Sizzling Homemade Fried Rice Recipe: A Flavorful Family Hit

Cooking weekend comfort meals becomes a delightful adventure with this incredible fried rice.

Home chefs love mastering simple techniques that deliver maximum flavor.

Fragrant jasmine rice transforms into a spectacular plate of deliciousness with minimal effort.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating magical combinations that surprise and delight.

Crispy vegetables and tender protein provide perfect texture contrasts in every satisfying bite.

Seasoned cooks and kitchen beginners can nail this classic dish without stress.

Let you embrace culinary creativity and make something truly spectacular tonight.

Fried Rice Questions, Solved

• Why use day-old rice for fried rice?

Day-old rice has less moisture, which prevents the rice from becoming soggy and helps achieve that perfect crispy texture when stir-frying. Freshly cooked rice contains more water and can make your fried rice mushy.

• Can I use different types of rice?

Yes, you can use various rice types like jasmine, basmati, or long-grain white rice. Just ensure the rice is cold and slightly dried out before frying to get the best results.

• How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?

Use a non-stick skillet or wok, and make sure it’s hot before adding rice. Stir-fry continuously and use enough oil to create a barrier between the rice and the pan. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet also helps prevent sticking.

• What proteins work best in fried rice?

Chicken, shrimp, beef, and tofu are excellent protein choices. Use cooked and diced proteins that can be easily heated through during the stir-frying process.

Why Fried Rice Deserves a Place in Your Weekly Meals

• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, using leftover vegetables, or adjusting seasonings to match your taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
• Transform simple, inexpensive ingredients like day-old rice, frozen vegetables, and basic proteins into a restaurant-quality dish that feeds multiple people without breaking the bank.
• Pack your meal with protein from eggs and optional meats, plus a variety of vegetables, creating a balanced one-pan dinner that's both satisfying and wholesome.

What Goes into a Great Fried Rice

Main Ingredients:

• Long Grain White Rice: The star of the dish, best when cold and day-old for perfect texture and minimal stickiness.
• Jasmine Rice, Basmati Rice: Alternative rice options with similar characteristics.

• Eggs: Provides protein and richness, scrambled for soft, fluffy texture.
• Chicken, Shrimp, Tofu: Optional protein sources that add substantial flavor and nutrition.

• Mixed Vegetables, Frozen Vegetable Mix, Peas, Carrots: Add color, nutrition, and balanced texture to the fried rice.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that offers a sharp, bright flavor and crisp finish.

• Soy Sauce: Provides umami and salty depth to the entire dish.
• Oyster Sauce: Adds rich, savory complexity to the overall flavor profile.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for even heat distribution and preventing sticking.
• Sesame Oil: Optional aromatic finish that adds nutty, toasted undertones.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings for final flavor adjustment.
• Garlic: Optional aromatic that brings depth and traditional Asian cuisine character.

Cooking Fried Rice Like a Restaurant

Step 1: Prepare Rice Base

Select cold, leftover rice from previous day. Spread rice on flat surface to ensure dryness and prevent clumping during cooking. Ideal rice texture should be slightly separated and not sticky.

Step 2: Scramble Fluffy Eggs

Heat wok or large skillet with vegetable oil over medium flame. Crack eggs into bowl, whisk until smooth and pale yellow. Pour eggs into hot pan, gently move with spatula creating soft, light scrambled eggs. Transfer eggs to separate plate.

Step 3: Sauté Vibrant Vegetables

• Diced carrots
• Frozen peas
• Sliced onions
• Minced garlic

Cook vegetables until tender and slightly caramelized, approximately 3-4 minutes. Stir continuously to prevent burning.

Step 4: Introduce Protein Elements

• Diced chicken
• Chopped shrimp
• Sliced beef
• Cubed tofu

Cook protein until heated through and slightly golden around edges.

Step 5: Integrate Rice Mixture

Push vegetables and protein to side of pan. Add rice directly into center, creating sizzling sound. Stir-fry rice, breaking potential clumps with spatula. Mix ingredients thoroughly.

Step 6: Season and Enhance Flavors

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil

Toss ingredients until evenly coated. Reintroduce scrambled eggs, mix gently.

Step 7: Final Garnish

Sprinkle chopped green onions across top. Optional: Add sesame seeds or additional soy sauce according to personal preference. Serve immediately while hot and aromatic.

