fried rice
Master the perfect easy fried rice recipe with pro tips for crispy grains & bold flavor. Weeknight dinner solved!
Ingredients
The Essentials
- 3 cups day-old jasmine rice or any long-grain rice
- Why? Fresh rice steams instead of frying—day-old = perfect texture!
- 2 tbsp neutral oil peanut, canola, or avocado
- Pro Tip: High smoke point = better sear without burning
- 2 eggs beaten (or tofu scramble for vegan)
- 3 cloves garlic minced (jarred works in a pinch!)
- 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger as a shortcut
The Flavor Boosters
- 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for GF
- Watch the salt: Low-sodium soy sauce lets you control seasoning
- 1 tbsp sesasme oil added at the end for aromatic punch!
- 1 tsp rice vinegar or lime juice for brightness
- The Mix-Ins Pick Your Adventure!
- 1 cup veggies: diced carrots peas, bell peppers
- Budget Hack: Frozen veggies work great—no chopping!
- 2 sliced green onions reserve the green tops for garnish
- Protein options: 1 cup diced chicken shrimp, or crumbled tofu
Optional Upgrades
- 1 tsp chili crisp for heat lovers
- 1/4 cup crispy shallots game-changing crunch!
- 1 tbsp fish sauce next-level umami
Instructions
Pro Tip Before You Start:
- Have all ingredients prepped and within arm's reach—stir-frying moves fast!
Prep Your Rice
- Break up cold rice with wet hands to prevent clumping
- Secret Trick: Lightly spray rice with water before frying to revive texture
Heat the Wok/Skillet
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until it begins to shimmer.
- Test the heat: Add a grain of rice—it should sizzle immediately
Cook the Eggs
- Add beaten eggs, let set for 5 seconds, then scramble until just set
- Remove from wok and set aside
Build Flavor Base
- Add remaining 1 tbsp oil
- Sauté garlic and ginger for 15 seconds until fragrant (don't burn!)
- Toss in hardy veggies (carrots, peppers) first, cook 1 minute
Fry the Rice
- Add rice, pressing into pan to maximize contact
- Let sit undisturbed for 30 seconds to develop crispy bits
- Toss and repeat 2-3 times for perfect texture
Bring It All Together
- Reduce heat to medium
- Add soy sauce around the edges (it'll caramelize on the hot pan)
- Return eggs, add tender veggies (peas, green onions)
- Drizzle sesame oil, toss to combine
Final Touches
- Taste and adjust: More soy sauce? Splash of vinegar?
- Garnish with extra green onions and crispy shallots if using