Best Fried Rice Recipe
Posted Apr 11, 2020, Updated Aug 08, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy fried rice recipe is better than takeout! It only takes 20 minutes to make the best fried rice recipe that’s flavorful, healthy and loaded with eggs and veggies!
Fried rice is my husband’s favorite takeout menu item. So I decided it was time that we perfected the art of making homemade fried rice.
Now, we can enjoy it with our favorite Asian-inspired meals (like this cashew chicken stir fry or this crispy tofu stir fry in peanut sauce) without needing to order takeout!
This is seriously the best fried rice recipe you’ll ever try! Sesame and peanut oils give it that authentic takeout flavor, plus it’s easy to make in 20 minutes with just a handful of ingredients!
Fried Rice Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
I don’ really recommend making any substitutions in this fried rice recipe, as I feel like I tweaked it to perfection! However, as aways we’ll discuss some possibilities!
- Rice. Using cold, day-old, rice is absolutely critical to making the best homemade fried rice ever. If you’re planning to make this recipe, cook the rice a day a head of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight (or for up to 3 days). You can also use day-old brown rice, however it will create a less-authentic taste and texture, even though it’s still delicious!
- Sesame oil. I do not recommend omitting or substituting the sesame oil in this recipe. It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish.
- Peanut oil. this is another ingredient that adds an important depth of flavor to this recipe, but if you have a peanut allergy in your household you can easily substitute canola oil or more sesame oil for the peanut oil.
- Minced Garlic. Powdered garlic works just as well as minced garlic if you don’t have any on hand!
- Onion. I recommend using a sweet onion or scallions in this fried rice recipe, but any variety works.
- Carrots. Use fresh, diced carrots for the best results! If you don’t prefer carrots you can omit them.
- Peas. I recommend using thawed, frozen peas. Avoid canned peas.
- Soy Sauce. Both regular and low-sodium soy sauce can be used in this recipe.
- Powdered Ginger. Feel free to use fresh minced ginger instead of powdered if you keep it on hand.
- Eggs. Again, these can be omitted if you have an egg allergy in your family, however I recommend only omitting them if necessary.
How to make Fried Rice
This fried rice recipe is very easy to make, and comes together in 20 minutes! Let’s walk through the steps together and don’t forget to watch the video!
Cook the eggs
The first step in making the best fried rice is to cook the eggs in a little sesame oil. Cooking them in sesame oil with a pinch of sea salt adds so much flavor to the eggs and makes them really shine in the dish.
Beat eggs with a pinch of sea salt then spread evenly into one thin, round layer in a non-stick pan with sesame oil. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until the egg is firm and bubbles appear on the top. Remove from heat, transfer to a cutting board and cut into thin pieces. Set aside.
Cook the Carrots & Onions
Sauté onion, garlic and carrots in 1 TBS sesame oil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook until vegetables are soft and just starting to brown (about 5-7 minutes).
Add oil & rice
Add 3 TBS sesame oil and 1 TBS peanut oil to the vegetables. Next, add the rice, stir and cook on high for 9-10 minutes, or until the rice just begins to brown, stirring occasionally.
To make rice for the fried rice:
If you are making a fresh batch of rice (not using leftovers) to make this fried rice recipe, you will need to make the rice at least 1 day before making this recipe! Here’s how to do it:
- Bring 2 cups salted water to a boil
- Add 1 cup white rice, stir.
- Bring mixture to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Turn off heat, let rice sit for 10-15 minutes, fluff with a fork or spatula.
- Let rice cool, then transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Store in the refrigerator overnight, then use the chilled rice in this recipe.
Add Peas, Eggs & Spices
Add peas, soy sauce and ginger, stir to combine. Carefully add the egg and gently stir it into the mixture. Cook on medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the rice is lightly browned.
Serve
Once the fried rice is nice and golden brown, it’s time to serve! You could serve it all by itself as a main dish, or add some protein (see below for suggestions). It is also the perfect side to just about any Asian inspired meal. Here are some suggestions:
- Add some crispy tofu and make it a full meal.
