EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
Published

  • View Recipe
  • 131

    ratings
  • 91 comments

Easy restaurant style fried rice that you can make at home in 20 minutes! The perfect way to use up leftover rice sitting in the fridge.

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

  • Favorite Fried Rice Recipe
  • Key Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to Make Fried Rice
  • Recipe FAQ
  • Storing
  • Favorite Dishes to Serve with Fried Rice
  • Fried Rice Recipe Printable Recipe

Favorite Fried Rice Recipe

One of my favorite ways to use up leftover rice is to make this classic Chinese fried rice. It’s super easy, flavorful and comes together in just 20 minutes. Plus my entire family loves it and can’t get enough! My kids always go back for seconds.

This easy fried recipe is super versatile. Feel free to throw in more vegetables if you’d like. Mushrooms, chopped broccoli or bell peppers make a great addition. We love to add a sweet taste to it in this pineapple fried rice recipe. Or make it a main dish by adding in cooked protein like diced chicken, steak or shrimp. We love to use leftover pork in this ham fried rice!

We love to serve along side of Kung Pao chicken, sweet and sour chicken with homemade egg rolls. It seriously tastes like takeout from a Chinese restaurant, but is better for you, less expensive and can be made in the comfort of your own home. So easy and delicious!

Key Ingredients

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (3)

Find the fullprintable recipewith specific measurements below.

  • White rice: Be sure to use cold rice. I prefer a long grain rice like jasmine rice. It prevents it from getting mushy and lumping together in the pan. I typically use leftover rice.
  • Butter: Don’t forget the butter. It makes this fried rice taste so good. There’s a reason those Japanese steak houses use a big slab of butter on their hot skillets.
  • Eggs: For this fried rice I like to use 2 eggs. It’s the perfect amount.
  • Veggies:I’m using onion, peas and carrots. You can use a mixed bag to make it easier. Feel free to add more veggies like mushrooms, chopped broccoli and/or bell peppers. I like to add in whatever I have on hand. This recipe is versatile.
  • Soy Sauce: This is what adds the traditional flavor of fried rice and brings all the flavors together. I prefer to use a low-sodium soy sauce.
  • Sesame oil: Although it’s optional, I love the added flavor that sesame oil gives the dish. It gives it more of that restaurant quality taste.

Variations

Protein. You can add in cooked protein like diced chicken, beef, pork, steak or Kung pao shrimp to make it a meal.
Pineapple. Diced pineapple adds a wonderful sweet flavor. Just mix it in right before serving.
Spice. For some heat, you can mix some sriracha into the fried rice.
Kimchi. You can chop some and toss it in to add a major flavor boost.

How to Make Fried Rice

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (4)
  1. Chill the rice. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
  2. Cook the veggies. Add butter to a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots and cook for 2 minutes. Then stir in garlic and peas.
  3. Scramble Eggs. Push veggies to one side and pour the eggs to the skillet. Scramble and then stir together. Then you’ll add in the rice.
  4. Stir together. Gently stir and then add soy sauce and toss to coat. S&P to taste. If desired, add a dash or two of sesame oil. You can top with green onions if you’d like.
EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (5)

Recipe FAQ

Do you Cook the Rice Before you Fry it?

Yes, the rice should be cooked prior to frying. However, using cold rice is key. It helps it get crispier in the skillet and prevent any mushiness. I love to make a big batch for a meal a couple of days before and save half for later. Use 1 1/4 cups uncooked rice to make 4 cups of cooked rice for this recipe.

What is the secret to good fried rice?

Use cold rice. I love to prep the rice the day before or early in the morning. As mentioned above, be sure to use a long grain rice. It prevents it from getting mushy and lumping together in the pan. Also, use a wok pan on medium high heat with oil for best results.

Is fried rice healthy?

It is much healthier to make at home using this recipe than buying from a restaurant. I wouldn’t consider it a health food by any means and it does have more calories than a plain rice, but most of the ingredients inside of the dish are whole foods, which I consider good food you.

What gives fried rice it’s flavor?

The flavor comes from the soy sauce and sesame oil. You could also substitute for a fish sauce. Seasoning with salt and pepper will also help bring all the flavors together. Make sure to taste as you go, so you don’t overpower the rice.

Storing

Any leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container with a lid. It will also keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Let thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm.

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (6)

Love rice? You’ll also love my Mexican rice, cilantro lime rice and coconut rice.

Favorite Dishes to Serve with Fried Rice

  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken
  • General Tso’s Chicken
  • Chicken Stir Fry
  • Kung Pao Shrimp

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (11)

Fried Rice Recipe

5 from 131 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

Author: Jamielyn Nye

Easy restaurant style fried rice that you can make at home in 20 minutes! The perfect way to use up leftover rice sitting in the fridge.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6

PrintRatePin

Video

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cooked rice , long or short grain
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 large eggs , whisked
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped carrots
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 3 Tablespoons lite soy sauce , more if desired
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil , or oyster sauce
  • Salt and Pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • Place the cooked rice in the refrigerator to chill until ready to use.

  • Place butter in a large skillet or wok. Add onion and carrots. Cook for 2 minutes. Then stir in garlic and peas. Push to one side and add the eggs to the skillet. Scramble and then stir together. Gently stir in cooked rice.

  • Add soy sauce and sesame oil and toss to coat. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve while warm.

