Fried Rice is a beloved Chinese rice dish, famously served as a comforting side or a satisfying main course, often associated with takeout cuisine. At its heart, it’s a stir-fried dish, traditionally prepared in a large, blazing hot wok. However, you can achieve excellent results with a sturdy cast-iron skillet or a large sauté pan. The core ingredients typically include cooked rice and eggs, which are expertly combined with mixed vegetables such as peas, diced onions, and scallions. Many recipes also feature proteins like chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or even tofu, making it a versatile meal that can be customized to your preference. The beauty of fried rice lies in its ability to transform simple leftovers into something truly spectacular.

Essential Ingredients for Delicious Fried Rice:

• Cooked Rice: This is the superstar! Day-old, chilled, and slightly dried-out rice is paramount for achieving the perfect fried rice texture. Freshly cooked, warm rice tends to be too moist, leading to a clumpy or mushy result. If you must use fresh rice, ensure it’s spread out and cooled completely, ideally in the refrigerator for a few hours, to remove excess moisture.
• Eggs: Fresh eggs contribute to the delightful fluffiness of fried rice. A pro tip from Chef Jet Tila suggests starting with oil, then quickly scrambling eggs directly in the pan. While the eggs are still slightly wet, add your cooked rice and stir vigorously to coat the rice grains. The protein in the eggs helps create a non-stick surface and beautifully coats each grain without needing excessive extra oil.
• Onion: Diced or finely cubed onions provide a crucial aromatic base and a pleasant textural contrast. They are typically added early in the cooking process to soften and release their sweet, savory flavors.
• Sugar: A small amount of sugar is a game-changer! It perfectly balances the saltiness of the soy sauce, adding a subtle sweetness that rounds out the overall flavor profile of the dish, creating that authentic takeout taste.
• Soy Sauce: The primary flavoring agent, soy sauce acts as both a seasoning and coloring agent. It imparts a deep umami flavor and that characteristic brown hue, eliminating the need for other complex seasonings or broths. Its robust, salty profile means you typically won’t need to add extra salt.
• Peas: Frozen peas are a classic and optional addition, adding a pop of color and sweetness. They should be added towards the end of cooking. Alternatively, fresh scallions can be stirred in for a milder, oniony freshness.
• White Pepper: If desired, a dash of white pepper adds a subtle, earthy warmth that is common in many authentic Chinese dishes. It’s a great finishing touch.

Serve this versatile dish as a fantastic side to iconic Chinese mains like General Tso’s Chicken or Orange Chicken.

Achieving perfect homemade fried rice is all about speed and high heat. Here’s how to master it:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by thoroughly heating your wok or large skillet over high heat with a generous amount of oil. This intense heat is crucial for achieving that characteristic “wok hei” (breath of the wok) and ensuring ingredients cook quickly and evenly without steaming.
2. Scramble and Coat with Eggs: Pour your lightly beaten eggs into the hot oil. As soon as they begin to set but are still slightly wet, add your cold, day-old rice. Quickly stir and toss, ensuring each grain of rice is coated with the eggs. This technique helps separate the grains and gives the rice a fluffy texture. (Some prefer to scramble eggs separately and add them later; either method works, but Tila’s method saves a step and imparts a beautiful coating).
3. Incorporate Aromatics and Vegetables: Next, add your diced onion and any other desired vegetables like peas or carrots. Stir-fry constantly to combine them with the rice and eggs, allowing them to cook through and release their flavors.
4. Season the Rice: Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle with sugar. Continue to stir-fry vigorously. The soy sauce will immediately impart color and deep umami flavor, while the sugar will balance the saltiness and aid in caramelization.
5. Caramelize to Perfection: Keep stir-frying for 4-5 minutes, allowing the rice to caramelize slightly and develop a beautiful deep brown hue and a slightly crispy texture. Ensure everything is well combined and heated through.
6. Finish and Garnish: Remove the pan from the heat. If using, stir in fresh scallions or green onions for a final burst of freshness and color.
7. Taste and Adjust: Always taste your fried rice before serving. If it tastes too salty, add a tiny bit more sugar. If it’s too sweet, a splash more soy sauce can balance it out.
8. Serve Immediately: Fried rice is best enjoyed hot and fresh! Serve it as a delicious side or a satisfying main dish.

For the quintessential fried rice experience, opt for a medium or long-grain white rice. Jasmine rice is a top choice due to its slightly firm texture and fragrant aroma, which holds up well to stir-frying. Basmati rice is another excellent option. The most critical factor, however, isn’t just the type of rice but its condition: it absolutely must be cooked, cooled, and preferably day-old. This ensures the individual grains are firm and separate, preventing the fried rice from becoming mushy. So, prepare your favorite white rice a day in advance, let it cool completely, and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to transform it into this amazing dish!

