Easy Fried Rice Recipe

Fried rice is a popular dish in many cuisines. It is a great way to use up leftover rice and vegetables, and it can be customized with different proteins, sauces, and spices. Fried rice is easy to make at home, and it can be a satisfying meal in itself or a side dish for other dishes.

What You Need to Make Fried Rice

The basic ingredients for fried rice are:

• Cooked rice: You can use any type of rice, but long-grain varieties like basmati or jasmine are preferred for their fluffy and separate grains. It is best to use leftover rice that has been refrigerated overnight, as this will prevent the rice from becoming mushy when stir-fried. If you don’t have leftover rice, you can cook fresh rice and spread it on a baking sheet to cool and dry slightly before using.
• Oil: You can use any neutral-flavored oil, such as peanut, vegetable, or avocado oil, to stir-fry the ingredients. You can also add some toasted sesame oil for extra flavor and aroma.
• Eggs: Eggs add protein and texture to fried rice. You can scramble them separately and add them at the end, or you can push the rice to one side of the pan and cook the eggs on the other side before mixing everything together.
• Garlic, ginger, and scallions: These aromatics add flavor and freshness to fried rice. You can grate or finely chop the garlic and ginger, and slice the scallions into white, pale green, and dark green parts. You can use the white and pale green parts for cooking, and the dark green parts for garnishing.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce is the most common seasoning for fried rice, as it adds saltiness, umami, and color. You can use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce, or tamari for a gluten-free option. You can also add some sugar to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce.
• Vinegar: Vinegar adds a touch of acidity and brightness to fried rice. You can use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a mild flavor, or chili vinegar for some heat.
• Salt, pepper, and MSG: These seasonings enhance the flavor of fried rice. You can adjust them according to your taste preference. MSG is optional, but it can boost the umami of fried rice.
• Vegetables: You can use any vegetables you like or have on hand for fried rice. Some common ones are carrots, bell peppers, green beans, cabbage, mushrooms, peas, corn, etc. You can chop them finely or coarsely depending on your preference. You can also use frozen vegetables for convenience.
• Butter: Butter adds richness and creaminess to fried rice. You can add some butter at the end of cooking and toss it with the rice until melted.

How to Make Fried Rice

The steps for making fried rice are:

1. Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat until very hot. Add some oil and swirl to coat the surface.
2. Add the garlic, ginger, and scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add any uncooked proteins if using (such as chicken, shrimp, pork, etc.) and cook until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the cooked rice and toss to combine with the oil and aromatics. Break up any clumps of rice with a spatula or spoon.
5. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, salt, pepper, MSG (if using), and any cooked proteins (such as eggs) if using. Toss to coat the rice evenly with the seasonings.
6. Add the vegetables (fresh or frozen) and cook until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.
7. Add the butter (if using) and toss to melt it with the rice.
8. Garnish with scallion greens (if using) and serve hot or warm.

Variations of Fried Rice

You can make different variations of fried rice by changing the ingredients or adding some extra flavors. Here are some ideas:

• Kimchi fried rice: Add some chopped kimchi (fermented cabbage) along with its juice for a spicy and tangy flavor.
• Thai fried rice: Add some fish sauce instead of soy sauce for a more authentic Thai taste. You can also add some lime juice for acidity and cilantro for freshness.
• Pineapple fried rice: Add some chopped pineapple along with some cashews or peanuts for a sweet and crunchy contrast.
• Indian fried rice: Add some curry powder or garam masala along with some cumin seeds for an Indian twist. You can also add some raisins or dried cranberries for sweetness and some chopped almonds or pistachios for crunch.