.
Serve and enjoy!
How to Store Leftover Fried Rice
Allow fried rice to cool completely and transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and use within 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before reheating.
For best results, reheat on the stovetop with a bit of oil. You can also pop leftovers into the microwave.
What to Serve with Fried Rice
Serve this yummy dish with delicious sides like egg rolls, or simply eat it all on it's own! It would also be tasty to add extra veggies like steamed broccoli into the mix.
A fresh fruit salad could be a nice side dish with this easy meal too. Or up that veggie intake with a side like roasted broccolini.
Plain fried rice would be a tasty base to serve beef and broccoli stir fry on too!
Tips for Success
Check out these tips and tricks so that you fried rice turns out extra tasty:
- It is best to use leftover white rice that has been sitting in the fridge. So that day-old rice leftover from dinner is just the thing to make the best fried rice!
- Have all of your fresh veggies chopped and ready to go so that you can throw everything in the pan quickly. A little planning and prepping will definitely help the cooking process go smoothly.
- Feel free to add extra seasonings if need be! However, I recommend waiting to add salt until you have added all the soy sauce you want. Soy sauce is pretty salty, so if you add salt prematurely it could ruin the dish
- Make sure that you are cooking over a medium-high heat and using plenty of oil. Fresh rice will stick easily to the bottom of the pan if it is not at the right temperature with plenty of oil. Use a wooden spoon to continuously stir so that the rice doesn't stick.
FAQ
Anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce would be great! Keep in mind, you can always add more. So start with less and then add bit by bit until the flavor reaches the level you want it to be.
Mixing a bit of sugar into your fried rice can help cut through the salt content. You can also just add some extra rice if you have it and then let the dish heat through again.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
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Fried Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 carrot peeled, and diced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce to taste
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large pan or wok, heat oil over medium heat.
- Once hot, add diced carrots, and onions in the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add minced garlic, and peas, and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, and crack the eggs on the other side. Scramble in the pan until cooked through, and mix with the vegetables.
- Add rice in the pan, and stir to combine with the vegetables. Add soy sauce to taste and top with sliced green onions.