Fried rice is incredibly versatile, making it easy to tailor to your taste and what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different proteins, vegetables, and even fruits to create your perfect bowl!

• Meat-Lover’s Options: For a hearty meal, simply sauté your favorite protein – such as diced pork, thinly sliced beef, or cubed chicken – before adding the rice. Cook until it’s almost done, then set aside and add it back in with the rice and vegetables.
• Seafood Delight: Shrimp fried rice is a popular choice! Add cooked shrimp towards the end of the cooking process to avoid overcooking.
• Vegetable Medley: Beyond peas and onions, consider adding finely diced carrots, bell peppers, corn, broccoli florets, or mushrooms. Always add harder vegetables earlier to ensure they cook through.
• Exotic Flavors:
  • Kimchi Fried Rice: For a Korean twist, add chopped kimchi and a touch of gochujang.
  • Pineapple Fried Rice: Incorporate fresh pineapple chunks and a handful of cashews for a sweet and savory Thai-inspired version.

Looking for a Healthier Alternative? You can easily adapt this recipe by swapping white rice for healthier grains like quinoa, cauliflower rice, or brown rice. While the texture might vary slightly, the delicious flavors will remain!

Fried rice is wonderfully versatile and pairs excellently with a wide array of Chinese and Asian-inspired dishes, making it a perfect accompaniment for a complete meal. Here are some fantastic suggestions:

• General Tso’s Chicken: The spicy, sweet, and savory chicken is a classic partner.
• Orange Chicken: The tangy citrus notes of orange chicken beautifully complement the savory rice.
• Teriyaki Chicken Wings: A delicious and sticky addition.
• Chinese Chicken Fingers: A crispy and family-friendly option.
• Chicken Lo Mein: For a noodle and rice combo, serve it alongside a flavorful lo mein.

You can also serve it with grilled fish, tofu, or simply enjoy it as a standalone meal!

While a wok is the traditional tool of choice in most Chinese restaurants due to its unique shape for even heat distribution and easy stir-frying, a deep, heavy-bottomed skillet or a large non-stick sauté pan will absolutely work for making delicious fried rice at home. The key is to use a pan that is large enough to comfortably hold all your ingredients without overcrowding, allowing them to stir-fry rather than steam. Ensure your pan is heated thoroughly before adding ingredients to achieve the best results.

The beauty of fried rice lies in its adaptability, especially when it comes to vegetables. While you can certainly get creative, some classic choices deliver that authentic flavor and texture:

• Carrots: Often finely diced, they add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color.
• Peas: Frozen green peas are a staple, offering a burst of freshness and a subtle sweetness.
• Scallions (Green Onions): Used for garnish and sometimes stir-fried, they provide a mild oniony flavor and a fresh bite.
• Snow Peas: These can be added for their crisp texture and slightly sweet taste.

Beyond these, consider adding bell peppers, corn kernels, or even broccoli florets for extra nutrition and flavor. Don’t forget proteins like shrimp, chicken, or pork, which are also commonly stir-fried into the rice.

For the Fried Rice:

Step-by-Step Fried Rice Preparation:

• 

  Heat the soybean oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the diced onion and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Next, pour in the beaten eggs, and as they begin to set, immediately add the cold, cooked rice. Stir vigorously to break up any clumps and coat the rice grains evenly with the eggs.
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  Add the frozen peas (if using) and continue to stir-fry for another minute. Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle with sugar. Continue to stir-fry constantly for 4-5 minutes, allowing the rice to caramelize and achieve a deep brown color. Serve immediately as a flavorful side or a complete main dish.

• The Secret to Perfect Rice: Always use cold, day-old rice. Freshly cooked rice is too moist and will result in a sticky, clumpy fried rice. If you’re short on time, cook rice, spread it thin on a baking sheet, and chill in the fridge for at least an hour to dry it out.
• Chef’s Secret for Fluffy Rice: Don’t be shy with the oil when stir-frying in the wok. A generous amount of high-heat oil (like soybean or vegetable oil) helps ensure the rice doesn’t stick and develops a beautiful, slightly crispy texture.
• Customizable Mix-ins: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients! Common additions include diced carrots, cooked chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, tofu, chopped scallions, a touch of minced garlic, or crisp snow peas. Add proteins and harder vegetables earlier in the cooking process to ensure they are cooked through.
• Flavor Adjustments: After cooking, taste and adjust seasoning. If it’s too salty, a pinch more sugar can balance it. If too sweet, a splash more soy sauce will help.

Nutrition per serving