Easy Fried Rice Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Fried Rice Recipe

Say goodbye to takeout and get ready to grab your skillet or wok – it’s time to master the art of making the best fried rice!

1. Speedy Satisfaction: Embracing this straightforward method not only results in mouthwatering goodness but also introduces a quick and flavorsome addition to your weeknight dinner repertoire.
2. Simple Ingredients: Whip up this straightforward recipe with ingredients you might already have at home.
3. Endlessly Versatile: Raid your kitchen for any available veggies, whether they’re frozen or conveniently pre-chopped. Or experiment with any additions, like chicken or shrimp.
4. Authentic Flavor: With a handful of simple tricks (like using chilled rice and a touch of butter), you can craft restaurant-quality fried rice from scratch.
5. Leftovers Welcome: Once you get the hang of it, you might as well double the batch. It makes for the perfect lunch and tastes even better when reheated.
6. One-Pan Wonder: The beauty of this fried rice lies in its one-pan preparation, which translates to less cleanup!

The Best Rice for Fried Rice

When it comes to making easy fried rice, long grain rice takes the crown. Its lower starch content makes it the go-to choice, ensuring your rice turns out soft and fluffy every single time. Long grain varieties like fragrant Jasmine, Basmati or American long-grain rice are top picks, they cook up separate. However, you can venture with other options like short grain, or even brown rice if that’s what you have on hand.

But here’s the golden rule: Use cold rice! Planning ahead is key, opt for day-old cooked rice that’s been chilled. Freshly cooked, warm rice won’t fare well in a sizzling hot pan, leading to a mushy, sticky mess. This little trick helps prevent clumping and ensures your rice stays separate and firm. While it doesn’t have to be icy cold, having day-old rice on standby is a game-changer. Even leftover refrigerated rice works like a charm.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Oil: Used for frying the eggs and veggies. Any vegetable oil works.
• Butter: The flavor enhancer you don’t want to skip.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds a savory, slightly sweet, and salty kick.
• Soy Sauce: Your trusty sidekick. Opt for low-sodium, or dilute dark or light soy sauce with water. Use tamari for a gluten-free alternative.
• Mirin: Ties flavors together. Substitute with Chinese cooking wine or sherry if needed.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: Essential for that authentic, nutty flair.
• Salt and White Pepper: For an extra flavor boost.

• Rice: Use a day old cooked rice or leftover long grain rice, like Jasmine, Basmati or American long-grain. You can also use parboiled rice. Using a long grain rice will produce the best results and is most commonly used. It cooks up separate and does not clump together.
• Eggs: A typical ingredient in a fried rice recipe, which add great flavor, texture and protein. You can omit and substitute for tofu if you are allergic to eggs or simply not a fan.
• Vegetables: Bell pepper (use any color), carrots, scallions and frozen peas. You can swap for any veggies you have on hand like celery, mushrooms, snow peas, cabbage, bok choy, bamboo shoots or bean sprouts. You can also use a bag of (frozen) pre-chopped veggies.
• Garlic and Onion: Essential ingredients to boost the flavor.

Recipe Tips

• Small, Even Cuts: To ensure each bite is packed with all the flavors, finely dice your veggies. Think of them as being no bigger than a few grains of rice.
• Choose the Right Pan: Opt for a wide, nonstick, thin-bottomed skillet or a trusty wok. This prevents rice from sticking and promotes even cooking.
• Crank Up the Heat: Use high heat to get that sizzling stir-fry action going. High heat helps to fry the rice and veggies without steaming them.
• Get Creative: Feel free to experiment with leftover ingredients you have on hand. Classic add-ins include chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, bacon, ham, pineapple, or kimchi.

Storage and Leftovers Tips

• How long does fried rice last? After you made your delicious fried rice, store it in airtight containers in the fridge. When properly stored, fried rice typically stays fresh for up to 4 days.
• Can you reheat fried rice? Absolutely! It’s smart to double the recipe for leftovers. Reheat it either on the stovetop or in the microwave, but avoid reheating fried rice more than once for the best taste and texture.
• Can you freeze fried rice? No problem! Freeze your cooked fried rice in airtight containers or ziplock bags. It remains tasty for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, the microwave works like a charm for reheating.

What to Serve with Fried Rice?

Looking for inspiration? Some of my favorite recipes to serve with fried rice:

• Spicy Chicken Zucchini Stir-Fry
• Fiery Scallion Beef
• Creamy Sweet Chili Chicken Meatballs
• Cajun Bang Bang Salmon Bowls
• Chili Garlic Chicken