Better Than Takeout Fried Rice
Not only does this easy Fried Rice recipe taste better than any Chinese takeout, but it will totally satisfy any craving for Asian cuisine!
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Not only does this easy Fried Rice recipe taste better than any Chinese takeout, but it will totally satisfy any craving for Asian cuisine! It is a super easy recipe with ingredients that you likely have already in your pantry!

fried rice with egg, carrots and peas in a brown bowl with chopsticks.


Better Than Takeout Fried Rice Recipe

Homemade fried rice is a beloved culinary delight, cherished for its comforting embrace of familiar flavors and aromas. It’s a dish that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, marrying simple ingredients with a symphony of tastes that dance on the palate.

The beauty of homemade fried rice lies in its versatility, effortlessly adapting to accommodate a variety of ingredients, making each preparation a unique culinary adventure. Beyond its flexibility, it carries with it a sense of nostalgia and comfort, often evoking cherished memories of family meals or favorite takeout experiences.

Moreover, the ease and practicality of this recipe make it a go-to choice for quick, delicious meals. Its straightforward, no-fuss approach ensures that even those new to the kitchen can achieve delightful results, proving that simplicity can indeed lead to culinary excellence.

Why We Love Homemade Fried Rice

  • Versatile Ingredients: Adapts to whatever you have on hand, perfect for using leftovers.
  • Easy and Quick: Ideal for busy weeknights, with simple, straightforward steps.
  • Comfort Food: Offers a warm, nostalgic taste that’s both satisfying and heartwarming.
  • Customizable: Easily tailored to suit different dietary preferences and tastes.
  • Family-Friendly: Loved by all ages, making it a great option for family meals.

Egg Fried Rice Recipe Ingredients

better than take out fried rice ingredients
  • Jasmine rice (leftover, cold rice works best for making fried rice)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vidalia onion
  • Minced garlic
  • Frozen peas and carrots
  • Eggs
  • Sesame oil
  • Soy sauce
  • Green onion

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE THIS FRIED RICE WITH EGG

One thing I love about fried rice recipes is that they can be so versatile! They can pretty much be customized to the likings of anyone and any diet! Here are some ways to make your fried rice recipe your very own.

  • Rice substitute: You’ll notice in the ingredients list, that we are using jasmine rice for our recipe. However, you could use multiple types of rice to make this recipe like brown rice or white rice. You could also try using cauliflower rice if you’re watching the carbs!
  • Vegetable substitutes: This recipe can be as versatile as you like when it comes to the veggies! You can add as many or as few veggies as you like. I recommend adding in all of your favorites! I especially love to use veggies like broccoli, corn, green peppers or bell peppers, and chopped carrots in my fried rice!
  • Protein substitutes: This fried rice recipe can be made with or without meat. Sometimes, to make it a bit heartier I will add in chicken, beef, or pork. You could also do shrimp fried rice, which is my favorite.
  • Vegetarian option: This recipe can easily be made vegetarian! Many people like to add tofu to fried rice, it’s delicious! Another great option is making this pineapple fried rice. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend doing so! Just chop up a fresh pineapple and add it into the fried rice like you would with meat.
fried rice in a skilet with peas and carrots and a wooden spoon scooping some up.

How to make Fried Rice with Egg

  1. Prepare Rice: Cook rice according to package directions or use leftover rice. If using an Instant Pot or frozen precooked rice, adjust accordingly. (see note about using cold rice)
  2. Cook Vegetables: In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic, cook until onions are soft (2-3 minutes). Add peas and carrots, cook until partially thawed (1-2 minutes).
  3. Combine Ingredients: Increase heat, add cooked rice, cook for 2-3 minutes until hot and slightly browned. Push rice to the sides, make a hole in the center, crack eggs, and scramble.
  4. Final Touch: Once eggs are cooked, stir them into the rice. Mix soy sauce and sesame oil, pour over rice, and stir until evenly coated.
  5. Serve: Top with chopped green onions, cilantro, or parsley if desired.
cook vegetables in the pan. add rice and eggs into the pan. add sauce into the pan and mix.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST EGG FRIED RICE

Are you short on time or don’t feel like preparing your jasmine rice? So many grocery stores sell frozen rice that is already cooked! All you have to do is heat it up. We love Trader Joe’s frozen jasmine rice and use it in this recipe all the time! 

The secret to great fried rice is to use leftover cold rice. Opt for day-old, refrigerated long-grain rice like Jasmine or Basmati, as it’s drier and less sticky, preventing mushiness when fried.

fried rice in a bowl with chopsticks

Fried Rice Storage

  • To store: Let the rice completely cool and place it in the refrigerator in an airtight storage container for 2-3 days.
  • To reheat: Place the fried rice on a microwave-safe plate or in a bowl and microwave for 1 minute or until warmed through.
  • To freeze: You can freeze fried rice for up to 6 months

How to reheat Fried Rice with Egg

Reheating fried rice is super easy, if you know the trick! The problem with leftover fried rice (or any kind of leftover rice) is that it can get super-dried out. So, the trick is to add a little bit of liquid when you are reheating it, to keep it nice and moist.

