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. 🙄
Cooked this fried rice tonight. OMG, excellent. I added a tiny bit of salt to my liking. Great recipe. Thanks Nagi!
I’m glad you loved it, thanks so much for the feedback Ange – N x
I find it hard to find a dark soy sauce brand. Was wondering which brand do you use for dark soy?
Hi El, usually I buy what’s available which is mostly Amoy brand – N x
Thanks so much for your reply.
Made this Fried Rice recipe today and it just hit the spot on a cold, rainy, day in November. I needed to use up some sausage meat and leftover jasmine rice from a recent stir fry. This was really good! Much better than when I just try to wing-it! Thanks, Nagi
Sounds great Teresa!!
Hi Nagi!
Everything I’ve made of yours is awesome! Here’s yet another great recipe. Thank you.
I’ve been using microwave rice bags to make this and it works great.
My kids and husband love it!
My new go to recipe for fried rice. So easy and delicious!
Awesome Brooke!
Hi Nagi
Thank you so much for my free ebooks. Id love to get the hard copys if possible. Do you have a link where i can buy them? Ive searched a long time for authentic takeout recipes…..youre awesome. Thank you
Hi Rey, they are just e-books at the moment, but I am in the process of making a hard copy book so stay tuned!
Just wanted to thank you for this recipe. I’ve made it twice now and it’s super versatile with whatever leftovers I have in the fridge. My boyfriend says thank you too =)
YESSS! Totally perfect for a fridge clean out – N x
Is it safe to freeze the fried rice once its all cooked?
Hi Sarah – I do all the time!
I love every recipe I have tried of yours and I also love your doggie.
Thanks so much Sylvia!!
Thanks Nagi – I nailed it. I have to say that the key is the sauce AND day old pre-cooked rice. Have tried this before with different forms of rice (Tilda instant microwave stuff, rice cooked an hour or two before etc) but none work as well as pre-cooked, day old, chilled in the fridge rice. Changed it up a little with sliced mushrooms and pre-cooked shrimp (half a cup of each). Dee lish! Keep those recipes and tips coming girl!
Sounds great Martin, yes day old rice is definitely the key!!
I made the egg fried rice tonight and the sticky chicken wow it was perfect my
husband said I hope you have put them in your favourites .the only thing I added to both was chilies.we will be doing this again .thanks for the brilliant ideas
Awesome Jacqui, that’s great to hear!
Hi Nagi – can I use your “stir fry sauce” as the base for fried rice? I have quite a bit left and want to use it…Thanks!
Sure can Laura, enjoy!
Your recipes are amazing!!! No peas, carrots, corn or oyster sauce but I added some bean sprouts and ginger. My husband has never liked fried rice but he keeps asking me to make this again!
I’m so glad it worked out for you Dalel!
Hey Nagi, do you think this would work with prawns?
I would like to add some kind of meat to bulk it out more. x
Sure would Mia! YUM!
Made this with 1 exception – added grated ginger because I love it. Super good.
Yum! A great addition!
I used this recipe as a base only I increased the portion size! Turned out fantastic. Will definitely cook again
I’m so glad you loved it John!
The Perfect fried rice – had it with prawn crackers and a side of sweet & sour sauce. It was perfect Saturday night TV food!!
That sounds amazing Chivonne!
The best fried rice recipe. Have tried many recipes – this one outdoes them all. Thank you. Used fresh vegetable – corn cut from the cob, capsicum, broccoli and finely diced carrot. I do love my veg. Served with seasoned rump steak. Perfect. 💕
I love rice so going to cook right now thank you
I hope you love it Miriam!
Your fried rice is the best I have ever tried. You rock with your recipes Nagi. You are always my choce when looking for new recipes and lots of yours are a keeper. Thank you.
That’s awesome, thanks so much Marycarmen!