5 from 1 vote
Pin Recipe Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy

Craving Chinese takeout? There’s no need to wait for your order. In fact, when I tell my family I’m going to make my fried rice recipe for dinner, they buzz around near the kitchen inhaling the aromas. It smells so good and tastes even better. Oh, and it takes such little time to throw together you’ll wonder why you’ve never made it yourself before!

Best fried rice recipe

Best Fried Rice Recipe

Give your local Chinese spot a run for its money with the best fried rice recipe around. You’ll see with just 8 ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen that you can have this one-dish main that will please the whole family.

Ingredients for cooking fried rice

Fried Rice Ingredients

  • Cooked rice – preferably chilled! Using cold rice will avoid you ending up with soggy rice. If you have leftover rice from last night’s dinner, that is perfect!If you have leftover rice from last night’s dinner, that is perfect!
  • Eggs – that gives your egg fried rice the proper texture and adds delicious flavor.
  • Peas, carrots, and onions – these are the veggies that add all that color and taste in your vegetable fried rice.
  • Soy sauce – the secret to that caramel color and fried rice seasoning flavor!
  • Sesame oil – it gives your fried rice that restaurant-quality taste.
  • Green onions – the best garnish to finish it all off!

*Note – Oyster Sauce is optional in this recipe for those that may or may not eat seafood. It adds a delicious dynamic to this recipe if you are a seafood lover!

Easy fried rice recipe

Easy Fried Rice Recipe

It’s funny how cuisine from other cultures can seem so intimidating, even something like stir fried rice. But don’t worry! Fried rice is one of the easiest Chinese dishes to make. A classic Chinese fried rice recipe is quick and easy, even when you’ve had a crazy day.

Rice is great if you’re hungry and want 2000 of something.
Mitch Hedberg

How to make fried rice

How do You Make Fried Rice from Scratch?

If you have a wok, now is the time to trot it out to make fried rice. But without one, you can still make this dish. You just need a skillet, preferably a deeper one. Make sure you coat it well in sesame oil and cook the veggies, eggs, and then rice in that order. When making fried rice, make sure you continue stirring the ingredients constantly to ensure the rice cooks evenly.  Due to the higher heat you want to keep the rice moving and well combined, just like from your favorite Chinese restaurant!

What gives Chinese fried rice its flavor?

To give Chinese fried rice that restaurant-style flavor, it needs a little soy sauce and oyster sauce. These add umami to your stir fry rice recipe, the secret ingredients to making it taste authentic.

What is the difference between Chinese fried rice and Thai fried rice?

While both are stir-fried rice dishes, Thai fried rice uses fish sauce to add the umami flavor while Chinese fried rice uses soy sauce and oyster sauce. Additionally, most Chinese fried rice brims with vegetables while the Thai version uses less.

How to cook fried rice

How do You Cook Fried Rice?

It’s so simple to cook fried rice. A simple fried rice recipe requires only a few easy steps:

  • Preheat the wok
  • Coat it with oil
  • Cook your veggies
  • Add beaten eggs and scramble
  • Mix the veggies, eggs, and rice together with sauces
  • Garnish!

How to store fried rice

What are the Main Ingredients in Fried Rice?

You will need cooked rice that is chilled, onion, a thawed package of frozen peas and carrots, 2 beaten eggs, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, and green onions.

What is the Secret Ingredient in Fried Rice?

Precooked and chilled rice. Fried rice is slightly more time consuming if you have to wait for your rice to cook. When meal-planning for my family, I will always make fried rice the day after I use rice for dinner. I’ll make extra and then put it in the fridge. Then the next night when I make fried rice, it’s ready to go.

Aside from that though, the rice needs to be a bit cold and dried out. Using precooked and chilled rice will prevent your rice from becoming mushy. The heat from your wok and adding all those ingredients will bring it back to life for a flavorful dish you’ll want to serve every week!

Why do you put eggs in fried rice?

Eggs are a traditional ingredient in fried rice. They add a richness in flavor plus a soft texture that contrasts with the other ingredients. Even if you don’t add any other protein to your fried rice, the eggs ensure you get a well-rounded meal.

How can I make fried rice better?

In addition to using soy sauce and oyster sauce, you can add in chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp. More vegetables can help your fried rice have plenty of nutrition and flavor while filling up the family.

Best type of rice for fried rice

What kind of rice to Chinese restaurants use for fried rice?

Basmati rice is the best rice for fried rice. However, long grain rice, jasmine rice, and brown rice can all be used. Remember, they must all be cooked in advance before using in this fried rice recipe.

Do you cook fried rice before frying it?

Yes, your rice needs to be cooked first. It should be cool too, preferably chilled, so that you get the best results. Fresh rice not only takes longer but also has the tendency to turn out soggy.

How to add flavor to fried rice

What can I add to fried rice for flavor?

Add whatever you like, especially if you’re trying to use an array of leftovers. Any stir fry friendly vegetables chopped into small pieces are always a great addition. As for protein, if you have any cooked chicken, pork, or beef, you can always throw that in too. Shrimp and tofu can be cooked up fresh with it for an even more filling meal.

Why is my fried rice soggy/mushy?

If you cooked your rice right before trying to fry it, you’ll always have mushy rice. Another reason for soggy rice is adding too many ingredients at once. You want to add them in separately to keep the wok temperature hot enough to fry.

Do I cook fried rice before frying it

Why do you use leftover rice for fried rice?

For one, you get to use up leftovers. But using fried rice has other benefits too. Because the grains firm in the fridge overnight, they are separate more easily so your fried rice won’t have a mushy texture.

How to Store Fried Rice

Fried rice should be stored in your refrigerator after it cools, assuming you have any leftovers! It can stay fresh between 5 and 7 days when you keep it in airtight containers.

How to Reheat Frozen Fried Rice

In a hurry? You can microwave your fried rice to reheat it. Add a little water to it and heat for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on how much you have. You can also warm it up on the stove. Don’t forget adding a little liquid to revitalize it first. After about 10 minutes, it will be ready to enjoy.


Watch How To Make Fried Rice (Video)

Classic Fried Rice Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 348
This easy homemade fried rice is pack with flavors and is the perfect side dish to your chicken, steak or seafood. You can use different kinds of veggies that you have in your refrigerator and its equally delicious!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked basmati rice (or other white rice)
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 small white onion (chopped)
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce ((Low sodium soy sauce can be substituted))
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 3 tbsp green onions (chopped)
  • 2 tsp oyster sauce (optional)

Instructions 

  • Preheat a wok to medium high heat.
  • Pour in the canola oil and make sure the wok is evenly coated. Pour the sesame oil into the bottom and add the onions, peas and carrots. Fry until tender.
  • Slide the veggies to the side and pour the beaten eggs onto the other side of the wok. Scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetables.
  • Add the rice to the egg and veggie mixture. Pour the soy sauce on top. Stir and fry the mixture until heated through and thoroughly combined.
  • Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.
Calories: 348kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 816mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 3488IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

More fried rice recipes:

Never Miss A Recipe!

Join thousands of HowToCook.recipes subscribers and get our best recipes delivered each week!

Yes! Send me the newest recipes by email

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Avatar photo
Author

I’m a mom of two, food and wine lover, and recipe creation enthusiast. Good food brings families together. Which is why I’m devoted to sharing my best recipes that are simple enough for even the beginner cook that your family will love!

Write A Comment

Recipe Rating