I still remember the first time I made Fried Rice at home. I was a teenager, and my parents were out, so I decided to try to recreate the fried rice recipe we always got from our favorite Chinese restaurant. It was a complete disaster! The rice was mushy, and the veggies were soggy. It wasn't until years later, with some trial and error and my mom's kitchen wisdom, that I learned the secrets to making the best fried rice recipe.
This recipe is the result of that journey: a perfect, homemade version that's even better than takeout and so easy to make. This is a proven solution for a healthy rice recipe that the whole family will love. I'll show you how to master this fried rice recipe easy.
Why You'll Love This Fried Rice Recipe
This isn't just a rice side dish recipe; it's a full meal that's packed with flavor. It's a great way to use up leftover rice and any vegetables you have in the fridge. This recipe is incredibly versatile - you can add chicken, shrimp, or pork, and it will taste amazing every time. My kids love helping me chop the veggies, and my husband always says it tastes like a professional made it. This fried rice recipe is a weeknight lifesaver, and it's a healthy rice recipe that everyone will happily eat.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Fried Rice Recipe
- What You'll Need for This Simple Rice Dish
- Let's Cook This! Your Cooking Roadmap
- Aliana's Top Tip for the Best Fried Rice
- Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
- How to Store & Reheat
- What to Serve With This Dish
- FAQs About Fried Rice Recipe
- More Recipes You'll Love
- Related
- Pairing
- Homestyle Fried Rice Recipe
- More DINNER
What You'll Need for This Simple Rice Dish
The best part about making fried rice at home is that you can use ingredients you likely already have. It's a budget-friendly meal that comes together with minimal fuss. Check the recipe card below for exact measurements and full instructions.
This is a fantastic rice dish that can be customized to your family's liking.
Essential Ingredients
- Cold, cooked rice (This is the most important part! Use day-old rice)
- Vegetable oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Frozen peas
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Eggs
Optional Add-ins
This is where you can get creative! You can easily turn this into a chicken fried rice recipe by adding diced, cooked chicken, or a shrimp fried rice recipe with cooked shrimp. If you prefer a pork fried rice recipe, add some cooked, diced pork. For a delicious vegetable fried rice recipe, simply add more of your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli. For a classic taste, you can add a bit of sesame oil at the end for flavor.
Let's Cook This! Your Cooking Roadmap
This is where the fun begins! Follow these easy steps to get a perfect, crispy, and flavorful chinese fried rice recipe on your table in no time.
Prep the Ingredients
This is key to making great fried rice. First, make sure you have cold, day-old rice. If you don't, cook the rice and then spread it on a baking sheet to cool completely in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Chop your onion and carrots, and mince your garlic. Having everything ready to go will make the cooking process much smoother.
Cook the Vegetables
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a little vegetable oil. Add the onion and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Add the frozen peas and cook for another minute. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
Why do I need to use day-old rice? Using cold, day-old rice is the key to preventing a mushy texture. The rice loses moisture as it sits in the fridge, so when you fry it, it gets that wonderful, slightly chewy texture that you find in restaurant-style fried rice.
Scramble the Eggs
Push the vegetables to one side of the pan. Add a little more oil to the empty space and pour in the whisked eggs. Scramble the eggs until they are cooked through, then break them into smaller pieces and mix them in with the vegetables.
Add the Rice
Add the cold rice to the skillet, breaking it up with your spoon or spatula. Stir it continuously until it's heated through and the grains are separated. Stir in the soy sauce until the rice is evenly coated. Continue to cook for a few more minutes, stirring often, to allow the rice to get a little crispy on the outside. This is what makes a truly good fried rice recipe.
Aliana's Top Tip for the Best Fried Rice
I learned this trick from my grandmother, and it's a game-changer.
For an extra layer of flavor, toss in a pat of butter at the very end, just before serving.
The butter melts into the warm rice, giving it a rich, nutty flavor that makes all the difference.
This simple touch takes your homemade chinese food to the next level.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
You can easily adapt this fried rice recipe to whatever you have on hand. No carrots? Use bell peppers. Don't have peas? Use corn. This is a very flexible and forgiving dish. For a healthier rice recipe, you can use brown rice instead of white, or you can even use riced cauliflower for a low-carb option!
How to Store & Reheat
Leftover fried rice tastes amazing the next day! Just let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can either pop it in the microwave or heat it in a skillet with a little oil over medium heat until it's hot. My husband loves this easy rice recipe in his lunchbox.
What to Serve With This Dish
This fried rice recipe is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables, egg rolls, or your favorite Asian-inspired protein like sweet and sour chicken. It's a great rice side dish recipe that can accompany many other dishes.
FAQs About Fried Rice Recipe
Why is my fried rice mushy?
The most common reason is using fresh, warm rice. The rice needs to be cold and dry. For the best result, use rice that has been cooked and refrigerated for at least 12 hours.
Can I use different vegetables?
Yes! This recipe is very versatile. You can add or substitute any vegetables you have on hand. Just make sure to chop them into small, bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the vegetables and chop any protein ahead of time. It's best to cook the rice right before you serve it to keep it fresh and flavorful.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you loved this Homestyle Fried Rice, check out these other Dinner and Asian-inspired meals that are perfect for the whole family.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Fried Rice Recipe:
Homestyle Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet to prepare the base until the surface shimmers.
- Sauté the onions and carrots to soften their texture until the onions turn translucent.
- Stir in the frozen peas and minced garlic to build fragrance until the garlic smells aromatic.
- Push the vegetables aside and scramble the eggs to create protein chunks until they set firmly.
- Mix in the cold rice to break up clumps until the grains separate completely.
- Drizzle soy sauce over the mixture to season the dish until the rice turns golden brown.
- Stir a pat of butter into the hot rice to add a nutty flavor until it melts completely.
Nutrition
Notes
Add cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Dice vegetables small so they cook evenly.
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