- Who doesn’t love appetizers like fresh spring rolls and peanut sauce or asian chicken lettuce wraps?!
- Serve it alongside this Cashew Chicken Stir Fry (one of my personal favorites) or topped with this crockpot teriyaki chicken.
- Make the filling for these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps and serve it on top of this fried rice for a delicious combination!
- This Crispy Baked Tofu with Peanut Sauce tastes amazing served with this fried rice recipe too!
- Who doesn’t love some healthy sweet and sour meatballs? YUM!
Store
Store this fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
FAQs about Fried Rice
Here are some commonly asked questions about this fried rice recipe.
The most important criteria for the rice used in to make this vegetable fried rice is that it is chilled completely. I have made it with many different types of rice, here are our favorites.
short or long grain white rice
brown rice
jasmine white rice
basmati rice
Yes! you can freeze this fried rice in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Using cold, day-old, dried-out rice is important for the perfect texture (e.g. not mushy). However, if you are short on time and need to make rice to use in this fried rice recipe the same day, here’s how I recommend going about it:
After cooking, spread the warm rice onto a large baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator or freezer. This will allow the moisture to evaporate and the rice to chill enough to use with decent results!
If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!
Homemade Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups white rice at least a day old chilled in the refrigerator.*
- 4 TBS sesame oil divided
- 1 TBS peanut oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- 1 cup carrots finely diced
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 2 TBS soy sauce
- ¼ tsp ginger
- 2 eggs
- pinch sea salt
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Green onions to garnish
Instructions
Cook the Eggs
- Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a large skillet (at least 10”) over medium heat.
- Beat eggs with a pinch of sea salt, then pour into heated pan and spread evenly into one thin, round layer.
- Cook 2-3 minutes, or until the egg is firm and bubbles appear on the top.
- Flip and cook and additional 2 minutes until the egg is cooked.
- Remove from heat, transfer to a cutting board and cut into thin pieces. Set aside.
Make the fried rice:
- Sauté onion, garlic and carrots in 1 TBS sesame oil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover and cook until vegetables are soft and just starting to brown (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add 3 TBS sesame oil and 1 TBS peanut oil to the vegetables.
- Add rice, stir and cook on high for 9-10 minutes, or until the rice just begins to brown, stirring occasionally.
- Add peas, soy sauce and ginger, stir to combine.
- Carefully add the egg and gently stir it into the mixture.
- Cook on medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until the rice is lightly browned.
- Serve immediately and garnish with green onions.
Video
Notes
To make rice for the fried rice:
- Bring 2 cups salted water to a boil
- Add 1 cup white rice, stir.
- Bring mixture to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Turn off heat, let rice sit for 10-15 minutes, fluff with a fork or spatula.
- Let rice cool, then transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store in the refrigerator overnight, then use the chilled rice in this recipe.
Ingredient substitutions
- Sesame oil. I do not recommend omitting or substituting the sesame oil in this recipe. It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish.
- Peanut oil. If you have a peanut allergy in your household you can substitute canola oil or more sesame oil for the peanut oil.
- Minced Garlic. Powdered garlic can be substituted for minced.
- Onion. I recommend using a sweet onion or scallions in this fried rice recipe, but any variety works!
- Carrots. Use fresh, diced carrots for the best results! If you don’t prefer carrots you can omit or substitute another vegetable.
- Peas. I recommend using thawed, frozen peas! Avoid canned peas!
- Soy Sauce. either low-sodium or regular soy sauce work well. So do coconut aminos.
- Powdered Ginger. Fresh minced ginger can be used instead of powdered.
- Eggs. These can simply be omitted if you have an egg allergy.
Store/freeze
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!
My favorite part is step 7 where it says to make friend rice! Love it as it should be shared.
I am the creator, writer and editor of every recipe on this site. Sometimes I miss typos and I am always grateful when people let me know that they are present in my recipes! I am certain you will make friends if you make them this fried rice though! 😉