Get the sauce right and you can make a fried rice that really stacks up to your favourite Chinese restaurant in 10 minutes! This fried rice recipe is super quick, made with egg, veggies and a handful of bacon. But it’s totally customisable – make it your own!
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
Fried Rice
This is a quick, 15 minute fried rice recipe that’s highly versatile. Terrific as it is, but totally adaptable to add what you want.
I’ve used egg and a basic mix of frozen chopped vegetables – because I totally buy into the whole “snap frozen” thing and this is intended to be super quick ‘n easy. Just carrots, peas and corn (still frozen, don’t even need to thaw).
But don’t let my laziness influence you! Feel free to use fresh veggies – whatever you want. Try adding proteins like chicken, shrimp/prawns, tofu.
Because here’s the thing about fried rice: when you get the sauce right, you can put anything into it – and indeed, the Chinese do!
This Fried Rice recipe is a classic side for all your favourite Chinese dishes!
How to make Fried Rice
Sauté flavour base – Start by sautéing onion, garlic and bacon
Add diced vegetables – I’ve used frozen corn, carrots and peas for convenience here, but any diced vegetables will be great
Add cooked cold rice and sauce and give it a toss
Move everything to the side and scramble egg in the wok or pan. It sounds cheeky, but actually, this is a technique common in Thai Stir Fries, like in the ever popular Pad See Ew. It works great!
Add green onion and toss it all together, then serve immediately!
This Egg Fried Rice is tossed with fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, colourful vegetables and a savoury Chinese restaurant fried rice sauce.
Fried Rice Sauce
Here’s what goes in Fried Rice Sauce:
Chinese cooking wine or Mirin (secret ingredient!) – this is the secret to a really great fried rice that truly stacks up to your favourite Chinese restaurant. If you omit these, it will not taste like real Chinese takeout, however, see recipe for the best non-alcoholic subs.
Oyster sauce – it’s like using 10 different sauces, all conveniently packed into one bottle 🙂
Soy sauce – Any soy sauce is fine here (but not sweet or flavoured). Light and all-purpose soy keeps the fried rice a light colour like you get at Chinese restaurants. Dark soy will stain the rice a mahogany colour which is also appealing, and the rice will have a stronger soy flavour which many people enjoy!
Sesame oil and pepper (not critical)
Best type of rice for fried rice
Chinese fried rice is made with white long grain rice. But it can be made with any type of cooked, chilled rice – long grain, short grain, jasmine, basmati, even brown rice.
Every Asian country has their version of fried rice, and use different rices. For example, Jasmine rice is used to make Thai Fried Rice. The Japanese use short grain white rice for Japanese Fried Rice (that recipe is on my mother’s website RecipeTin Japan). And Basmati Rice is used in Indian rice dishes, such as Biryani.
All are tasty!
Why does the rice have to be cold or day old?
The rice needs to be cold, day old rice because the rice dries out in the fridge so the Fried Rice will have the right texture. Freshly cooked rice is too wet so it makes the rice clump together. But it’s still tasty – so don’t not make fried rice just because you don’t have time to chill the rice!
Do I have to use a wok?
Nope. A skillet will work just fine – just make sure it’s a big one so you can toss the rice around without it flying everywhere (the shape of woks is designed especially for wild tossing!).
Fried Rice is so good, I’d happily scoff down an entire bowl of it as a meal. But let’s face it, it’s not the most well rounded meal.
So serve it as a side for any Chinese or Asian main dish, or make a larger banquet. Here are some ideas:
What to serve with Fried Rice
Main Dishes to go with fried rice
Make a meal out of starters
Make a meal out of dishes ordinarily served as starters by adding a side of Fried Rice. Things such Hot and Sour Soup, Chinese Corn Soup, Spring Rolls, Chinese Lettuce Wraps (San Choy Bau) or Egg Foo Young.
Banquet!
Indulge in a homemade Yum Cha (Dim Sum) style banquet with dishes such as Potstickers, Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork), Chinese Steamed Pork Buns, or Crispy Chinese Pork Belly with a side of Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce.
– Nagi x
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 120 g/4 oz bacon , chopped (optional, or use ham)
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups diced vegetables , frozen or fresh (Note 1)
- 2 cups (packed) cooked day old white rice (refrigerated or frozen defrosted, Note 2)
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 3/4 cup green onions , (shallots / scallions) sliced
Sauce:
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (sub Mirin, cooking sake or dry sherry) (Note 4)
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce (or all purpose) (Note 5)
- 1 tsp sesame oil , optional
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil – Heat about 1 1/2 tbsp oil in a wok or 2 tbsp oil in a skillet over high heat until smoking.
- Add onion, garlic and bacon. Cook until bacon is light golden – about 1 1/2 minutes.
- Add vegetables (still frozen is fine). Cook for 2 minutes so they defrost and water evaporates.
- Add rice and Sauce ingredients. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes until liquid evaporates.
- Scramble egg – Shove rice to the side of the wok / skillet. Add 1/2 tbsp oil into the cleared space, shift wok so the heat is centred over the cleared space. Pour in egg then scramble – cook it through properly, don't "soft scramble".
