How To Make Fried Rice Recipe

A bowl of fried rice is a combination of several ingredients and each one brings a distinct and savory flavor to the mouth. The more ingredients and seasonings you put in the rice the more flavorful fried rice you make. 

The given ingredients are for egg-fried rice. You can add or reduce those ingredients based on your preference so let's have a look at them and gather accordingly: 

Rice

This is the base ingredient in fried rice. We normally use leftover white rice if you have it in the fridge then you're good to go. Otherwise, you'll need to make white rice approximately 3-4 hours before making the fried rice because the rice must cool fully for it to be perfectly fried without becoming mushy.

Use long-grain rice as this has less starch which prevents the clumping and gives that non-sticky texture but any normal white rice will work.

Oil

Oil adds moisture to the frying pan and helps to prevent the sticking or burning of rice and other veggies giving the rice a lightly crispy texture. Oil also brings a light flavor to the fried rice.

Use any vegetable oil or edible oil that is accessible to you but if possible try to incorporate oils that have high smoke point. This kind of oil does not leave much oily fragrance to the dish allowing the other flavors to rise. 

Salt and Black Pepper

Salt is the ultimate flavor enhancer as it brings life to the dish with its salty taste. Use kosher salt or any that is within your reach. Black pepper gives that hot kick to the fried rice and if you're a spice lover then this ingredient is a must for you. But make sure you use freshly ground black pepper. 

Eggs

Scrambled eggs take the taste of white rice to a new level so get fresh two eggs from the kitchen and scramble them separately. This also adds a subtle color to the dish and makes it more appealing. 

Garlic and Onions

These ingredients give a sweet and flavorful aroma to the fried rice. Garlic leaves a subtly sharp flavor and onion has that sweet and slightly spicy aroma, these when combined elevate the dish to a new level.

So, use some garlic cloves and onions. We'll mince the garlic and chop the onions finely so that they saute quickly and flavor releases to their full potential. In case fresh ones are not in stock, you can use the powdered ones. They also do the work. 

Ginger

This slightly spicy ingredient adds a warm and peppery flavor to the fried rice. Instead of ginger powder, it is good to use fresh ginger, just mince or grate it then toss it into the pan. That way it will brighten the meal. 

Soy Sauce

This sauce is mainly for flavoring the fried rice and also gives that appealing color which makes you drool. Some soy sauce may have a little higher salt content so choose the one with low sodium. Add it while frying the rice so that the sauce spreads evenly to all the ingredients. 

Carrots and Peas

Carrots are naturally sweet and when you add them to the fried rice, the rice absorbs the slightly sweet flavor. So, grab some fresh carrots and dice them in small cubes or desired shapes then saute them with onions and garlic.

Green peas lift the flavors and appearance of the fried rice so add them too.

Feel free to add on more veggies like bell peppers, scallions, cauliflower, or any of the choices since there are no limitations here. But make the portions small or you'll make fried veggies instead of rice.

Fresh Herbs

Green herbs impart a pleasing aromatic fragrance and also make the fried rice presentable. So use parsely or cilantro leaves by chopping them finely. 

Tools Needed

• Pan or skillet
• Spatula
• Cutting board and shape knife
• Measuring cups and spoons

In this busy lifestyle, fried rice recipes have been our rescue as we can make them in advance and pack them in a lunch box, then eat them whenever and wherever we want to.

But having the idea of how to properly make fried rice is a must otherwise, we end up ruining the whole thing. So, make this comfort recipe more easily with our guide. 

Ingredient Measurements

• Cooked rice: 4 cups
• Oil: 2-3 tablespoons
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Eggs: 2 large
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Onion: 1 small
• Ginger: 1 teaspoon
• Peas: 1/2 cup
• Soy sauce: 2-3 tablespoons
• Carrots: 1/2 cup
• Fresh herbs: 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start with the ingredients. Initiate by washing the carrots thoroughly and other veggies if you're using any. Peel off the outer layer of onions and garlic. Once peeled, chop them finely using a sharp knife, the more fine chopping, the better release of flavors from the ingredients. 

Now, cut the carrots into small pieces or you can shred them using a grater. Carrots' outer skin has a sweet taste so it is not necessary to remove that layer but if you want, go ahead. Cut the other veggies too.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Let's heat the pan by placing it on the stove. Once the pan heats, pour one tablespoon of oil into the pan and let it also heat for like 30 seconds.

The oil gets thinner in texture and you'll see a bit of smoke coming out of it when it heats fully. Don't try to add ingredients until the oil heats otherwise, it will ruin the overall taste of fried rice by giving that raw oil flavor.

Step 3: Scramble the Eggs

Pick two eggs and crack them one by one then pour them into a bowl. Begin to beat the eggs using a spoon and do this until both the yellow and white parts get mixed well. 

Add the beaten eggs to the heated pan and let it cook for a few seconds without moving it. Once the eggs start to set, scramble them with a spatula but lightly, don't overdo it.

Cook the eggs till they become soft but not runny and when you see that texture, remove it from the pan then place it on a plate.

Step 4: Saute Onion, Garlic, and Other Veggies

Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan and heat it like before. Then, add chopped onions and cook for a minute or until it becomes slightly golden. Onions take a longer time to cook so we put them first before other ingredients. 

Once the onions get golden, add minced garlic and grated ginger then stir them nicely for about 1 minute. Make sure you don't burn them, if burnt, they give a bitter taste to the fried rice ruining the overall flavor of the rice.

After those ingredients become golden brown, toss the carrots and peas then saute them for 3-4 minutes. This will slightly soften them.

Step 5: Add the Rice

Add the rice to the pan and stir in such a way that all the ingredients are combined well. Then, toss the scrambled eggs and break them using a spatula. 

Frequent string of the rice is key here, otherwise the rice may get burned or stick to the bottom of the pan. This also helps to make the rice and other ingredients slightly crispy.

Step 6: Add the Seasonings

We're almost done with the cooking of fried rice, the only thing left is some addition of the seasonings. So, let's add salt, black pepper, and soy sauce to the pan then give a good stir using a spatula ensuring the even distribution of seasonings.

Cover the rice for about 2-3 minutes and allow it to cook. Once that time passes, remove the cover and blend the rice along with other ingredients properly. You can check the level of seasonings by having a spoon of fried rice and if needed adjust them accordingly.

Step 7: Add the Herbs and Serve

Remove the pan and allow the fried rice to cool for about 3-5 minutes. After that, sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs all over the rice and then serve it on a plate. Now, you can enjoy warm fried rice with vegetable soup, and steaks, or make chili and then serve it with.

Previously we talked about the egg fried rice recipe. But that is not the only fried rice we can make. Let's explore some of the fried rice variations.

Mushrooms Fried Rice

The mushrooms are the star here as they bring earthy and meaty flavors to the rice. Any type of edible mushrooms will work so grab whichever is accessible for you.

Saute the mushrooms along with some green peas and carrots. Adjust the seasonings according to the taste, then there you have the mushrooms fried recipe ready!

Crab Fried Rice

This one is mostly popular among seafood lovers as it allows us to have a bite of tender crab meat along with the slight chewiness of the rice.

Besides the fresh crab meat, you'll need a scrambled egg, green onions, lemon juice, fish sauce, white rice, and some fresh herbs for a pleasing aroma. That way you can make crab fried rice recipe at home and drizzle some soy sauce for enhanced flavors.

Chicken Fried Rice

Want to make protein-filled fried rice? Then, the chicken fried rice recipe is what you all need. It is easy to make, just get the fresh chicken meat and cut them into small pieces uniformly then fry it until cooked evenly.

Lastly, toss the cooked chicken into the rice and other veggies then garnish with some chopped cilantro for a refreshing flavor. You can eat it just like that or serve it with soup or stews. 

Chili Prawn and Sesame Fried Rice

If you're someone who loves eating spicy food then this chili prawn fried rice is a good fit for you as it lets you enjoy the bold flavors and hotness all at once.

Start with marinating the prawns then stir fry them with the sesame oil. Blend the fried prawns with rice and other desired veggies and cook for a bit then spicy prawn fried rice is ready. 

Cauliflower Fried Rice

This fried rice option is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. This recipe is light and simple. Mix the fried cauliflower with the rice along with carrots, peas, and bell peppers then drop some fresh herbs for that aromatic fragrance. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasonings based on your choice. 

A perfectly separated grain and slightly crispy fried rice is what we all love. A fried rice recipe is normally very easy but sometimes this easy job could be challenging when you don't know how long to fry the rice.

If we try to over-fry the rice, it will get too hard to chew whereas not frying much leads the texture to be mushy and doesn't taste that good. But no worries, we're here to help you in this case. 

The ideal time to fry the rice is between 3-5 minutes and cook for 2-3 minutes covering the rice, this doesn't include the time for sauteing veggies. That time applies to four cups of cooked rice which is enough for four people.

This time also varies based on the quantity of fried rice you're making. You can extend the time by extra 3-4 minutes in case of larger quantities. 

Sometimes we tend to make fried rice in excess or with the purpose of storing it for a longer time. In both cases, storage of the rice is a must. It will spoil if left on the counter for more than 12 hours. So, here are two ways to store the fried rice: 

Refrigerating

This method keeps the fried rice fresh for up to 4-5 days. 

• First, cool the hot fried rice for an hour or until it cools completely. In case of any warmth left in the meal, bacteria might grow leading to spoilage.
• Once it cools, transfer the rice to a ziplock bag or airtight container.
• Cover the containers with their lids and do it tightly so that the air can't get into the jar. 
• Since the preparation things are done, we'll place the containers inside the refrigerator and choose a spot that is the coolest there so that the fried rice stays fresh for days.
• Avoid the place close to the refrigerator's door as the temperature around there fluctuates due to the frequent opening and closing of the door. 
• Make sure the internal temperature is maintained at 37°F or lower but not above that. The slightest changes in the temp spoil the rice so keep an eye on that thing too. 

Freezing

Normally there's no need for freezing fried rice since we can cook it pretty quickly. But if you have to then this freezing method is ideal for keeping the fried rice edible for up to 2-3 months.

The cooling and preparing process is the same as that of refrigerating so follow it properly. Before placing the containers, note the stored date on the containers so that it'd be easy to track the recommended consumption time. 

Now place the containers in the freezer and ensure the internal temp is set at 0°F or lower. Reheat the frozen fried rice in the microwave before using it, as there will be ice crystals and it needs to melt. 

Fried rice is almost our usual snack and when cooked properly it tastes really good. But eating alone could be boring, so here are some side dishes that you can pick and serve with the fried rice: 

• Kimchi: This fermented side dish adds tangy flavor and crunchy texture to the fried rice as a result enhances overall flavors. Also, the acidity in kimchi cuts the richness of fried rice and makes the meal light. So, serve kimchi and eat it with each spoon of fried rice, that's how you enjoy this pairing. 
• Pot Roast: If you're looking for a heavy side meal for the fried rice, this pot roast recipe is what you need. Since the pot roast is made with beef chunks, you'll be able to enjoy the tender meat along with some veggies like carrots and potatoes. That's not all, the gravy of the roast is what makes the fried rice delicious. 
• Sauteed Spinach: Green spinach is full of nutrients and when we serve it with fried rice, it gives a fresh and earthy contrast and many health benefits. So, saute the spinach in the pan by adding garlic, salt, and some sesame oil. When done, serve it with fried rice and bless your tummy with this healthy snack. 
• Chicken Gravy: This chicken dish tastes creamy and savory, which is perfect for pairing with fried rice allowing you to have a blend of comfort food. Eating fried rice alone could be a bit dry so chicken gravy makes the rice smooth and easy to chew. 
• Tofu: Give the fried rice a touch of Korean side with tofu. You can pan-fry or make a bowl of tofu soup and then give its company to the fried rice. This combination lets you enjoy the softness and chewiness with some great flavors. 
• Steaks: Beef steaks go pretty well with fried rice because they have that juicy and meaty texture, both complement the long-grained fried rice nicely. Slice off the steaks against the grain and put it beside the rice then sprinkle some sesame seeds for extra flavoring.
• Dumplings: This side dish has a soft outer cover and inside it, you will find flavorful fillings made with a lot of ingredients. This may sound like a weird pairing but trust us this tastes delicious as you dip the dumplings in the soy sauce or any dipping sauce then have a bite of it along with the fried rice.  
• Roasted Green Beans: Green beans are healthy and they make a good side for the fried rice. The fresh beans when roasted get caramelized as a result giving that subtle sweet flavor and filling the plate with good nutrients. This is the perfect combo for a snack or a semi-light dinner.