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This Easy Fried Rice has always been one of the most-loved recipes on my site! I have made different versions, but this classic recipe is the one everyone keeps coming back to because it’s so easy and delicious!
A Reader’s Review
I’m a really picky eater so it’s really hard for me to try new recipes but I gave this one a go because it had so many good reviews. I’m so happy that I did! This fried rice recipe was so simple and easy to do, my husband wants me to make this all the time now. I highly recommend this recipe!
Literally The Best Fried Rice Ever!
- Authentic Flavor: The secret to that classic Chinese takeout taste? Sesame oil! It ties everything together for that rich, nutty flavor.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pan, which means less mess and more time to sit back and enjoy the family. Win-win!
- Better Than Takeout: This tried-and-true family favorite beats takeout every time. I even visited my son in college and taught him how to make this recipe so that he could have a decent meal to make himself!
Ingredients Needed
- Cold or Day-Old Rice: Fresh rice gets mushy, so if you can plan ahead, day-old rice will make all the difference!
- Use Jasmine or long grain rice! Short grain? Too sticky. Long grain? Perfect texture. Trust me!
- Soy Sauce! Add a little or add a lot, it’s up to you! Either way, it’s the secret sauce that brings everything together!
How To Make The Best Fried Rice
My Chinese sister-in-law shared some game-changing tips for this recipe, and they make all the difference! Follow this easy recipe to make some PF Chang’s Honey Chicken, and you’ll never go back to takeout again.
- Cook Veggies: Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add sesame oil, chopped white onion, and frozen peas and carrots, then cook until tender.
- Cook Eggs: Slide the vegetables to the side and then pour the eggs onto the other side of the skillet. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, then you can mix the eggs with the vegetables.
- Add Rice: Add cooked white rice to the veggie and egg mixture, then pour soy sauce on top. Stir the rice and veggie mixture until warmed through and combined.
- Enjoy! Top with green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
How to Store Leftover Fried Rice
- How long does fried rice last? Stored right in an airtight container, it stays fresh for 5–7 days in the fridge.
- Can you reheat it? Yep! Stovetop or microwave works best—just don’t reheat it more than once.
- Can you freeze it? Absolutely! Seal it up in an airtight container or ziplock, throw it in the freezer, and you’re good to go!
What To Serve It With
This dish goes with everything! If you love fried rice, try these variations: Bacon Fried Rice, Shrimp Fried Rice, Ham Fried Rice, or Chicken Fried Rice. Looking for low carb? Try Quinoa and cauliflower fried rice.
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Easy Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice *
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 cup chopped white onion 1 small onion
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce more or less to taste
- 2 lightly beaten eggs
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions optional
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet or wok to medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 cup chopped white onion, and 1 cup frozen peas and carrots. Cook until tender.
- Slide the vegetables to the side and pour 2 lightly beaten eggs onto the other side of the skillet. Using a spatula, scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix the eggs with the vegetables.
- Add 3 cups cooked rice * to the veggie and egg mixture. Pour 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce on top. Stir the rice and veggie mixture until warmed through and combined.
- Top with 2 tablespoons chopped green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Man I slurped up that fried rice like one of my hounds chomping into a big ole T-Bone steak. It were taaasstttyyyy! Yum!
my sister and I we are thinking going to cook for our family for 3 days (that will give my mom a brake) and this was one of our ideas so I hope my family likes this.
Sometimes I like to cook to help my wife. I love fried rice and found this recipe. Just made it last night. It was great! She thinks I’m alright :-). Thanks!
What a great husband!!! 🙂
You have a great smile.
The ingredients call for 1/2 frozen peas and carrots, thawed — is this 1/2 bag?
Sorry it is a 1/2 cup. I will have to fix that. You can always use more veggies if you want! I think I use closer to a cup. 🙂
When you add the rice, it should already be cooked, correct?
Yes. Cook the rice first.
How should the rice be cooked?
On the stove or I make it in a rice cooker
Do you use toasted sesame oil?
We just tried this for ourselves and it was DELICIOUS! Of course, we didn’t have day old rice, and had to use fresh, but it was amazing. 😀
Thanks for posting this super easy recipe. We’re thrilled and will definitely be making it again!
This was excellent fried rice! I’m not much of a cook but it tasted like the fried rice at my favorite restaurant. In fact better!
This was the best fried chicken! My husband absolutely LOVED it, especially with the firecracker chicken recipe to go along with!:) Thanks for sharing!
Does it make a difference if the rice is instant or raw Long grain
Nope! Either will work. 🙂
Should you pre cook the rice? or should you just throw it in to the pan raw?
Precook the rice. 🙂
The fried rice was so easy and so tasty. A keeper for me. Thanks!
Just made this right now while the Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is in the oven. It was just missing a little salt and pepper to my taste. But it is Delicioso!
My friend who is Guam and Filipino taught me how to make fried rice. Her recipe was the same except she didn’t use the sesame oil, but used garlic powder, onion powder and pepper instead. The soy sauce gave it enough salt flavor.
This is helpful, as I don’t have any sesame oil on hand to use lol
how much of the garlic powder, onion powder and pepper? (and is that black pepper or red pepper?)
The photo on Pinterest of the stir fry shows garlic, but this recipe doesn’t show it. I just made it, and it was missing something, and I believe it’s the garlic.
Where is your recipe for the “famous chicken”?
It is right here… 😀
https://therecipecritic.com/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken/
Thanks for the great and simple recipe!!!! Came in handy!!
You MUST MUST MUST make this baked sweet and sour chicken. My whole family loves it, but next time I will double the sauce.
When you say 1/2 frozen peas and carrots, do you means 1/2 bag or 1/2 cup?
Sorry it is a half cup
I’m glad I read this! I’m making this tonight and I thought it meant half bag! =)
YUM! Love how easy this recipe is
Homemade fried rice is the best! I can’t wait to try your version!
when she says 3 cups of cooked rice? what kind of rice is she referring to? please someone respond.
Just white rice.
How could I add shrimp
Just cook the shrimp and toss it in. 🙂
White.
I like to use Jasmine rice for fried rice recipes but a regular white rice will work just fine, as others have said. I just like the texture of Jasmine rice in this dish and it’s very fragrant while cooking. 🙂
Sesame oil loses its flavor when heated. Consider using ordinary cooking oil. Add the sesame oil at the end as a flavoring agent.
Love your sweet and sour chicken recipe! Can’t wait to try the fried rice with it!
Thanks for sharing.
It is to die for with the fried rice recipe on this site. My husband and my favorite. I actually decrease the sugar. Had both ways and awesome!!
Meant lessened sugar in sweet and sour chicken.