Fried rice is a quick and tasty dish. The leftover rice can be used to make it.
It is a simple and easy recipe. It combines rice, eggs, carrots, peas, green onions and soy sauce. All of them are stirred together. It creates a delicious meal in minutes.
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What is fried rice?
This is a dish that’s prepared by a pan-frying method of cooked rice. It is combined with vegetables, eggs, spices and sometimes meat or seafood.
Residual rice is best as it is not as moist as hot, freshly cooked rice.
It is a very versatile dish. It can be prepared with diverse ingredients. It depends on your taste and available cooking supplies.
Fried Rice Ingredients
Key ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup carrots, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste if necessary
Instructions
How to make:
- Break up any clumps in rice.
- Warm oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Warm over medium-high heat.
- Scramble the eggs
- Take the eggs out
- Add remaining oil and fry vegetables. Add in the carrots and peas. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the garlic
- Break up any clusters in the rice and then add it.
- Stir and cook the rice.
- Add Soy, sesame oil and pepper
- Add scrambled eggs: Re-Add eggs. Continue cooking until it’s almost done.
- Add green onions. Stir it into a mixture. Cook further until tender, 1 more minute.
Serve: Add flavour and season to taste. Serve the fried rice very hot!
Some tips
- Leftover rice is moister and easier to work with than freshly cooked rice (use Cold Rice).
- Break up rice clumps: If the rice has been stored with clumps, break up the clumps with your fingers before adding to hot skillet or wok with other ingredients
- The best way for this rice to not get mushy is to use a hot skillet or wok, as it will cook faster.
- Don’t overfill the pan: Steaming instead of frying will result from too many ingredients in the pan.
- Ahead of time make the following preparations for the fried rice: Chop the garlic, wash and slice the green onions, and measure out the other seasonings.
- Don’t use too much of the soy sauce: If too much liquid is used, the rice will be mushy and salty.
- Sesame Oil Near the End: A mere little bit of sesame oil can do magic. It gives a dish a rich nutty flavor.
Which type of rice should be used?
A type of long-grain rice is a good option. It will not become mushy or sticky.
Jasmine rice is another option. It is great. But it has a slight fragrance.
Firmer and drier than hot freshly cooked rice, day-old refrigerated rice is best for fried rice.
When you only have hot rice, place it on a plate to cool off before making fried rice.
Fried Rice Variations
Chicken Fried Rice
Add some cooked diced chicken when adding rice.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Drain shrimp and return to heat, cook until shrimp is heated through; add shrimp to skillet close to end of cooking.
Beef Fried Rice
Add some thinly sliced cooked beef. It will make it a more substantial meal.
Vegetable Fried Rice
Include more vegetables. Like corn, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms and cabbage
Spicy Fried Rice
Add some chili sauce or chili flakes.
Ingredient substitutions
White rice substitute
For a change, try brown rice in your fried rice!
Vegetable oil substitute
Vegetable oil can be replaced with canola, peanut oil or other high heat cooking oil.
Soy sauce substitute
You can use tamari or coconut aminos. It depends on the dietary preferences and needs.
Pea and carrot substitute
Use corn, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli or other vegetables.
Sesame oil substitute
No need for sesame oil. It will be less rich and nutty.
Best side dishes
It is a delicious side dish. Have it with:
- Chicken
- Beef
- Shrimp
- Tofu
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Egg rolls
- Dumplings
- Spring rolls
Serve with extra green onion and/or fried egg.
Tips for storing it
Cover leftovers and refrigerate. Avoid leaving in room temperature for too long.
Reheat until steaming hot throughout when it is time to enjoy again. Reheat only as necessary for a meal, or the shortest meal!
It is a convenient, quick and easy method of creating a new dish out of day-old rice.
Always have some cooked rice in the refrigerator. It is a simple and fast recipe to serve as a lunch or dinner.
