This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.
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, 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.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
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.
Thanks for the recipe – it works well and tastes great. This is a variation that some people may want to try, make your rice with the juice from another dish. For example, I used the sauce (water, spices, and meat drippings) from a pork roast that I made in a crock pot. It gave the rice a faint, spicy pork flavor that made the fried rice even better.
Not sure why this is called Easy Fried Rice. All fried rice is easy. If you wanted to make this Japanese style instead of Chinese, just add a little white pepper and garlic salt to taste. I like to add leftover cooked salmon to mine!
That sounds delicious.
I’m making this right now. Basically what I figured it was but glad I found it here to verify. This beats me going out and spending $15 on Chinese food when I really just wanted fried rice. 😉
This was incredibly easy and came out fantastic! I’m definitely not skilled at cooking and if I can do it, anyone can! I will definitely attempt the sweet and sour chicken next!
I thought I had messed up the rice (it didn’t seem cooked when I put it in the fridge), but I added a little extra soy and it was perfect!
Thought it was a simple but very good recipe. I added beef to mine. Next time I may try a different oil with the beef but it was a very fine recipe
Hello Alyssa
I’m going to try this recipe with brown rice and want to add strips of pork chops. Can I simply fry the chops and then proceed with the recipe? This sounds amazing
Thank you
Made this rice with your sweet and sour chicken and was very happy I did. I thought both recipes where easy to follow and easy to complete. The only thing I did different is the way I dredged the chicken. I like a thicker coating so I stuck with dry, wet, dry for dredging. Great recipes though. Thank you
Do I have to use sesame oil? My daughter has an allergy what other alternative would you recommend?
The sesame oil gives it that authentic flavor but you would be fine with frying it in some vegetable oil. 🙂 It will still be delish!
Why do you use frozen carrots instead of fresh? Whats the difference in making this to use fresh ones? Dont want to have to go to the store for one item…
If you use fresh they will just have to be fork tender when you add it to the rice. 🙂
is that 1/2 CUP or BAG of frozen peas and carrots?
1/2 cup but you can add as many as you would like!
I tried this and LOVED it!
That honestly an amazing reciepe period .
so , easy and quick and so delicious thank you . i will try all yours
Yes, I make fried rice now and thanks a lot for this tips.
How many servings does this rice make?
I would say 6-8.
What is the serving size?
I would say 6 servings
I always get confused on this point- is it a 2 cups of rice AFTER its cooked or raw before I cook it? Thanks!!!
You add in cooked rice. 🙂
So double clarify, your recipe uses just one cup of uncooked rice, which turns into 2 cups cooked? Or do you start with 2 cups uncooked which gives you four cups cooked?
It is two cups cooked rice. 🙂
My husband loved it. He told my married kids all about it. Looks like I will be making baked sweet & sour chicken on Christmas Eve. Thank you.