- Serve – Add green onion then stir the egg into the rice. Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally published March 2018, updated with extra information March 2019 – no change to recipe.
Some more quick 15 minute Asian foods
Quick Asian Beef RAMEN Noodles – 15 minutes, made in one pot
Asian Beef Bowls – reader fave!
Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup with Egg Ribbons – so simple, this will blow your mind…
Pork Stir Fry with Green Beans – flavour packed!
Egg Fried Rice – this recipe
Kimchi Fried Rice – packs loads of flavour but not too much heat!
Life of Dozer
I upsized my little 2 seater convertible to a smallish 4WD because he grew out of it and hated the wind in his eyes when we were zooming around with the top down.
All that for a bloody dog, and yet he was so unhappy shoved in the boot, he’d stand with his chin on the back seat so that drool dripped down the leather seats (sorry to gross you out).
I caved and folded down the back seat to give him more space. I find it so ironic that I upsized to a larger car just for him, and yet I drive around with the back seat permanently folded down. 🙄
Absolutely delicious and not at all greasy like take away fried rice.
Thanks for another great recipe Nagi!
I’m trying to get the scaler to work from my iPad but can’t. 🙁
Recipe looks so good and I’m planning to try it.
Ah-hah! I figured out the scaler! I wasn’t tapping on the number. I was taping the comment to tap. Duh!
Sitting here in lockdown in Spain, I made your Fried Rice … supper yummy and from store cupboard staples as I can’t go out. Thanks!!
I just love reading about your furbaby, you have me laughing silly as I am the same with my Payton. He comes first in my life, and me second…….LOL. Would have it no other way either, Thank you for such delightful tales of Dozer as I cook. 0
😂 You’re so welcome Sherry! N x
This recipe is fantastic. All your recipes are fantastic! YOU are fantastic!! Love this rice. Quick, easy, delicious — I make it weekly now. I use ham instead of bacon (makes the recipe even quicker) and Thai Jasmine rice, as it is what I always have in hand.
Sounds fabulous Nancy!! N x
Hello Nagi.
Just found you. Was attracted to your BBQ Pork ideas. Can’t wait to mate it with my TRAEGER. Love the “secret” to your Fried Rice.
Skip
Are you able to translate the cup measurements into grams, please? How many grams is 1.5 cups of rice? Google is giving me conflicting results!! Thanks!
Love to know how it goes Skip! Keep me updated!! N x
This is THE BEST fried rice I’ve tried….and have tried many. It’s the closest to take out, fast to make, can use any veggies you want, and perfect at the end of a long day. I’m a nurse so looking constantly for recipes that are quick to make during the work week. Nagi’s blog has become my go to site. Everything I’ve made has been TERRIFIC!!!
Made the chow mein was amazing.
Absolutely delicious and will make again and again. Thanks Nagi
You’re s welcome Teresa, thanks for letting me know you loved it!
I made the fried rice last night for dinner minus the corn and bacon as I didn’t have, but I did have all the sauces and boy o boy did we all love it. The sauces really do make the rice very tasty. Thank you for inspiring us to try your recipes. I never go wrong trying them. Now on to your next recipe!
Dunia Holleman
Wahoo! That’s great Dunia!!
Hi Nagi, I have made the bbq pork and Chinese stir fry noodles from your site and I am hooked! Great flavors! For the fried rice, is the use of bacon or ham a must? My hubby is a vegetarian (egg is ok). Thanks!
Hi Sharmila, just leave out if you prefer 🙂
This is a really easy and tasty recipe. I just made it for afternoon tea. Really love all you recipes. Thanks so much
You’re so welcome Jen!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. A recipe very interesting to try. I will tell mom to try this recipe. I’ll wait for your next recipe
Awesome! I can’t stop eating it …
I’m so glad you love it Dewa!
I made this Fried Rice and we fell in love . It’s so easy to make and delicious too .it is a favorite go to meal. I will definitely be making it my go to recipe for Fried Rice. 5+ stars.
Wahoo, thanks so much Catha!
dozer made me smile
Hi Nagi, Big fan of your recipes!
I’m thinking of making this as a side for an upcoming bbq along with your potato salad and others!
I know you have list the quantity of servings as a main, however how many people would this cater for as a side?
Hi Sarah, I’d say 6ish as a side 🙂
I made it! But with red bell pepper and zucchini and added left over pulled pork! So double pork fried rice. 😊
YUUUUM!
When I am sick of having a tuna salad sandwich for a lunch at home, I make a fried rice😃 so bloody good👌🏻😋 better than any takeout👌🏻 And so easy to make😊 thank you Nagi 😊
Yum!!
I’ve only started cooking recently (just retired and my wife is still working so I thought it might be nice to treat her to some good Asian food). I can’t believe how easy this was to make and the taste was superb. I’ve now cooked the fried rice, beef and broccoli stir fry and last night was the pork and prawn wonton – They are all dead easy and bloody yummy!
Perfect Mick! What a great husband!