This Easy Fried Rice is a quick and delicious dish made with cold, day-old jasmine rice, eggs, and a few simple seasonings. With the addition of green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil, this fried rice is full of flavor and can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light meal. It’s an ideal recipe for using up leftover rice and can be customized with your favorite vegetables or proteins.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Fried Rice recipe is simple, satisfying, and incredibly versatile. The cold rice is stir-fried to perfection, and the combination of soy sauce and sesame oil adds a savory depth of flavor. The eggs give the dish richness, while the green onions bring a fresh, crisp bite. It’s quick to make and perfect for a busy weeknight or a last-minute lunch.*
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (cold, day-old ideally)
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 2.5 tablespoons regular soy sauce (not dark soy sauce)
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Prepare the Ingredients: If your rice is freshly cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool or use leftover rice. This ensures that the rice grains are separated and not mushy.
- Cook the Eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, pour in the beaten eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are fully scrambled and set. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside.
- Stir-fry the Rice: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the cold rice to the pan and stir-fry for about 3-5 minutes, breaking up any clumps and ensuring the rice is evenly heated.
- Add Seasoning and Green Onions: Once the rice is heated through, add the soy sauce and sesame oil. Stir well to evenly coat the rice. Add the chopped green onions and mix them into the rice.
- Combine with Eggs: Return the cooked eggs to the skillet and mix them into the rice. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Remove the fried rice from the heat and serve immediately. Enjoy it as a side dish or a main meal!
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
Variations
- Vegetable Fried Rice: Add peas, carrots, corn, or bell peppers for extra veggies and color.
- Protein Add-ins: You can add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a more substantial meal.
- Spicy Fried Rice: Add a dash of sriracha or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Garlic Fried Rice: Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic when stir-frying the rice for an extra layer of flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the fried rice in a skillet over medium heat, adding a small splash of water or soy sauce to help rehydrate the rice.
FAQs
Can I use freshly cooked rice for this recipe?
While day-old rice works best for fried rice, you can use freshly cooked rice. Just make sure to cool it down and spread it out on a baking sheet to prevent clumping.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Yes, you can substitute regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce. Just be mindful of the salt levels, as low-sodium soy sauce is less salty.
Can I add other proteins like beef or beef?
Yes, you can add other proteins like cooked beef to customize your fried rice.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Fried rice is best served fresh, but you can prepare the rice and store it in the fridge for a day or two before stir-frying it.
How do I keep the fried rice from getting mushy?
Make sure the rice is cold before stir-frying. Fresh rice has too much moisture, which can lead to a soggy texture. Using day-old rice helps achieve the perfect fried rice.
Conclusion
This Easy Fried Rice recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover rice and turn it into a flavorful, satisfying meal in just 15 minutes. With simple ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, and eggs, you can create a delicious dish that’s perfect as a side or a quick main course. Customize it with your favorite veggies or protein for a truly versatile recipe!
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Easy Fried Rice
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Easy Fried Rice is a quick and delicious dish made with cold, day-old rice, eggs, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It’s a versatile and satisfying meal that can be customized with vegetables or proteins of your choice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (cold, day-old ideally)
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 2.5 tablespoons regular soy sauce (not dark soy sauce)
- ½ tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
Instructions
- If using freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool or use leftover rice to ensure the grains are separated and not mushy.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Pour in the beaten eggs and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully scrambled. Remove the eggs and set them aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the cold rice to the pan and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, breaking up any clumps and ensuring the rice is evenly heated.
- Add the soy sauce and sesame oil, mixing well to coat the rice. Add the chopped green onions and stir them into the rice.
- Return the cooked eggs to the skillet and mix them into the rice. Stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
- Remove the fried rice from the heat and serve immediately. Enjoy as a side dish or a main meal!
Notes
- Add vegetables like peas, carrots, corn, or bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- For a protein boost, add cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- For a spicy version, incorporate sriracha or chili flakes during the stir-fry.
- To enhance flavor, add minced garlic when stir-frying the rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
