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.
We love fried rice! Other favorites include the sweeter taste of this pineapple fried rice recipe or this savory ham fried rice.
Table of Contents
Favorite Easy Fried Rice
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 make it into a main dish by adding in cooked protein like diced chicken, steak or shrimp.
We love to serve this along side of Kung Pao chicken or 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.
Key Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with 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
To start, make rice and then chill in the fridge. Add butter to a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add onion and carrots and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in garlic and peas.
Push veggies to one side and pour the eggs to the skillet. Scramble and then stir together. Then you’ll add in the rice.
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.
Tips for the Best Fried Rice
- Cold rice. 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.
- Butter. If you have ever had hibachi at a Japanese steakhouse, you will notice they use butter as it adds the best flavor.
- Clumpy rice. Break up the clumps with your hand or a fork to ensure each grain is fried.
- Use both sesame oil and oyster sauce. Oyster sauce does not taste fishy but does add amazing taste! Add at the end not during cooking.
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.
Love rice? You’ll also love my Mexican rice, cilantro lime rice and coconut rice.
Favorite Dishes to Serve with Fried Rice
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Fried Rice Recipe
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
- 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
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
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I made this last night. It was so good. My husband said it was a keeper
When the hubby loves it, you know it is a great recipe!
It was delicious and so easy to make. I used both sesame oil and oyster sauce for the rice. I also used a frozen pea and carrot mix (I thawed it under hot water). A new family favorite.
That is great to hear! I am glad that you love this fried rice.
I made this with sweet and sour pork and my husband thought it was very good!
That is a great combination! Glad your hubby enjoyed it too!
I doubled the veggies, butter….well and everything and it tastes so good 👍 😋
I didn’t see the part that explains 1 1/4 of rice makes 4 cups so I made 4 cups of rice but thats okay since we are rice lovers, I’ll freeze the leftover rice and have it again, another time. 😋
That sounds perfect! Glad that you have leftovers for another delicious meal!
Loved even by people who are not „crazy “ about rice.
Yay! That is always a win!
I’ve only ever tried once before to make fried rice and somehow it was a disaster. This time, I used this recipe since it looked simple enough and it turned out amazing!!!! It was a big hit. Thanks for this!
So glad that it turned out for you! Thanks for your review!
I made this recipe without the peas and sesame oil because I didn’t have any but it was still delicious!! I cooked my rice the day before and I make mine with sweet corn therefore my fried rice had a tiny bit of sweetness to it which was even better!!!
Do you have to put the rice in the fridge or can it go straight into the vegetable mixture got off the stove?
Leftover rice is best. If you are using freshly made rice you will want it to be cooled down ahead of time.
I made this and used 3 eggs. Then also cooked a pork loin separate and cut some of it up to put in the rice. I used 2 cups of uncooked rice, that made about 4 cups of cooked rice. Soaked the rice in water overnight. Used long grain brown rice. It makes a lot.
I didn’t need as much as suggested but this was great! Quick and easy to make! I will be making this again. My 14 year old grandson inhaled it. lol
That is great to hear! Thank you for your review.
Love this recipe! It explains everything step by step and includes photos. I never knew you should chill the cooked white rice before adding it to the other ingredients. My family asked for seconds!
Glad you and your family liked it, Marie.
I am so glad that I came across this recipe. It’s easy and delicious.
This was super easy to follow and turned out great!
Not only is it delicious but so easy to make. The only thing different was I used 3 cups of rice instead of 4 cups.
Made this tonight! It was so easy and so yummy! My family loved it!! Thank you!
Yummy recipe! Thank you. I added some leftover diced chicken and it was perfect!
Sounds perfect! So glad you enjoyed the fried rice!
Very good – easy to follow recipe!
Glad you enjoyed the fried rice recipe :)
Such a good staple recipe!! So delicious!