Freshly cooked fried rice in a ceramic bowl topped with scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, and scallions, surrounded by raw cooking ingredients like garlic, eggs, soy sauce, and sesame oil on a wooden table

Fried Rice Recipe 5 Easy Steps for Perfect Results

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Key Takeaways

  • The production of homemade fried rice of restaurant standard depends on selecting proper ingredients while mastering specific cooking methods.
  • The base dish of fried rice enables modification through numerous ingredients and taste preferences.
  • A basic fried rice masterpiece requires three main components along with cooked rice and vegetables and protein and seasonings.
  • A proper step-by-step process for cooking fried rice starts by preparing all ingredients followed by stir-frying then adding the seasonings.
  • You can achieve perfect fried rice by using old rice along with high heat while maintaining the pan open so nothing blocks the heat.

Introduction

Silken grains of fried rice bring delight to people worldwide through their fusion of tasty combinations. Fans of all types of Oriental food can agree that fried rice is their favorite dish from this portion of the world. The flexibility in fried rice allows for both solitary enjoyment and supporting various types of main dishes as an excellent side dish.

Gaining expertise to produce fried rice at restaurant-level quality at home brings tremendous satisfaction to those who want to prepare this famous dish. Reader will learn essential steps to produce supreme fried rice through the methods described in this piece.

What is Fried Rice?

The preparation of fried rice involves stir-frying steamed rice together with seasonings and eggs and various types of vegetables. The dish exists as a main ingredient in Chinese cuisine along with Indian and Asian styles.

  • Why do people love it?
  • Quick meal for busy nights
  • Easy to make
  • Uses leftover rice
  • Customizable with your favorite veggies or protein

Main Ingredients:

  • Toasted Sesame Oil: ¾ teaspoon
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Scallions: 2 medium, thinly sliced (whites and greens separated)
  • Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon
  • Frozen Peas and Carrots: 1 cup (no need to thaw)
  • Cold Cooked Rice: 4 cups (brown or white rice, medium grain is best)
  • Soy Sauce or Tamari: 1 tablespoon
  • Kosher Salt: 1½ teaspoons
  • Ground White Pepper: ¾ teaspoon
  • Large Eggs: 2

How to Cook Fried Rice Step by Step

1. Prep Your Ingredients

  • Mince garlic
  • Slice scallions
  • Measure frozen peas and carrots
  • Crack and beat the eggs

2. Cook Vegetables

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Cooking oil being poured into a black pan. Text overlay indicates 'cooking oil 2 tbsp'.
  • Add garlic and scallion whites. Stir for 30 seconds.
  • Add frozen peas and carrots. Stir until soft (about 3 minutes).

Overhead view of diced carrots, onions, and peas being stir-fried in a black pan with a wooden spoon. Text overlay reads: "5-7 min medium heat".

3. Scramble Eggs

  • Push veggies to the side of the pan.
Overhead view of cooked vegetables (carrots, onions, peas) pushed to one side of a black pan by a wooden spoon, leaving the other side empty.
  • Add 1 teaspoon oil. Pour in beaten eggs.
Beaten eggs poured into the empty side of a black pan, next to cooked carrots, peas, and onions pushed to the other side.
  • Scramble until cooked. Mix with veggies.
Overhead view of scrambled eggs being mixed with cooked carrots, peas, and onions in a black pan with a wooden spoon.

4. Add Cold Rice

  • Add 1 tablespoon oil.
  • Add cold cooked rice. Break up any clumps with a spoon.

5. Season Well

  • Add soy sauce, kosher salt, and white pepper.
  • Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Cold cooked rice added to a black pan containing vegetables and egg, with sauce being drizzled over and mixed in.

6. Finish & Serve

  • Turn off the heat.
  • Drizzle toasted sesame oil.
  • Add scallion greens

Fried Rice Recipe Variations

Home cooking of fried rice lets people adjust its content according to personal food preferences while also accommodating different dietary requirements. Eggs and protein and vegetables stand as the main components of traditional fried rice however numerous adaptations exist. People following vegetarian diets should choose tofu along with a mix of mushrooms as their protein base for the dish.

A delicious seafood fried rice becomes possible through the combination of shrimp and scallops and crabmeat for seafood enthusiasts. Fried rice enthusiasts seeking spicy flavors should try adding chili paste and sriracha to obtain a hot version of fried rice. You can discover different nutritional rice dishes such as brown rice and quinoa by trying various types of rice in the preparation of this well-known meal.

Pro Tips for Perfect Fried Rice

Mastering the Heat

Using extremely hot temperatures during cooking fried rice creates wok hei which means the smoky essence generated from a hot wok.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

To prevent steam rather than stir-frying be sure to use individual portions for ingredients when cooking in the wok.

Seasoning to Perfection

Before serving wait until the end of cooking because you can easily adjust the sauce and seasoning amounts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid


The process of making fried rice at home remains easy but several errors can occur to avoid. Freshly cooked rice is known to be problematic when frying because its high moisture content makes the grains unideal for this method. A successful outcome requires planning ahead followed by using previously cooled refrigerated rice.

The wrong move involves adding excessive amounts of sauce together with too much seasoning because these items tend to overpower the dish with either excessive saltiness or watery nature. You should add a small amount of seasoning first and then modify it according to your preferences during cooking. Overextended cooking time of vegetables and proteins produces a dull consistency together with faded colors and weakened flavors so keep monitoring the cooking duration to preserve their texture and vivid appearance.

FAQs

What makes fried rice taste so good?

  • Cold rice is key. It keeps the rice from getting soggy.

What is the ingredient of fried rice?

  • Rice, eggs, garlic, scallions, peas, carrots, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.

How to make fried rice in 6 steps?

  1. Prep ingredients
  2. Cook veggies
  3. Scramble eggs
  4. Add rice
  5. Season
  6. Stir-fry and serve

How to make special fried rice?

Add your favorite protein like chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a special touch.

Do you boil rice before frying it?

Yes, but cool it down and use it the next day for best results.

What makes fried rice taste better?

Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and white pepper add deep flavor.

Final Thoughts


Mastering the art of making restaurant-quality fried rice at home is an achievable goal with the right ingredients, techniques, and tips. By understanding the essential components of fried rice, experimenting with recipe variations, and avoiding common mistakes, you can create flavorful and satisfying fried rice dishes that rival those from your favorite restaurants. Whether you prefer classic egg fried rice or adventurous seafood variations, the joy of cooking homemade fried rice lies in its versatility and ability to cater to your unique tastes and preferences.

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