Typically I will just add a little bit of water, or if I have it on hand I will sometimes add chicken broth for flavor. You don’t need to add much, a little bit of liquid will go far. Then, just heat up your leftovers in the microwave and you’re good to go!

Other Easy Rice Recipes

How to make Fried Rice with Egg FAQs

Does Rice Have to Be Cold for Fried Rice?

It’s generally recommended to use cold, day-old rice for making fried rice. Cold rice has had time to dry out, which reduces the moisture content. This helps in preventing the rice from becoming mushy or sticky when stir-fried. Freshly cooked rice tends to be more moist and can result in clumpy and soggy fried rice. If you only have fresh rice, spreading it out on a tray and chilling it in the refrigerator for a few hours can help to dry it out before using it for fried rice.

Do You Cook the Rice Before You Fry It?

Yes, the rice should be cooked before you fry it. Fried rice is typically made with pre-cooked rice that has been cooled, often refrigerated overnight.

Why add egg to fried rice?

You can choose not to add the egg to fried rice, but it adds a nice flavor and texture to the rice. It also adds protein to it.

What vegetables can I add to my fried rice?

Common choices include peas, carrots, bell peppers, and onions. Feel free to add any vegetables you like or have on hand.

What type of rice is best for fried rice?

Day-old, chilled rice is ideal for fried rice. Long-grain white rice, like Jasmine or Basmati, works well as it doesn’t clump together.

Can I add protein to my fried rice? What are good options?

Chicken, shrimp, beef, pork, tofu, or eggs are great protein options for fried rice.

How can I prevent my fried rice from becoming soggy?

Use less sauce and ensure your pan is hot enough so that ingredients cook quickly and don’t stew in their juices. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

Great recipes to serve with Jasmine Fried Rice

Mongolian BeefEasy Chicken Pad Thai Recipe |15 Minute Easy Grilled Tilapia RecipeGrilled SalmonGrilled Rib Eye Steak with Ginger Teriyaki SauceBourbon Chicken | Korean Beef Bowl | Sheet Pan Stir Fry

If you tried this Egg Fried Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!

4.96 from 121 votes
Better Than Takeout Fried Rice

EGG FRIED RICE RECIPE

Serves — 4
Not only does this easy Fried Rice recipe taste better than any Chinese takeout, but it will totally satisfy any craving for Asian cuisine!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked jasmine rice leftover, cold rice works the best
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ¼ large Vidalia onion chopped
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • Green onion

Instructions
 

  • Prepare your rice according to package directions. Set this aside. This is a handy recipe if you happen to have rice leftover from a previous meal. You can also choose to make your rice in an Instant Pot or use frozen already cooked rice!
  • In a large skillet or wok, preheat your oil over medium heat and add onion and garlic. Cook until onions are soft, about 2-3 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to keep the garlic from burning. Add peas and carrots and cook until partially thawed 1-2 minutes. You’ll need to adjust this time if you use fresh veggies.
  • Turn the heat up to medium-high and add cooked rice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until rice is nice and hot and starts to brown.
  • Reduce heat and push the rice to the sides of the pan, making a hole in the middle for the eggs. Crack the eggs into the middle of the pan and scramble them in the center of the pan.
  • Once the eggs are cooked, stir them into the rice. Mix soy sauce and sesame oil together and pour over rice. Stir until rice is evenly coated with sauce.

Jenn’s Notes

  • To serve, you can top your fried rice with chopped green onions or you could also use cilantro or parsley as an additional garnish.
  • Jasmine rice can be substituted with brown or white rice
Note: It’s generally recommended to use cold, day-old rice for making fried rice. Cold rice has had time to dry out, reducing moisture content. This helps in preventing the rice from becoming mushy or sticky when stir-fried. Freshly cooked rice tends to be more moist and can result in clumpy and soggy fried rice. If you only have fresh rice, spreading it out on a tray and chilling it in the refrigerator for a few hours can help to dry it out before using it for fried rice.

Video

Nutrition Info

Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 810mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2429IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

This simple and delicious fried rice has become a staple in our house. It’s easy to throw together, even on the busiest of nights and the versatility allows me to create a dish that everyone can enjoy. It’s the perfect, authentic homemade fried rice recipe!

Jennifer Fishkind

About Jenn

Jenn is a mom to three beautiful boys, wife to an amazing husband, social influencer and blogger. I love all things easy recipes, easy crafts, all things hacks, traveling EVERYWHERE and feeding my Pinterest addiction!

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Comments

  1. Very good. I love fried rice. I once had a neighbor who grew up in Japan. This reminds me of her fried rice.

  2. 3 stars
    Flavor was just okay. Tasted more like rice with soy sauce than “fried”. Also, not sticky, not sure if there’s something you can add to make it that way

  3. 5 stars
    Tried this recipe and was told it was better than takeout. It’s a staple now with either shrimp or chicken..thank you.