January 31, 2024
Review PostHomemade Fried Rice (Better Than Take-Out)
Table of Contents
One of the best things about a take-out is the fried rice you get with it. There’s always something so tasty about it. But with this Better Than Take-Out Fried Rice, you can make your own version that’s even more delicious and available whenever you want it.
Check out the fried rice recipe that has been pinned over a million times on Pinterest!
Best Fried Rice Ingredients
You will need:
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¼ large Vidalia onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- Green onions
PRO TIP:
White or brown rice can also be used in this recipe. Just keep in mind that brown rice takes about 30 minutes longer than white rice to cook.
Fried Rice Recipe Substitutions And Additions
RICE: You can use your favorite kind of rice for this recipe. Be sure to check the packaging and prepare it according to the instructions.
This recipe uses three cups of cooked rice. Leftover rice also works great for this dish!
VEGETABLES: Select any vegetables you love or have in the house to make the dish. You can also use frozen vegetables; just let them defrost first.
A few ideas include broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, sweet corn, red peppers, and bell peppers. You can also use a vegetable mix full of colorful vegetables in this recipe.
MEAT: You can also add some meat to the recipe, such as leftover chicken, to make it into something like takeout chicken fried rice.
Shredded pork, bacon, or beef works well. You can also add shrimp if you like seafood.
How To Make Fried Rice Recipe
STEP ONE: Prepare your rice according to the package directions. Set aside.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
This is a handy recipe if you happen to have rice leftover from another meal as well.
STEP TWO: In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and add onion and garlic.
Cook until onions are soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to keep the garlic from burning.
Add peas and carrots and cook until partially thawed, 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll need to adjust this time if you use fresh veggies.
PRO TIP:
One of the secrets of delicious fried rice is a nice hot wok and plenty of oil so that your veggies don’t burn to the bottom.
STEP THREE: Turn the heat up to medium-high and add cooked rice. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until rice is nice and hot and starts to brown.
STEP FOUR: Reduce heat and push the rice to the sides of the pan, making a hole in the center of the pan for the eggs. Crack eggs into the bottom of the pan.
STEP FIVE: Scramble the eggs in the middle of the pan. Once the eggs are cooked, stir the cooked egg into the rice.
STEP SIX: Mix soy sauce and sesame oil together and pour over rice. Stir until rice is evenly coated with sauce.
STEP SEVEN: To serve this fried rice, top with chopped green onions. You could even use cilantro and toasted sesame seeds as additional toppings.
How To Serve This Recipe For Fried Rice
Serve as a dish on its own by adding cooked chicken or other protein into the rice, or make a yummy stir fry to top this homemade fried rice.
Our zucchini and mushroom chicken, sheet pan stir fry, or beef and broccoli would be delicious dishes to serve alongside the rice.
Want to go further with fried rice? Then check out this cauliflower fried rice recipe. Or you could try shrimp fried rice as a delicious light meal.
MORE RICE RECIPES
Storing Homemade Fried Rice
IN THE FRIDGE: You can store leftover rice in an airtight container once cooled and put them in the fridge for three to four days. Reheat in the pan to serve.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze fried rice in portions to make it easy to defrost and use. Once it is cooled, pop the portions in a freezer bag and use within three months.
Defrost overnight then pop in the skillet to heat up.
This classic takeout fried rice recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, which is perfect for busy weeknights and can be upgraded in lots of different ways.
It works perfectly with Chinese food dishes as well as being an easy and filling light meal on its own.
Best Fried Rice Recipe FAQ
This easy fried rice recipe freezes well. Cool and place in an airtight container for easy reheating later.
You can use either day-old rice or fresh rice in this easy recipe.
While it will alter the flavor of the fried rice, you can use whichever sauces you like to use in your cooking. Try hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, or extra soy sauce.
Long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, is a good choice because it is light and fluffy. This type of rice will absorb the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish without becoming too mushy.
