Ingredients
For the best fried rice, start with the basics: rice, egg, and veggies. Then, combine with other ingredients and make a yummy, special dish. There are endless possibilities! Let’s check out the ingredients you need to make the perfect fried rice:
- Rice
- Egg
- Veggies
- Other ingredients of your choice
Rice
Rice is a key element in Fried Rice. Long grain white rice is usually used, but brown rice is a healthier choice. Cook it before making the fried rice. Boiling or steaming are good options. It’s best to use cooled, day-old rice. Freshly cooked grains are too soft and make the fried rice soggy.
Soak the grains for extra flavor. Or rinse them off before cooking to reduce starchiness. Be aware of the liquid to rice ratio when cooking. This will determine how fluffy and sticky the final product is!
Vegetables
Fried rice is a yummy dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with seasonings, proteins and vegetables. It’s popular worldwide, but each version is distinct. If you’re after a classic recipe or something more exotic, there are plenty of options.
The vegetables you choose for your fried rice depend on your taste. Use any combo of raw or frozen vegetables. For a visually pleasing plate of food, pick colorful options – carrots, onions, bell peppers and celery, for instance. Or try corn, peas, zucchini, eggplant or snow peas. Even bok choy, asparagus or garlic shoots can be used.
Before cooking, prepare all the ingredients. Chop vegetables into small dice (1/4 inch). This ensures they cook quickly without burning. Make sure excess moisture is removed from canned items, such as canned mushrooms. This prevents excess liquid in the frying pan when adding them to the dish.
Protein
Protein is a must for fried rice! Popular choices include shrimp, pork, beef, tofu, and chicken. Season or marinade for extra flavor. Scrambled eggs, sliced fish (Asian style!), tempeh, seitan, and chopped nuts (like peanuts or cashews) will add a nutty flavor. Cook protein separately first then add to the dish for even cooking.
Oil
Oil is key for fried rice. Pick the one with a high smoke point. Canola or peanut oil are best. Heat the oil on medium-highest before you add the eggs. Be careful, as hot oil is dangerous. To add flavor, add extra ingredients like butter.
Enjoy your delicious fried rice!
Seasonings
Fried rice has a unique taste. Seasonings depend on what you and your family like, and what you have in your kitchen. Onion, garlic, and ginger are ideal for fried rice and can be found in any grocery store.
Soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster, or hoisin sauces are pre-packaged options, as well as salt and pepper. Chili flakes or garlic chilli paste add spice and freshly chopped chillis and lime juice can refine the flavor. For sweetness, add a teaspoon of sugar.
For extra protein, diced cooked chicken is a great option, or shrimp and egg.
Preparation
Getting ready to fry some rice? It’s key to make sure it’s a success! Here we’ll list the ingredients and how to measure, cut, and cook them. It’s essential for an amazing fried rice dish! Let’s get started!
- Ingredients
- Measure and cut
- Cook
Cook the rice
Cooking the rice is essential for fried rice. Use long-grain or jasmine. First, rinse it. Boil 2 cups of water and add 1 cup of rinsed long-grain/jasmine rice and a pinch of salt. Stir, then turn the heat down to low. Simmer with a lid on top for 10-14 minutes. Turn off the heat. Leave the lid on for an extra 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Set aside until you’re ready to use in your fried rice recipe. This will give you fluffy individual grains!
Prepare the vegetables
Before cooking fried rice, it is important to prepare the vegetables. Wash and peel them if needed. Cut them into small cubes or thin slices. Carrots should be diced, onions and peppers should be sliced. This will make them cook evenly when added to the wok or pan.
Put the prepped veggies in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Stir until everything is coated. The vegetables will add flavor and texture to the fried rice. So, you can experiment with different varieties or stick with your favorite combo.
Add the protein
Add protein to your fried rice for a healthy and filling meal. Options include chicken, sausage, shrimp, or eggs. If you’ve picked eggs, separate the whites from the yolks. Beat the whites until they’re stiff, then set aside. Reserve one tablespoon of the beaten whites.
Heat oil in another pan. Cook your protein on medium to high heat until it’s done. Take it off the heat and place it on a plate with paper towels to absorb any extra oil.
Heat the oil
Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat if needed. Add eggs and stir quickly – until they form curds. Remove them when almost cooked.
Add garlic and chopped onion. Sauté for two minutes until softened. Reduce heat if necessary. Stir for another minute or two until fragrant.
Mix in carrots, peas and other veggies. Cook until everything softens, but still crunchy. Add soy sauce. Stir until everything is coated.
Add cooked rice with a slotted spoon. Use a wooden spoon to combine. Add eggs back in for protein and flavor. Stir one last time. Then turn off heat and serve hot!
Add the seasonings
Once your veg is cooked, it’s time to add the seasonings. A popular combo of flavours used in Asian fried rice dishes is light and dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and salt. But feel free to adjust the seasonings to your own preference.
Mix 2 tablespoons each of light and dark soy sauces in a bowl or cup. Add more or less depending on your taste. Don’t forget the dish will be very salty if you put too much soy sauce. Then add a teaspoon of oyster sauce and sesame oil. For a milder dish, you can skip the oyster sauce or substitute it for another ingredient like hoisin sauce or sweet chili sauce. Finally, season with some salt and stir until combined.
