Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Skip the takeout and make this easy fried rice recipe instead. It comes together in under 30 minutes using fresh ingredients, and it's cheaper to make at home than to buy it from a restaurant. It's a family favorite at my house!
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Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Busy evenings mean that sometimes we have to resort to takeout. But honestly, I don't love spending extra money on something that I can make myself, and I know there aren't many places to eat out that actually serve healthy dishes.
When we have an exceptionally busy weeknight at our house, I look for quick ways to make an easy dinner that everyone will enjoy. Hands down, this egg fried rice always hits the spot!
This fried rice makes a great meal train side dish, too. It goes with so much more than Asian-inspired food. Oven Roasted Chicken, Teriyaki Glazed Salmon, or even Cast Iron Skillet Steak would all go great with this fried rice. It reheats easily and everyone always loves it, which makes it perfect to bring to a friend in need.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Here are just a few of the reasons why this recipe is worth making:
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.
It's also a great way to use up leftover cold rice before it goes bad. Repurposing leftovers is one of my favorite things to do!
And good fried rice doesn't have to take forever to make. Whip up this recipe in under half an hour. Serve it as a main dish or a side dish, and customize it however you like!
Ingredients
Start with avocado oil if you can. I just think it tastes so much better and makes the dish far less greasy. If you don't have it on hand, any other neutral flavored oil like olive oil works great too.
For the soy sauce, a low-sodium version gives you more control over the saltiness. If you need this dish to be gluten free, look for gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos instead.
I recommend using cooked plain white rice that has been sitting in the fridge overnight. Day-old rice holds up much better in the pan without getting mushy or clumping together. Brown rice or another variety like orange rice also works if you're feeling fancy!
Feel free to use frozen carrots and peas instead of fresh vegetables if that's what you have on hand.
How to Make Fried Rice
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
Jump to RecipeYou'll have dinner on the table in no time! Here's how to put it all together:
- Heat your oil in a large skillet or wok. Once it's hot, add the diced carrots and onions and cook until softened. You'll know they're ready when the onions turn translucent. Add the minced garlic and frozen peas and cook until the garlic is fragrant, then push the vegetables to one side of the pan and crack your eggs in on the other side.
- Scramble the eggs until cooked through, then stir everything together so the eggs mix in with the veggies. Be sure the eggs are fully cooked before you add the rice.
- Add the cold rice to the pan right on top of the vegetable and egg mixture
- Stir everything together until the rice is well combined with the vegetables and eggs. Then add the soy sauce, a little at a time, tasting as you go.
- Once everything is heated through and seasoned the way you like it, scoop the fried rice into a serving bowl.
- Dish it up into individual bowls and garnish with extra green onions. Grab your chopsticks or a fork and dig in!
Madison's Tips for Success:
I've tested this recipe and have successfully made it many times. Use my tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly for you, too!
- Use cooked white rice that has been chilled in the fridge. The day-old rice from last night's dinner is exactly what you want for making the best fried rice!
- Have all of your fresh veggies chopped and ready to go so 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, but 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 really affect the flavor of the dish.
- Make sure you are using plenty of oil and use a wooden spoon to continuously stir so that the rice doesn't stick.
This fried rice is delicious on its own, but it also makes a great side dish. Try serving it alongside beef and broccoli stir fry or ground turkey stir fry for a full takeout-style meal at home.
Recipe FAQs
Anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce is usually perfect! Keep in mind, you can always add more, but once it's there, you can't remove it. 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 saltiness. You can also just add some more unseasoned cooked rice if you have it and then let the dish heat through again.
Allow the fried rice to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. For best results, reheat on the stovetop with a bit of oil, or pop it in the microwave.
Did you make this recipe?
If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Easy Fried Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 carrot peeled and diced
- ½ medium yellow onion peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce use more/less to your taste
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pan or wok, heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil over medium heat.
- Once hot, add diced 1 carrot, and ½ medium yellow onion in the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes or until softened.
- Add minced 2 cloves garlic, and ¼ cup frozen peas, and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Push the vegetables to one side of the pan, and crack 2 large eggs on the other side. Scramble in the pan until cooked through, and mix with the vegetables.
- Add 2 cups cooked white rice in the pan, and stir to combine with the vegetables. Add 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce and garnish with 2 tablespoons sliced green onions (if desired).
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
Other Asian-Inspired Recipes
I'll teach you how to make simple from-scratch recipes, like seasonings, sauces, dinners and even desserts, that make cooking from home less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
My recipes have been featured on publications like South Your Mouth, Fun.com, Her Campus, Mental Floss, and the TastingTable.
Such a great way to enjoy that take-out style fried rice at home!