One key ingredient is rice, and the type of rice used can make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Another important factor is the oil that is used for frying.
Chinese cooks typically use vegetable oil, which adds a light and delicate flavor to the dish. Finally, fried rice is often seasoned with soy sauce, which provides a salty flavor.
The key to making fried rice that tastes just like it came from your favorite Chinese restaurant is to use cooked and cooled rice.
This means you have to plan to make this dish ahead of time, or if you happen to have had rice the day before, this is a great way to use your leftover rice.
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Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups rice, cooked
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¼ large Vidalia onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup peas and carrots, frozen
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- green onions
- cilantro, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet or wok, preheat vegetable oil over medium heat and add onion and garlic. Cook until onions are soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the garlic from burning.
- Add peas and carrots and cook until partially thawed, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat up to medium-high and add cooked rice. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until rice is nice and hot and starts to brown. Reduce heat and push rice to the sides of the pan, making a hole for the eggs.
- Crack the eggs into the middle of the pan and scramble. Once eggs are cooked, stir them into the rice.
- Mix soy sauce and sesame oil together and pour over rice. Stir until rice is evenly coated with sauce.
- Top with chopped green onions and/or cilantro, optional.
Video
Notes
- White or brown rice can also be used in this recipe. Just keep in mind that brown rice takes about 30 minutes longer than white rice to cook.
Nutrition
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Side Dish Recipes
- easy scalloped potatoes
- pea salad with miracle whip
- mac and cheese crock pot
- fried rice recipe
- Watermelon Salad
Comments
Sharon C says
I’ve never used jasmine rice. Does it have a different flavor than long grain white rice?
Layne Kangas says
Jasmine rice is long-grain, has a sweet, nutty flavor, and has a delicious smell. You can substitute another type of rice in this recipe just fine, however! I’ve made it with brown and white rice before. Enjoy 🙂
Sharon C says
I made this for dinner tonight and It tasted ok. I realized i forgot to buy the sesame oil. I’m Not sure how much that changed things. I think if I make it again I’ll remove the rice from the pan before cooking the egg then add the rice back in. I used my wok and made the hole for the egg but my rice kept sliding down I to the egg which resulted in egg coated rice. LOL
Gail. Orriskn says
I had leftover chicken,rice and a Broccoli,carrot,cauliflower mix and was looking for a fried rice recipe. I’ll admit,I almost didn’t try this one because I don’t like food blogs and lengthy recipes….I like quick and to the point. So I basically skipped right to the recipe and made it. It was very good,simple,easy and delicious. I will make again!
Randi says
Love this recipe!
Every time I attempt fried rice, my rice in the end becomes mushy and muddled, and sometimes a big sticky mess. How can I prevent this?!
Layne Kangas says
It’s best to use cold, leftover rice instead of cooking the rice fresh right before making fried rice. If you are making rice specifically for this, I would suggest making the rice first and putting it in the fridge for a couple of hours before proceeding with the fried rice. Enjoy! 🙂
Jen says
This was a simple and tasty recipe. I eyeballed my ingredients and only wished I had added some fresh ginger for the added flavor. Delicious!
Ellie says
So easy and family loves it! I add extra veggies and use coconut aminos instead of soy.
Angkhana says
Turned out great! Family loved it and it was super easy!
Tammy Henson says
I loved this recipe. I didn’t have peas or carrots on hand so I added canned corn and it was delicious. It was super easy and I’ll definitely be making this again.
Tonya says
We love this recipe! For protein add chicken. Yummm.
Gloria says
One of the best meals!!!!!
Megan says
I made this today, but loaded up on the veggies (broccoli, red pepper, zucchini, and carrots) and it was fantastic! I made it with fresh rice and found that it was kind of mushy when hot, but when we let on leftovers cool it was the perfect fried rice consistency. This was a easy recipe and didn’t require me to go to the store. Thank you!
Kathy says
Very tasty, and I loved the crunch of the green onions on top! I served it with a little additional soy sauce.