Easy Fried Rice

This Easy Fried Rice recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something tasty, fast, and filling for the whole family! It comes together in a flash and is full of good protein, grains, veggies, and the delicious flavors of soy sauce, garlic, and onion for a quick and delicious dinner!

An Easy Fried Rice Recipe

Do you love fried rice as much as we do?! We don't happen to live close to much of anything -- at all -- so take-out dinners are few and far between. But sometimes the flavors and ease of take-out come calling my name, and this is the only recipe I turn to. It's absolutely delicious and takes less than a half-hour to throw together for a simple, satisfying meal for the whole family.

Plus, it's one of those flexible recipes that you can adjust depending on your mood or what you have in the house! Don't have ham? Use cooked chicken or shrimp instead! Play with the seasoning levels until it's just how you like it. Throw in really any veggie you love, and it'll be great! A little broccoli, bell pepper, or tomato would be divine.

I've even heard of people adding chopped pineapple (frozen or fresh) to their stir fry for a little sweet-and-salty action, which sounds incredible! Seriously, you can't mess this sucker up. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen for crazy days and simple nights.

Ingredients for Homemade Fried Rice

• Light oil: for scrambling the eggs and sautéing the rice, veggies and protein.
• Eggs: you scramble these and then add them into the rice mix at the end. Don't skip them! It gives it that traditional fried rice egg bite and adds a little extra protein.
• Cooked rice: leftover rice is better than fresh rice in my opinion. It doesn't clump together as much as fresh rice, probably because leftovers are a little more dried out than freshly cooked rice. But both will taste good.
• Diced ham: cooked! This will add a lovely salty protein and added flavor to the mix.
• Peas and carrots: for a little veggie action, and because they're the easiest vegetable ever to throw into a stir fry.
• Soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper: this will give the fried rice a beautiful Asian flavor thanks to the soy sauce, and make all the other flavors explode. Simple seasonings go a long way with fried rice.

How to Make Fried Rice

• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Crack the eggs into a bowl. Use a fork to whisk them together well.
• Add ½ tablespoon of oil to the pan. Reserve the remaining 2.5 tablespoons and swirl the pan to spread the oil across the bottom of the pan.
• Add your eggs and cook. Stir often to scramble and cook the eggs. When the eggs are cooked through remove them from the pan and place them in a small bowl, set aside.
• Return the pan to the heat. Add the remaining 2.5 tablespoons of oil.
• Add the cooked rice and saute in the oil. Break up the rice. If it starts to stick the to bottom lower the heat and feel free to add some additional oil.
• Add the cooked ham and mixed peas and carrots. Stir to combine, and cook for a minute or two until the vegetables warm through.
• Add the soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir to combine well.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. And feel free to adjust the soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder to your liking.
• Stir in the scrambled eggs.
• Remove from the heat and serve hot.

Tips for the Best Fried Rice

• It takes roughly 2 cups of uncooked rice to make 5 cups of cooked rice.
• I prefer using leftover rice but I have made fried rice with fresh cooked rice many times, too. The texture is just a bit different. The leftover rice doesn't clump together as much as the freshly cooked rice; they taste the same, though. Leftover rice will produce an end result most like take-out fried rice.
• The amounts/ratios of each ingredient can be adjusted to personal taste; just adjust the soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to taste.
• Set aside the eggs after cooking them. That way they don't overcook as you heat up everything else, and you can just fold them in at the end.

Variation Ideas

You can add all kinds of various produce and protein to fried rice! Try experimenting with:

• Bell peppers
• Jalapenos
• Chopped onion
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Bok choy
• Brussels sprouts
• Mushrooms
• Pineapple
• Chicken
• Shrimp
• Beef
• Pork
• Bacon

How to Store and Reheat Fried Rice

Once the rice is totally cool, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 to 4 months.

To reheat, place leftovers in a pan with a half tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Stir the leftovers until heated through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add a splash of additional soy sauce to moisten the leftovers if things have gotten dry.

What to Serve with Fried Rice

Fried rice *sort of* has everything going for it! You have carbs, protein, and vegetables, but if you want a side dish, you certainly have some options. You can pair fried rice with simply fruit, steamed broccoli, egg rolls, spring rolls, or a fresh salad!

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Other Rice Recipes To Try

• Chicken & Rice Casserole
• One Pot Sausage Rice & Peas
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice
• Easy Spanish Rice in the Rice Cooker

 

Fried rice is an easy and satisfying (and quick!) meal for busy days and when you want take-out... without waiting for the delivery!