Insider Tips to Better Fried Rice

• Rescue Stale Rice: Transform day-old refrigerated rice into perfectly textured fried rice by letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking, which helps separate the grains.
• Control Oil Temperature: Use a high-heat cooking oil like vegetable or peanut oil and ensure your wok or skillet is hot enough to create a delicious crispy texture without making the rice greasy.
• Prevent Soggy Outcome: Keep vegetables crisp by stir-frying them separately and adding protein quickly to maintain their texture and prevent moisture from making the rice mushy.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap proteins easily by using chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef- just ensure they're pre-cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces for even distribution.
• Boost Flavor Complexity: Enhance the dish's depth by adding a small amount of sesame oil at the end or incorporating a dash of white pepper for an authentic Asian restaurant-style taste.

How to Keep Fried Rice Tasting Fresh

• Store leftover fried rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled fried rice to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 1 month, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Revive cold rice in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or oil to prevent drying. Stir frequently until heated thoroughly and rice regains its original texture.
• Place rice in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water, and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

Dishes That Go Well with Fried Rice

• Riesling's crisp acidity beautifully balances the rich, salty flavors of fried rice, cutting through the dish's umami complexity with bright, refreshing notes.
• Grilled chicken skewers with a light teriyaki glaze provide a perfect protein partner, echoing the Asian-inspired seasonings while adding a smoky char contrast.
• Cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing offers a cool, crunchy counterpoint to the warm, soft fried rice, creating a delightful textural interplay on the palate.
• Asian-style lager beer, like Tsingtao or Sapporo, delivers a clean, crisp finish that refreshes the palate between bites of the rich, savory fried rice.

Ways to Put a Spin on Fried Rice

• Vegetarian Fried Rice: Replace protein with tofu, tempeh, or plant-based meat alternatives. Use extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and edamame for added nutrition and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially if using pre-cooked proteins or seasonings.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Version: Substitute regular rice with riced cauliflower. Maintain the same cooking technique, adjusting cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking the cauliflower.
• Protein-Packed Quinoa Adaptation: Replace rice with quinoa for a protein-rich alternative. Cook quinoa separately and follow the same stir-frying method as the original recipe.

Fried Rice Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Comforting Chinese Fried Rice delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with each savory bite. Sizzling vegetables, tender protein, and perfectly seasoned rice blend into a delicious meal that brings restaurant-quality excitement directly to your kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked and cooled rice
• 1 cup mixed vegetables
• 1 cup cooked protein

Protein and Eggs:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 green onions, chopped

Seasonings and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Select cold, previously prepared rice to ensure optimal texture and prevent clumping during cooking. Spread freshly cooked rice on a flat surface to cool and release excess moisture.
2. Warm a spacious skillet or wok and introduce a light coating of oil. Gently whisk eggs and pour into the heated surface, creating soft, delicate scrambled curds. Transfer the cooked eggs to a separate plate.
3. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add another portion of oil. Introduce diced vegetables, sautéing until they reach a vibrant, tender consistency. Incorporate minced garlic during the final moments to release its aromatic essence.
4. If utilizing pre-cooked protein, integrate it into the vegetable mixture, allowing it to warm thoroughly.
5. Create space in the skillet and deposit the prepared rice. Vigorously stir-fry, breaking apart any remaining clusters and ensuring each grain becomes golden and slightly crisp.
6. Enhance the dish by drizzling soy sauce and optional oyster sauce across the rice. Thoroughly combine all ingredients, guaranteeing even seasoning distribution.
7. Reintroduce the scrambled eggs and sprinkle chopped green onions throughout the mixture. Taste and calibrate seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or soy sauce as needed.
8. Finish the fried rice with a delicate splash of sesame oil for an extra layer of depth. Serve immediately while piping hot, celebrating the harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Notes

• Choose long-grain rice like jasmine or basmati for authentic texture and less stickiness during frying.
• Pre-chilling rice overnight helps separate grains and prevents mushy results, creating that signature restaurant-style fried rice.
• Use high heat and a well-seasoned wok or non-stick skillet to achieve golden, slightly crispy rice edges without burning.
• Customize protein options by swapping chicken with tofu, shrimp, beef, or keeping it vegetarian with extra vegetables for dietary flexibility.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg