Fried Rice Recipe : Easy Chinese-Style Lunch in 20 Minutes

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Fried Rice saves lunch when I have cold rice waiting in the fridge and only 20 minutes to cook. Eggs, vegetables, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil turn those leftovers into a warm, savory meal. Better yet, each spoonful stays fluffy while the rice picks up lightly crisp edges.

Why You’ll Love This Fried Rice Recipe

This Fried Rice comes together in 20 minutes, with 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking. Also, one wok or large skillet handles the whole recipe.
The eggs add richness, while garlic and ginger bring plenty of aroma. Meanwhile, tamari and toasted sesame oil give the rice a deep savory taste. This recipe serves six, so it works well for family lunch or meal prep.

Ingredients for Fried Rice

Best Rice to Use for Fried Rice

Use 4 cups cooked day-old white rice. Long-grain jasmine or basmati works especially well because the grains stay separate.
Most importantly, cold rice contains less surface moisture. As a result, it fries instead of turning soft and sticky.

Vegetables, Eggs, and Aromatics

You need 1/2 small diced onion, 1 large diced carrot, 4 green onions with the white and green parts separated, 2 garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger.
Also, grab 3 beaten eggs and 1 cup frozen peas. Together, these ingredients add color, texture, and fresh flavor.

Sauces and Seasonings

Use 2 tablespoons avocado oil for cooking. Then, season the Fried Rice with 3 tablespoons tamari soy sauce and 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil.
Finally, add kosher salt and ground white pepper to taste. White pepper adds gentle warmth without overpowering the other flavors.

Fried Rice ingredients with cooked rice, eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, garlic, ginger, and seasonings. — Simple Fried Rice ingredients with rice, eggs, vegetables, aromatics, and savory seasonings.

How to Make Fried Rice

Step 1: Cook the Onion, Carrot, and Green Onions

First, heat the avocado oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, and white parts of the green onions.
Then, stir-fry everything for 2 to 3 minutes. The vegetables should soften slightly while keeping some bite.

Step 2: Add the Garlic and Ginger

Next, stir in the garlic and ginger. Cook them for about 30 seconds.
Keep everything moving because garlic cooks quickly. Meanwhile, the hot oil will release the sharp, fragrant aroma of the ginger and garlic.

Step 3: Scramble the Eggs

Push the vegetables to one side of the pan. Then, add a little more oil if the cooking surface looks dry.
Pour the beaten eggs into the open space. Gently scramble them until they remain slightly soft.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Rice and Peas

Next, add the frozen peas and cold rice. Break up any rice clumps with your spatula as you mix everything together.
Then, stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. The rice should become piping hot, fluffy, and lightly crisp around some edges.

Step 5: Season and Finish the Fried Rice

Pour in the tamari and toasted sesame oil. Then, add salt, white pepper, and the green portions of the onions.
Toss everything until the seasonings coat the rice evenly. Finally, serve your Fried Rice immediately while it tastes hot and fragrant.

Fried Rice cooking in a wok with eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, and savory seasonings. — Fried Rice finished in a hot wok with eggs, vegetables, green onions, and savory seasonings.

Tips for the Best Fried Rice

Use Cold Day-Old Rice

Cold day-old rice gives you the best texture. Since it has dried slightly in the refrigerator, the grains separate more easily in the hot pan.

Cook Over Medium-High Heat

Also, keep the pan hot. Medium-high heat helps moisture cook away quickly and gives Fried Rice those lightly crisp edges.

Avoid Overcrowding the Pan

Use a large skillet or wok so the ingredients have room to move. Otherwise, excess moisture can collect and soften the rice.

Add Sauces Near the End

Finally, add tamari and sesame oil near the end. This method keeps the rice from soaking up too much liquid while it fries.

Fried Rice Variations and Add-Ins

Chicken Fried Rice

Cook diced chicken separately until fully cooked. Then, mix it into the seasoned rice before serving.

Shrimp Fried Rice

Cook shrimp separately until they turn firm and fully cooked. Next, fold them into the finished Fried Rice.

Chinese Sausage Fried Rice

For a richer variation, cook sliced Chinese sausage first. Then, stir it into the rice near the end.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Add more vegetables for extra texture. For example, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, baby corn, or kimchi all work well.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

You can also swap regular rice for cauliflower rice. However, cook it only until tender so it keeps a pleasant texture.

Easy Ingredient Substitutions

Using Frozen Mixed Vegetables

For a quick shortcut, replace the fresh carrot and peas with 1 1/2 to 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables. A blend with carrots, peas, and corn works nicely.

Adding Butter or MSG for Extra Flavor

Add a small amount of butter if you want richer Fried Rice. Also, a little MSG can add another layer of savory flavor.

Other Vegetables You Can Add

Try diced bell pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, baby corn, or kimchi. Meanwhile, use what you already have in the refrigerator to keep lunch simple.

What to Serve With Fried Rice

Fried Rice works as a complete light lunch, especially with eggs and vegetables. However, chicken, shrimp, dumplings, or a crisp cucumber salad can turn it into a larger meal.
You can also serve it alongside roasted or stir-fried vegetables. Since the rice already carries plenty of savory flavor, simple sides work especially well.

How to Store and Reheat Fried Rice

Refrigerating Leftover Fried Rice

First, cool leftovers before placing them in an airtight container. Then, refrigerate the rice for 3 to 4 days.
One serving contains about 259 calories, 37 g carbohydrates, 8 g protein, and 9 g fat. It also contains 3 g fiber and 545 mg sodium.

Freezing Fried Rice

Divide cooled Fried Rice into individual portions. Then, store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for 2 to 3 months.
For easier reheating, thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat Fried Rice Without Drying It Out

Reheat the rice in a wok or skillet with a small splash of water or oil. Then, stir frequently until the rice turns thoroughly hot.
Alternatively, microwave it covered with a damp paper towel. As a result, the added moisture helps keep the rice from drying out.
For more everyday recipe ideas, follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest and Kai Recipes on Facebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make fried rice step by step?

First, cook the onion, carrot, and white green onion pieces. Next, add garlic and ginger. Then, scramble the eggs, add peas and cold rice, and stir-fry until hot. Finally, add tamari, sesame oil, white pepper, salt, and the remaining green onions.

What is the secret to a good fried rice?

Cold day-old rice makes a big difference. Also, use a hot, roomy pan and keep the ingredients moving. Finally, add your sauces near the end so the grains stay fluffy rather than soft.

What are the ingredients of fried rice?

This Fried Rice uses cooked white rice, avocado oil, onion, carrot, green onions, garlic, ginger, eggs, peas, tamari soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, kosher salt, and white pepper.

What are the ingredients of Chinese fried rice?

Recipes vary, but Chinese-style Fried Rice commonly combines cooked rice, eggs, vegetables, aromatics, oil, and savory seasonings. This version uses garlic, ginger, tamari, sesame oil, peas, carrots, onions, and green onions.

More Such Recipes

Finished Fried Rice in a wok with fluffy rice, eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions. — Fluffy Fried Rice with tender eggs, peas, carrots, and lightly toasted grains.

Final Thoughts

This Fried Rice turns a container of leftover rice into a fast lunch with crisp vegetables, soft egg, savory seasoning, and those little toasted edges I always look for in the pan. Most importantly, the basic recipe leaves plenty of room for whatever vegetables or cooked protein you have on hand.

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