Fried rice
Turn leftover cooked rice and vegetables into a tasty and inviting new dish with our authentic fried rice recipe. It also has eggs, nuts, and a savoury, tasty sauce to make it both crunchy and full of flavour. Homemade vegetable fried rice with leftover rice and a myriad of whatever vegetables you have in the fridge helps you avoid food waste and make quick and easy dinners that taste amazing.
Ingredients
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Butter
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10 g |
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Whisked eggs
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3 |
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Butter
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20 g |
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Chopped onions, for example, yellow onion, red onion, or shallot
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300 g |
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Dried spices, for example, hot curry, cumin, or garam masala
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2 tsp |
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Mixed vegetables n small pieces, for example, carrot, cauliflower, leek, red cabbage, mushrooms, and celery
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500 g |
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Cold, cooked rice (from about 160 g dried rice)
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300 g |
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Dried cranberries, raisins, shredded apricots, figs, or other dried fruit
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100 g |
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Thai fish sauce, soy sauce or ponzu
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2 tbsp |
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Coarse salt
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¾ tsp |
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Coarsely chopped peanuts, salted almonds or cashew nuts
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50 g |
Garnish
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Chopped vegetable tops or herbs
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Tips
Give the rice a quick rinse before cooking them to shed some of the starch that can result in a clumpy texture. Place it in a mesh sieve or a colander and run cold water over it for about 1 minute. Stir with your fingers or a spoon to get to all the grains.
Tips
Once it has cooked, spread it on a baking sheet and let it cool and dry out in the fridge or at room temperature so it gets the right texture for this vegetable fried rice recipe. This allows any excess moisture to evaporate, keeping the grains from clumping together so it is more easily fried evenly.
Tips
Have all the ingredients ready and prepped so you can cook up fried rice with vegetables in a flash. Make sure the pan is hot before adding all the elements. That way, everything cooks together quickly.
Questions about fried rice
Making vegetable fried rice is simple and easy if you stick to our recipe. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just learning the basics of this genius leftover dish, you will find everything you need to know about it below.
How to make fried rice at home?
Start by heating a wok or a large deep-frying pan with butter and make lightly scrambled eggs in it. Remove the eggs, melt the rest of the butter, fry the onion and curry for about 2 minutes, then add the remaining vegetables and fry for 4 minutes while stirring occasionally. Finally, add cooked rice, cranberries, fish sauce, salt, and fried eggs. Heat everything through and season to taste. Serve it straight from the wok and garnish with peanuts and a sprinkle of green on top.
How to make fried rice with egg?
Follow the vegetable fried rice recipe with egg and prepare the ingredients according to the instructions. Fried rice with egg is a classic. You need to make a sort of lightly scrambled eggs in the wok or deep pan. Once they have the right crumbled consistency, remove them from the pan and set them aside for later until they are ready to be combined with the remaining ingredients after frying onion, vegetables, rice, and sauce in the pan.
Can you freeze fried rice?
You will be happy to hear that fried rice freezes quite well. To retain the taste and texture, let the dish cool completely before freezing it. Prepare a freezer-safe container and put the cooled dish into the container before placing it in the freezer. You may want to divide it into individual portions so that you can thaw and reheat only what you need. It can be frozen for up to 1 month.
What is the best rice for fried rice?
The best rice for fried rice is white long-grain rice, such as jasmine or basmati, which have less starch and cook up separate, fluffy grains that do not clump together. They absorb less moisture and are less sticky, so it is easier to separate the grains. Stay away from short-grain rice that has more starch and absorbs more moisture, which makes them stick together. These types are typically better suited for sushi or risotto dishes.
Can you reheat fried rice?
You sure can. If you want to reheat frozen fried rice, let it defrost in a water bath first. The easiest way to reheat fried rice is to pop it into a microwave and heat it for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it, or you will end up with a dry and chewy dish. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a skillet or pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil or butter. Regardless of the method used, remember to stir it occasionally to ensure that it heats evenly and to prevent it from burning.
How to dry out rice for fried rice?
Drying out the rice ensures that it does not become mushy or clumpy when stir-fried. Cook it according to the instructions on the package and then spread it out on a baking sheet and let it cool in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This will dry it out and make it less sticky. You can also bake it in the oven or air-dry it using a fan.
Fried rice with egg and vegetables
There is something unbelievably comforting about the combination of fluffy rice, crispy vegetables, and soft eggs. Vegetable fried rice has the perfect balance of textures and rich, savoury flavours in each bite. It is the kind of dish that makes you want to dig in twice. Not only is it delicious, but it is also incredibly versatile, as you can use up leftovers and customise the dish to suit your taste.
Though there are many variations throughout the world, the origin of fried rice can be traced back more than 2,500 years to China. Since then, it has become popular in East Asian and South Asian cuisine. Though it may not be your breakfast of choice, in many Asian countries, it is quite normal to have fried rice for breakfast. So why not give it a try? We are confident you will not be disappointed no matter if you enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Empty the fridge and use your favourite vegetables
Our vegetable fried rice ingredients list may seem long, but everything comes together easily in minutes. You can customise it with your favourite add-ins or clean out the fridge and put your leftovers to good use. For this simple fried rice recipe, we use chopped onions, dried spices, a variety of mixed vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, and cauliflowers in smaller pieces, dried fruit, and nuts. The combination of different tastes and textures makes for a delightful meal you can savour for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
If this easy fried rice recipe sparked your interest in Asian cuisine, you should take a look at our recipes for stir fry noodles with vegetables and peanuts, chickpea curry with fresh spinach and salad cheese, and a tasty sushi bowl with salmon, ginger, and avocado.
Fried rice with fresh or leftover rice
Depending on your preference and what you have on hand, you can make the dish with fresh rice or transform leftovers into a complete meal along with the other ingredients.
If you are making our recipe for fried rice from leftover rice, it is best if it has been cooked and chilled in the fridge for a day or so. This process allows the grains to firm up enough to withstand the second round of cooking and prevent it from becoming too mushy when it is fried.
If it is freshly cooked, it contains lots of moisture that can turn the dish soggy. So, if you are using it fresh, it is very important to cook it first and then refrigerate it for at least a few hours before using it.
Salty sauces and crunchy toppings
We add extra flavour and texture to the dish with nuts, vegetable tops, herbs, and some salty sauces. Once again, you are free to choose which nuts and vegetables to use for the topping. Whether you go with coarsely chopped salted almonds, peanuts, or cashew nuts, they all add a nice crunch and a nutty flavour.
As for the sauces, go with a rich and savoury flavoured soy sauce, which is a classic fried rice sauce, or a Thai fish sauce or oyster sauce that adds a pungent, salty flavour to the dish. You can play around with different toppings and sauces to find the perfect combination for your taste.
Add your own touch
Vegetable fried rice is a versatile dish and, of course, you can change things up and make it with a variety of meats. Some popular options include beef, chicken, and pork.
For beef fried rice, use ground beef or thinly sliced beef that has been marinated to give it a nice tender texture. Pork is also an excellent option for adding a savoury and slightly sweet flavour to the dish. We suggest you use thinly sliced pork loin or pork tenderloin. If you prefer a milder taste, boneless, skinless chicken breast is the best option. The possibilities are endless, so do not be afraid to experiment with the recipe.
You can also make fried rice with brown rice, although it has a chewier texture and thus has to cook longer. Also, because it has a nutty flavour, you may want to adjust the seasoning accordingly, for example, by adding more sauce to the recipe.
