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Skip the takeout! This shrimp fried rice is faster, fresher, and way more flavorful! Juicy shrimp, tender veggies, fluffy rice, and scrambled eggs all come together in one irresistible skillet meal.
A Reader’s Review
This recipe is the bomb. Fourth time I’m making it. I use Royal Blend rice to get away from white rice and love the heartier texture. Thank you for this recipe!
– Shelley
Why This Dish Hits the Spot
- Shrimp that Shines: Quick-cooked shrimp stays tender and juicy, adding lean protein and a burst of flavor to every bite.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks up in a single skillet for easy cleanup.
- Flavor Bomb Sauce: A savory mix of soy and sesame oil makes this sauce SO good!
- Leftovers That Win: The shrimp fried rice flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to.
Shrimp Fried Rice Ingredients
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Precooked shrimp can turn rubbery when reheated, so go with fresh, deveined, and shelled shrimp for the best texture. Raw frozen shrimp also works, just thaw it quickly before cooking!
- Vegetables: Add more veggies to your shrimp fried rice. Try diced peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or sliced zucchini.
- Use Butter: For an impeccable taste, substitute the oil for butter. It adds so much flavor and goodness!
- Sesame Oil: This is a must for the best authentic fried rice flavor! Keep in mind, it’s a finishing oil, not a frying oil. Add it at the end to help flavor the rice!
- Cold rice is a must! Day-old rice is best, but if you’re cooking it fresh, spread it on a sheet pan, cover, and chill for 30 mins in the fridge or 15 minutes in the freezer. Just make sure it’s cold, not frozen.
How to Make Shrimp Fried Rice
I’m telling you, fried rice gives me life! I love it in any form, like ham, pork, or even bacon! This shrimp fried rice recipe is light and a lovely alternative. It’s so easy, and way more budget-friendly than takeout.
- Cook the Shrimp: Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add the vegetable oil and shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Veggies: Returning to the skillet, add the chopped onion and frozen peas and carrots. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
- Scramble the Eggs: Slide the vegetables to the side and then pour the beaten eggs onto the other side. Using a spatula, cook and scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
- Combine with Rice and Cook: Add the cooked rice and cooked shrimp to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil, then stir until heated through and combined. Season shrimp fried rice with additional salt and black pepper to taste, if needed, then garnish with chopped green onions.
Alyssa’s Pro Tip
Increase the Heat: Crank it to medium-high heat when everything is added back into the pan. This prevents steaming and gives you that perfect shrimp fried rice texture!
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- In the Refrigerator: This shrimp fried rice will keep nicely in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- To Reheat: Warm it up in an oiled skillet or wok to bring back that fried texture! Add a splash of soy sauce if the fried rice needs moisture.
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Shrimp Fried Rice
Easy, flavorful shrimp fried rice made with cold rice, juicy shrimp, and crisp veggies. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 small chopped white onion
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
- 3 beaten eggs
- 3 cups cooked rice*
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce more or less to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 1 pound large shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Returning to the skillet, add 1 small chopped white onion and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
- Slide the vegetables to the side and pour 3 beaten eggs onto the other side. Using a spatula, cook and scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetable mix.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 3 cups cooked rice* and the cooked shrimp to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour in 3 tablespoons soy sauce and 2 tablespoons sesame oil, then stir until heated through and combined. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed, then garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped green onions.
Video
Notes
Storing & Reheating Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in an oiled skillet—add a splash of soy sauce if it needs moisture.
Nutrition
Calories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 13gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 736mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1868IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
I don’t like carrot and my husband can’t stand peas, can I leave them out?
We loved this recipe and then we shared it with the family, it was a big HIT! Now when our brother and sister-in-law visit from NC they always ask if we can make the shrimp fried rice. We do not change a thing to the recipe, awesome just the way it is! LOVE It and thank you!
Anytime I’m cooking with shrimp I always brine them for 20 minutes before using.
3 tablespoons of sea salt and sugar to 1 quart of water.
This recipe is absolutely delicious and so easy to prepare! I sometimes add some other veggies and we use stir fry sauce as well as the soy sauce. Other than that I hardly make any changes.
The hubs and I loved it! I cannot wait to try it again with chicken, or any other proteins that come to kind. It was easier than I thought it would be. Made the rice last night in the cooker. It all came together really well.
Thanks so much for this recipe! My husband wasn’t hungry this evening so I reduced the ingredients and made as written. He went back for seconds!! Wish I could have also. Lol. This is definitely a keeper.
I am so excited. I am making this tonight. I love getting recipes from this website!!!
Looks great! How many servings is this recipe?
This makes 6 to 8 cups or servings.
Looks good, I am making this for my family today! Question can I add Teriyaki to this with the soy sauce? Will it make it too salty?
I love teriyaki and it tastes delicious with this fried rice.
I meant to comment previously. I’ve made this recipe so often, its easily become a go to for my family. We have it regularily. I’ve often brought it to pot luck suppers. The empty containers speak volumes!!
OMG. O-M-G…….just made this and it tastes so good. Can’t wait to share this recipe with friends and family. 5 stars for sure.
I love it all thank you so much
This came out so delicious! Lots of flavor. Thank you!
I have never rated on recipe yet on Pinterest. This was waaaaay better than restaurant fried rice! I had to let you and your viewers know. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Do you have a recipe for the Shrimp Sauce that they have at the restaurant to pour over this dish? Just signed up so I’m ready to get going. Also single old woman so if you have any recipes for 1 or 2 people that would be great.
Use long grain rice and add tsp of grated ginger.