Add the seasoning mix to the pan with the veg and stir fry for about a minute. If you want, add some chopped scallions (green onions) for extra flavour. Mix them in before stirring together one last time. Your fried rice is now ready to be served!
Combine the ingredients
Grab some cold, cooked rice (day-old is ideal). If that’s not an option, cook it according to package instructions and let it cool.
Heat up vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok. When hot, add garlic, onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for two minutes. Toss in the carrots and stir-fry for another two minutes. Add in any extra veggies if you’d like.
Mix in the cooked rice. Change from stirring to folding as you mix the ingredients together. Pour soy sauce over the mixture until it’s evenly coated. Adjust the amount of soy sauce as needed.
Keep stirring/folding until everything’s heated through. Serve it while hot. Sprinkle with green onions or cilantro if you’d like. Enjoy!
Serving
Fried rice – a dish that’s loved worldwide! It’s an ideal side to any Asian-inspired meal, or a scrumptious main course. To make it, you’ll need some simple ingredients, a few techniques and a bit of patience. Let’s dive into the process of making this delicious dish!
Plate the fried rice
Once the fried rice is cooked and flavoured to your liking, it’s time to plate it. Check it looks right with all the ingredients nicely blended and cooked.
When plating, spread out the main ingredients, no heaps or mess. Have a container of garnishes nearby like diced scallions, slivered almonds, sesame seeds and sauces.
If you want, add vegetables too. The type of veggie depends on the number of people eating and their tastes.
Finally, add a small dish of soy sauce and extra hot sauce if you like it spicy. Extra portions can be added to individual plates during serving. Voila! The fried rice is ready to be served!
Garnish with additional seasonings
Your fried rice is almost cooked! To make it even tastier, you can add some seasonings such as:
- Chili powder
- Green onions
- Dried red chillies
- Sesame oil
- Sugar
- Soy sauce
- and more.
These toppings will give a different flavor to the dish. Go for chili powder or dried red chillies for a warming touch. And don’t forget to sprinkle some fried onions on top for a savory crunch!
Serve with a side dish
Fried rice is best served with a side dish. A boiled egg, scrambled egg, spring roll or flavored tofu are popular choices. Boiled egg brings a healthy flavor, while scrambled egg is great as a topping. Spring rolls bring a crunchy flavor with every bite. Toppings like veggies can contrast or complement the flavors. Char siu pork, curry beef and vegetable tempura are also popular side dishes. Substitute any proteins for the ones listed in the recipe.
Serve a side dish with fried rice to make a great meal even better!
Tips
Fried rice for all! To whip up a yummy plate of fried rice, follow these tips. Ingredients, techniques and advice – here we go!
- Ingredients
- Techniques
- Advice
Use cold cooked rice
Using cold cooked rice is key when making fried rice. Warmer temps can make it mushy and clumpy. If you have freshly cooked rice, spread it out on a baking sheet and refrigerate for a few hours. If you have leftover cooked white or brown rice, simply chill till you’re ready to fry!
Once the cooled cooked rice is ready, add oil to your pan/wok and heat over medium-high heat. Then stir-fry aromatics like garlic, onions, and ginger, as well as seasonings like soy or fish sauce. Add prepared vegetables like diced carrots and celery, plus cooked proteins like shrimp or chicken. After veggies are tender and proteins are warmed through, add the cold cooked rice and toss until combined. Fry over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Serve your flavorful creation warm over steamed white rice! Yum!
Use a variety of vegetables
For an extra tasty fried rice dish, mix in various vegetables. Carrots, peas, onions: sure. But also bok choy, mushrooms, bell peppers! Get creative with flavors. Add jalapeños for a spicy kick. Sweet potatoes for a twist. Fresh and frozen are best. Avoid canned veggies – they often have more sodium, and can make your fried rice too mushy.
Add extra seasonings to taste
Fried rice is special. Its secret ingredient? Seasonings! Soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper are great additions. Each one adds its own flavor. Soy sauce is salty. Sesame oil is nutty.
Start small when adding seasonings. Too much can ruin the dish. Get creative too! Curry powder or chili flakes? Yum! Taste as you go and add a dash here and there for an amazing meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Experiment with different proteins
Fried rice is loved by everyone – vegetarians, carnivores and flexitarians! When making fried rice, it’s important to pick a protein that complements the flavor of the ingredients. Meat, fish or tofu are great choices. For example, shrimp, pork, beef, chicken or fish.
Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat, and add your preferred protein source. Cook until it’s light brown or golden. Tofu is an excellent vegan-friendly option, too. It gives lots of flavor with minimal cooking time.
You can modify the ingredients for dietary needs or preferences. Onions, carrots, bell peppers and mushrooms add vitamins, minerals and fiber for a healthier dish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What ingredients do I need to make fried rice?
A: To make fried rice, you’ll need cooked white rice, eggs, cooking oil, garlic, onion, soy sauce, and any additional ingredients you’d like to add, such as vegetables or meat.
Q: How do I prepare the ingredients for fried rice?
A: Start by heating the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then add the chopped garlic and onion to the skillet and cook until they are fragrant. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add them to the skillet. Stir the eggs until they are fully cooked. Finally, add the cooked white rice, soy sauce, and any additional ingredients to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook until everything is heated through.
Q: How do I store leftover fried rice?
A: Leftover fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, add a small amount of oil to a skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the fried rice and cook until heated through.
