Do you like fried rice as a side dish but never have made it at home as you think it would be too hard, too greasy, not as good as take-out? Let me totally change all that for you with this Easy “Fried” Rice recipe. This recipe is simple and quick and deliciously homemade!
My hesitation to make fried rice at home is that I don’t really like fried rice, it seems to get hard so quickly, it is greasy, not fluffy and kind of blah compared to the other dishes. Fried rice doesn’t have to take center stage and shouldn’t but it should be a good side to go with the rest of your dinner. For another quick Asian side try our Easy Ramen Stir Fry. Or try our amazing Crispy Homemade Egg Rolls for a treat. Great make ahead too.
We have made this recipe countless times now. Another great hesitation I had is that you need to have day-old white rice, cold rice, or leftover rice they say to make fried rice. Well, unless you have leftovers or plan ahead that really doesn’t work well.
So I thought, wait a minute, one of the reasons I don’t like fried rice normally is that it is hard and stale and not fluffy and delicious, so I set out to change that.
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How to Make Fried Rice Easy Steps
This rice is so good, see it up close and know that the flavors are wonderful. No crazy ingredients to ponder if you would like them. Just easy ingredients that a lot of people will have on hand.
Simple ingredients are assembled. Cook rice according to package in a rice cooker or stovetop. Fluff and leave to cool slightly. Then to a large skillet over medium high heat add in the butter, medium onion, and garlic. Saute until tender.
Ingredients
- uncooked rice, cooked with salt and a pat of butter
- butter
- medium onion
- garlic
- green pepper
- frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- soy sauce
- oyster sauce
- sesame oil
- Green onion
Add more butter to the pan and then saute the green pepper until tender. Add in the frozen carrots and peas that have been thawed and cook stirring.
Now add in that gorgeous fluffy rice to the pan and give it a careful stir. You should have about 6 cups cooked rice as rice triples in size from uncooked. We add two cups for this recipe, which gives you a nice amount of fried rice in the end, about 6-8 servings.
Pour in your soy sauce, hoisin, and sesame oil. Stir well to coat. Top with chopped green onions and serve immediately.
Now wasn’t that easy? And no oil in sight! I think you will like my fluffy version of fried rice much better than those dried out little bullets that you are used to.
What is the Trick to Good “Fried” Rice?
The trick to great fried rice is not oil like you would think, but BUTTER. That gives you the flavor with not an oily feel. You will love this rice, let me guide you through the steps.
Do you want to add other ingredients to this rice? Oh hell, yay, do it!! You can add in cooked shrimp, cooked chicken, scramble an egg, BBQ pork, whatever you like. Feel free to make it your own.
I like this recipe because it gives you a blank slate to work with. I like my rice without meat usually as I want to pile on other yummy Asian dishes on top of the fried rice.
What to Serve with “Fried” Rice?
As I mentioned this Easy “Fried” Rice is not the center of the meal but a great side. So what are some wonderful dishes to serve with it?
Slow Cooker Asian Cashew Chicken
Sweet and Spicy Kung Pao Chicken {Slow Cooker}
Easy Chicken Thighs in Peanut Sauce with Green Beans
Is this “Fried” Rice Healthy?
This “Fried” Rice version does have butter in it instead of oil. Not tons, 2 tbsp. for 8 servings and I would definitely say it is healthier than a take out version.
But if you want an even healthier version and lower carbs too then try our wonderful Mushroom Cauliflower “Fried Rice” with only 1 tbsp. of canola oil and 1 tsp. of sesame oil.
The flavor of this recipe is amazing too!!
What Type of Rice to Use for Easy “Fried” Rice?
Use long or medium grain rice like a Jasmine or a Chinese long grain or even basmati as they all tend to work well. A sweet/sushi rice or glutinous rice will tend to be stickier and softer making your rice clump and get mushy.
Don’t overcook your rice or add too much liquid when cooking. You want your rice light and fluffy.
Homemade Fried Rice
So skip the day-old rice to make your next batch of fried rice. You won’t end up with mushy rice, we never do. You will get wonderfully fluffy flavorful rice that will be awesome with all your Asian dinners. Try this rice today and tell me what you think! Enjoy!
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Easy “Fried” Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked rice cooked with salt and a pat of butter
- 2 Tbsp. butter divided
- 1/2 medium onion finely diced
- 1 Tbsp. garlic minced
- 1/2 green pepper small diced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
- Sauce
- 5 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. oyster sauce
- 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
- 2 Green onion chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package in a rice cooker or stovetop. Fluff and leave to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, in a very large skillet, melt 1 Tbsp. butter and saute onion and garlic until soft. Add the other Tbsp. butter and cook the green pepper for a couple of minutes and then add the carrots and peas and heat through.
- Add the cooked rice. Stir the sauce together and add. Stir well to coat evenly. Garnish with green onion.
- Serve immediately with your favorite Asian meal.
Comments & Reviews
Toni says
This looks really flavorful! My family loved it!
Fatima Torres says
This fried rice recipe looks delicious. I like how many veggies I see in this. Yum!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I can’t wait to try this! I picked up sesame oil last week at the store because I told the kids I was going to make some fried rice this week. This looks delish!
Tara Pittman says
This sounds delicious. I need to make this rice for dinner.