Easy Fried Rice

Discover how to create the best fried rice recipe at home! Packed with leftover white rice, scrambled eggs, a ton of vegetables, and my secret ingredient, butter, this recipe tastes just like your favorite restaurant but better! Easy Fried Rice

Easy Fried Rice

BEST Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice is one of my favorite takeout-inspired recipes to make at home because it’s easier to control the sweetness and saltiness and to add more vegetables. Our family makes this recipe at least once a week using whatever vegetables we have on hand, and it always goes well with my takeout-style meals. I especially enjoy serving it with my Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef and General Tso’s Chicken.Easy Fried Rice

Next, I add in lots of veggies! For flavor I add soy sauce and oyster sauce. I also like to add Sriracha for a little kick. This recipe is a great way to work in any leftovers. You can substitute any vegetables you have on hand. You can also toss in chicken, bacon, or pancetta, or try my Shrimp Fried Rice or Beef Fried Rice recipe.Easy Fried Rice

Tips for making The Best Fried Rice

• Pick the proper rice: Jasmine rice, which is long grain, is the best! Long grain rice has less starch which helps the rice not to clump up or turn mushy.
• For optimal results, use rice that is COLD from the day. The hot oil will cause the cold rice to crisp up. Rice that is warm will not toast and may even get mushy. If you are in a pinch make the rice first and spread it out onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Pop it in the fridge or freeze to cool down quickly then use as directed.
• Always rinse the rice before using: This removes the extra starch from the rice and prevents it from clumping.
• Don’t over-sauce your rice: I know it’s tempting to add more soy sauce or oyster sauce, but I always season my rice with salt and pepper if some extra seasoning is needed. If you add too much sauce, the rice will be mushy and not light and fluffy (which is what we want!) Make sure to break up the large chunks of rice before adding your leftover rice.

Fried Rice Ingredients

• Butter:You can always use any other cooking oil if you want, but I strongly recommend trying butter in your fried rice. This is my secret ingredient, and it’s what they use at hibachi restaurants for their fried rice. It’s been a game changer ever since I started using it, adding a lot more flavor and more fat which helps to brown the rice.Easy Fried Rice
• Eggs:Are added for protein and are prevalent in fried rice recipes. You can eliminate and substitute tofu if you are allergic to eggs or simply not a fan.Easy Fried Rice
• Veggies:I use diced carrots, onions, garlic and peas. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Bell peppers, zucchini, leeks, maize and edamame would all be fantastic in this!Easy Fried Rice
• Rice: I like to use jasmine rice or long grain white rice because they cook up fluffy and don’t clump together.Easy Fried Rice
• Soy sauce: I always use low-sodium soy sauce, but you may use regular or dark soy sauce instead; just dilute it with water to reduce the saltiness.Easy Fried Rice
• Oyster sauce: This sauce, which is located in the international or Asian area of your grocery store, is thick, savory, slightly sweet, and salty.Easy Fried Rice
• Sesame oil: gives the meal a deliciously nutty flavor. A small amount makes a big difference!Easy Fried Rice

How to make The BEST Fried Rice

• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet to begin. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through.

• After taking them out of the pan, put them aside. Pour in the remaining tablespoon of butter. Cook the onion and carrots in the pan for 3–4 minutes, or until they are soft. Cook for one more minute after adding the garlic.Easy Fried Rice

• Sauté the cooled rice and peas for three to four minutes. There should be some browning of the rice.

• Add the eggs back to the pan and stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through. Serve immediately with green onions for garnish, if desired.Easy Fried Rice

Can you make Fried Rice in the Air Fryer?

Indeed! Fried rice is incredibly simple to prepare in an air fryer! Just put everything in the air fryer and cook until well heated. View my Air Fryer Fried Rice Recipe for detailed, step-by-step directions.Easy Fried Rice

Fried Rice Variations

• For a nutritious low-carb variation, try substituting rice with riced broccoli, quinoa, or cauliflower.
• Add chicken, shrimp, or beef to this recipe for protein. Just brown the protein first, put it aside, and then, when the rice and vegetables are done cooking, toss it back in.
• Try making kimchi fried rice with chopped kimchi for a unique touch. It provides just the right amount of fire and tang!
• If you want more fiber and nutrients, you can use brown rice instead of white rice.
• Use any vegetables you happen to have on hand as a substitute. Broccoli, celery, or red bell peppers would all work well in this!
• You can try making your own oyster sauce or use hoisin sauce if you can’t find oyster sauce or don’t have it in your cupboard. This homemade oyster sauce recipe is fantastic!
• Are you pressed for time? You can use the Instant Pot to make this! Check out my recipe for Instant Pot Fried Rice!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store fried rice in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• To freeze: Keep leftovers for up to three months in a big ziplock bag. Fill the ziplock bag with air, put it flat, and then freeze it. This facilitates stacking in the freezer and speeds up the defrosting process!
• Reheat from refrigerated: Use an air fryer, skillet, or microwave to reheat leftovers. To prevent it from sticking to the pan, you might need to add a little extra butter or soy sauce.
• Reheat from frozen: In the refrigerator, let the rice thaw overnight. Use an air fryer, skillet, or microwave to reheat rice.

What to serve with Fried Rice

• Slow Cooker
• Tso’s Chicken
• Chicken Chow Mein
• Mongolian Beef
• Broccoli Beef
• Vegetable Chow Mein
• Shrimp Kung Pao
• Szechuan Homemade Dumplings with Beef
• Air-Fried Chicken Lo Mein Egg Rolls
• Stir-fried Honey Chicken

The BEST Fried Rice

The best fried rice. This fried rice just takes 20 minutes to prepare and is packed with vegetables!

Ingredients

• 3 eggs and 2 tablespoons of butter, whisked
• Two medium carrots, chopped small
• One little onion, chopped
• Three minced garlic cloves
• Four cups of cooked and chilled rice (I use either brown or white rice) and one cup of thawed frozen peas
• 3 tablespoons of soy sauce with reduced sodium
• Two tablespoons of oyster sauce
• If preferred,
• garnish with sliced green onions
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil.

Instructions

• Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet to begin. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through.
• After taking them out of the pan, put them aside. Pour in the remaining tablespoon of butter. Cook the onion and carrots in the pan for 3–4 minutes, or until they are soft. Cook for one more minute after adding the garlic.
• Sauté the cooled rice and peas for three to four minutes. There should be some browning of the rice.
• Add the eggs back to the pan and stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through. Serve immediately with green onions for garnish, if desired.