Fried Rice

This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!

Fried Rice

This is a quick, 15 minute fried rice recipe that’s highly versatile. Terrific as it is, but totally adaptable to add what you want. I’ve used egg and a basic mix of frozen chopped vegetables – because I totally buy into the whole “snap frozen” thing and this is intended to be super quick ‘n easy. Just carrots, peas and corn (still frozen, don’t even need to thaw). But don’t let my laziness influence you! Feel free to use fresh veggies – whatever you want. Try adding proteins like chicken, shrimp/prawns, tofu. Because here’s the thing about fried rice: when you get the sauce right, you can put anything into it – and indeed, the Chinese do! This Fried Rice recipe is a classic side for all your favourite Chinese dishes!

How to make Fried Rice

Sauté flavour base – Start by sautéing onion, garlic and baconAdd diced vegetables – I’ve used frozen corn, carrots and peas for convenience here, but any diced vegetables will be greatAdd cooked cold rice and sauce and give it a tossMove everything to the side and scramble egg in the wok or pan. It sounds cheeky, but actually, this is a technique common in Thai Stir Fries, like in the ever popular Pad See Ew. It works great!Add green onion and toss it all together, then serve immediately!

This Egg Fried Rice is tossed with fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, colourful vegetables and a savoury Chinese restaurant fried rice sauce.

Fried Rice Sauce

Here’s what goes in Fried Rice Sauce:

Chinese cooking wine or Mirin (secret ingredient!) – this is the secret to a really great fried rice that truly stacks up to your favourite Chinese restaurant. If you omit these, it will not taste like real Chinese takeout, however, see recipe for the best non-alcoholic subs.Oyster sauce – it’s like using 10 different sauces, all conveniently packed into one bottle 🙂Soy sauce – Any soy sauce is fine here (but not sweet or flavoured). Light and all-purpose soy keeps the fried rice a light colour like you get at Chinese restaurants. Dark soy will stain the rice a mahogany colour which is also appealing, and the rice will have a stronger soy flavour which many people enjoy!Sesame oil and pepper (not critical)

Best type of rice for fried rice

Chinese fried rice is made with white long grain rice. But it can be made with any type of cooked, chilled rice – long grain, short grain, jasmine, basmati, even brown rice. Every Asian country has their version of fried rice, and use different rices. For example, Jasmine rice is used to make Thai Fried Rice. The Japanese use short grain white rice for Japanese Fried Rice (that recipe is on my mother’s website RecipeTin Japan). And Basmati Rice is used in Indian rice dishes, such as Biryani. All are tasty!

Why does the rice have to be cold or day old?

The rice needs to be cold, day old rice because the rice dries out in the fridge so the Fried Rice will have the right texture. Freshly cooked rice is too wet so it makes the rice clump together. But it’s still tasty – so don’t not make fried rice just because you don’t have time to chill the rice!

Do I have to use a wok?

Nope. A skillet will work just fine – just make sure it’s a big one so you can toss the rice around without it flying everywhere (the shape of woks is designed especially for wild tossing!). Fried Rice is so good, I’d happily scoff down an entire bowl of it as a meal. But let’s face it, it’s not the most well rounded meal. So serve it as a side for any Chinese or Asian main dish, or make a larger banquet. Here are some ideas:

What to serve with Fried Rice

Main Dishes to go with fried rice

General Tso’s ChickenPrawn (Shrimp) Stir FrySweet and Sour PorkKung Pao ChickenBeef and BroccoliCashew ChickenChop Suey Chicken Stir FrySee all Chinese and Asian recipes

Make a meal out of starters

Make a meal out of dishes ordinarily served as starters by adding a side of Fried Rice. Things such Hot and Sour Soup, Chinese Corn Soup, Spring Rolls, Chinese Lettuce Wraps (San Choy Bau) or Egg Foo Young.

Banquet!

Indulge in a homemade Yum Cha (Dim Sum) style banquet with dishes such as Potstickers, Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork), Chinese Steamed Pork Buns, or Crispy Chinese Pork Belly with a side of Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand! Originally published March 2018, updated with extra information March 2019 – no change to recipe.

Some more quick 15 minute Asian foods

Quick Asian Beef RAMEN Noodles – 15 minutes, made in one potAsian Beef Bowls – reader fave!Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup with Egg Ribbons – so simple, this will blow your mind…Pork Stir Fry with Green Beans – flavour packed!Egg Fried Rice – this recipeKimchi Fried Rice – packs loads of flavour but not too much heat!See 15 Minute Recipes

Life of Dozer

I upsized my little 2 seater convertible to a smallish 4WD because he grew out of it and hated the wind in his eyes when we were zooming around with the top down. All that for a bloody dog, and yet he was so unhappy shoved in the boot, he’d stand with his chin on the back seat so that drool dripped down the leather seats (sorry to gross you out). I caved and folded down the back seat to give him more space. I find it so ironic that I upsized to a larger car just for him, and yet I drive around with the back seat permanently folded down. 🙄