Fried Rice is a versatile and delicious dish that’s perfect for using up leftover rice and making a quick meal. It’s full of flavor, and you can customize it with whatever vegetables, protein, or seasonings you like. Here’s a simple recipe for classic fried rice that you can easily adjust to suit your preferences!
Classic Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice, for better texture)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or sesame oil for more flavor)
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots, corn, bell peppers, etc.)
- 2-3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2-3 green onions (chopped, for garnish)
- Optional: 1/2 cup cooked chicken, shrimp, pork, or tofu for added protein
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Rice:
- If you’re using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet and let it cool for 15-20 minutes before frying. For best results, day-old rice works better because it’s drier and won’t clump together when frying.
2. Cook the Eggs:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Pour the beaten eggs into the pan and scramble them. Once they’re cooked through, transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and heat over medium-high.
- Add the diced onion and cook for about 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the mixed vegetables (you can use frozen mixed veggies or fresh ones like peas, carrots, corn, and bell peppers). Cook for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are heated through and tender.
4. Add Rice:
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula or spoon.
- Stir well to combine the rice with the veggies. Let it fry for 2-3 minutes, allowing the rice to get a little crispy on the edges.
5. Season the Fried Rice:
- Drizzle in the soy sauce and sesame oil (if using). Stir well to evenly coat the rice.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like a bit of heat, you can also add a splash of sriracha or chili paste at this point.
6. Add Eggs and Protein (Optional):
- Return the cooked scrambled eggs to the skillet and stir them into the rice.
- If you’re adding cooked protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu, add it to the skillet and mix everything together.
7. Final Touches:
- Stir everything together for 1-2 minutes to make sure everything is heated through.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, flavorful finish.
8. Serve:
- Serve your fried rice immediately as a side dish or as a main meal with a protein. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations:
- Rice Tip: If you don’t have day-old rice, you can spread fresh rice on a baking sheet to cool it faster, or sauté it for a bit longer to help dry it out. It helps to avoid sogginess.
- Flavor Add-Ins: Feel free to add a bit of ginger, hoisin sauce, or a dash of oyster sauce to deepen the flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian or vegan fried rice, skip the eggs and add more tofu or tempeh for protein. You can also add extra vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or cabbage.
- Meat Choices: For protein, chicken, shrimp, or pork are great options, or use whatever leftover meat you have. Even beef or duck works well for fried rice.
- Extra Crunch: Add some chopped nuts like cashews or water chestnuts for a nice crunch in the dish.
Fried rice is a great way to use up leftovers, and you can easily customize it to fit your tastes or dietary needs. It’s quick, satisfying, and full of flavor. Enjoy your homemade fried rice! Let me know if you’d like any more variations!