Notes

Additions:

  • Can add more veggies like mushrooms, chopped broccoli and/or bell peppers.
  • To make a meal, add in cooked protein like diced chicken, pork, steak or shrimp.

Storage:Store in an airtight container and keep in fridge for up to 3 days or in freezer for up to 1 month.

Note: 1 1/4 cups of uncooked rice makes 4 cups of cooked rice.

Adapted from All Recipes

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 550mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2012IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Categorized as: Asian, Freezer-Friendly, Rice, Side Dishes, Stovetop, Vegetarian

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (12)

Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

Other recipes to try

  • Baked Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
  • Easy Rice Pilaf
  • Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Easy Mexican Rice

Add a comment

91 comments

    • Virginia Rodriguez
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (17)

    Delicious and so easy to make!

    • Reply
    • Zina white
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (18)

    It turned out very well!
    Easy peasy!

    • Reply
    • Heather
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (19)

    Delicious! Added into my recipe, as suggested, red pepper and cooked chicken. Thank you, it was superb! Will make again, and again!

    • Reply
    • Sean
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (20)

    I really like how simple this is. I particularly like how you scramble the eggs into the veggies so they are easily taken up. And can customize however you want. I had some leftover rice that I turned into fried rice in about 15 minutes for my lunch – delicious AND convenient.

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      Thank you Sean! I’m so happy you enjoyed the rice :)

      • Reply
    • Dawn Cummings
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (21)

    Quick & easy. Simple ingredients. This one’s a keeper!

    • Reply
      • I Heart Naptime Community

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the fried rice Dawn!

      • Reply
    • Barbara Milligan
    • EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (22)

    Super easy to make and delicious. I added mushrooms to make a mushroom fried rice and followed as written. Thank you for an easy meal.

    • Reply

Load More

EASY 20-Minute Fried Rice Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

Which vinegar is used for fried rice? ›

Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until softened. Add rice, VH® Lite Soya Sauce, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil.

How do you make fried rice taste better? ›

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

How to make fried rice without it being a day old? ›

To get that perfect day-old rice without waiting 24 hours, the process is actually fairly simple. Just rinse and drain fresh, raw rice and sauté in oil. Add a little less water than you normally would to the pan, and bring to the boil before covering and simmering.

How do Chinese restaurants make fried rice taste so good? ›

The answer: high heat, expert tosses, and something known as 'wok hei. ' As J. Kenji López-Alt writes for Serious Eats, expert cooking with a wok (and the gas range it requires) is one of the main reasons that fried rice from a Chinese restaurant tastes so much better than what you can make at home.

What gives Chinese fried rice its flavor? ›

There are a few different seasonings that make fried rice taste just right. The most important sauces to add are soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce in fried rice. All three add unique flavors to rice, but it can be easy to go overboard. Make sure you add small amounts of each and regularly taste the rice.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar for fried rice? ›

Can you put vinegar in rice? Add a teaspoon of vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar both work) to the cooking liquid of your pot of rice.

Is Chinese vinegar same as rice vinegar? ›

Chinese vinegar are less acidic than their distilled Western counterparts which, for that reason, are not appropriate substitutes for rice vinegars. The majority of the Asian rice vinegars are also milder and sweeter than those typically used in the Western world, with black vinegars as a notable exception.

How do you make fried rice taste like restaurant? ›

To get restaurant-quality fried rice at home, it's essential to use aromatics, a group of vegetables and herbs that are so named because they lend your dish a distinct aroma. Common aromatics that are used to flavor fried rice are onion, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and red peppers.

How to make fried rice 5 steps? ›

How Do You Make Simple Fried Rice?
  1. Heat your wok or skillet to medium-high heat. Pour in the oil. ...
  2. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs then mix them with the veggies.
  3. Finally, stir in the rice and a bit of soy sauce. Serve warm and refrigerate leftovers.
Apr 22, 2022

What oil do restaurants use for fried rice? ›

What oil do Chinese takeaways use for fried rice? - Quora. They use soybean oil. It's cheap and has a high smoke point, making it ideal for wok cooking.

How long to let rice rest for fried rice? ›

Allow the pot to sit on the warm hotplate for 10 minutes to allow the steam to continue cooking the rice. Use a fork to fluff the rice grains and transfer to a large baking tray. Place the rice, uncovered, in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (overnight is best though) before using for fried rice.

What happens if you don't use old rice for fried rice? ›

In fact, it's critical. Unlike freshly cooked rice, which forms soft, mushy clumps when stir-fried, chilled leftover white rice undergoes a process called retrogradation, in which the starch molecules form crystalline structures that make the grains firm enough to withstand the second round of cooking.

How do you speed up rice for fried rice? ›

I spread it out on a baking tray and put it in the fridge to cool for at least 30min or more. I've also put the tray of rice in the freezer when I needed it to cool quicker. For fried rice, it is best to use rice that is cooked a day or 2 before.

How do Chinese restaurants make fried rice yellow? ›

Actually, the yellow colour of the fried rice came from the beaten eggs. The beaten eggs is the one that gives the yellow colour to the Fried Rice. This type of Fried Rice is called “Golden Egg Fried Rice.”

What kind of rice do Chinese restaurants use for fried rice? ›

Which rice is best for fried rice? Pick a medium-grain white rice, which is the standard in Chinese cuisine. A fresh batch of this variety turns out sticky in your rice cooker, which makes it easy to eat with chopsticks, yet it also has the ability to separate into individual grains.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5738

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.