I love, love, love fried rice! When you combine it with easy and get a simple fried rice recipe, it’s a winner all around!
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Secret ingredients are always a good sign! This recipe has a couple and the extra pop of flavor makes it the best fried rice.
I love using basmati rice when making this. I’ve even used brown basmati. If you don’t have that, try using a long grain white rice.
Try using cauliflower rice if you are limiting your carbs. Shredded cabbage you saute with the rest of the veggies would also likely work.
If you have a super busy day, this recipe is perfect because you can prep your vegetables the day before (or even several days before). You can also use leftover rice because day old rice makes the best fried rice. See, I told you this is a simple fried rice recipe. 🙂
Did you know you can also freeze fried rice? (I wouldn’t do this with cauliflower rice.) Simply make the fried rice and let cool completely. Place in freezer storage bags or food storage containers and place in freezer. Pull out of the freezer the night before or morning of when you are going to use them and let thaw in the fridge. Saute in a skillet for 5-10 minutes until warm
If you don’t mind reheating in the microwave, this would also be perfect to freezer in single serving amounts to pack for work lunches.
Secret Ingredients!
There are a couple ingredients that put this simple fried rice recipe over the top.
- Fresh ginger. Of course fresh garlic is involved, but the ginger adds a little something special.
- Toasted sesame oil. If you’ve never had this, you are missing out! My picky, opinionated 5 smelled the bottle and proclaimed how good it smelled. Do yourself a favor and get some for this recipe and for making the best Asian salad dressings. (I’ve linked to it on Amazon, but I’ve found it at Aldi for a great price before.)
- Sambal. Okay, this is totally optional. My kids don’t use it, but I’m obsessed. It adds a kick and a little extra punch of flavor. I blame my dad for turning me onto this years ago. You could also use siracha (I’ve also found the equivalent of this at Aldi).
Favorite tool!
I LOVE using a microplane for the ginger and garlic. It makes it fast and super easy.
P.S. I love using fried rice to sneak in lots of veggies. 🙂 In these pictures, it’s the amounts listed in the recipe, but often times I add in extra.
Simple Fried Rice Recipe
- 1 cup diced onion
- ½ inch ginger, peeled and minced/micro-planed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced/micro-planed
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 cup frozen green beans
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 6 cups cooked cold rice
- 1-2 cups cooked, diced meat (optional)
- 3 scrambled eggs (optional)
- oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- Salt and Pepper
- Sambal or siracha (optional)
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil (can use butter).
- After heated, add the onions and stir and cook 5 minutes. (Lower heat if needed.) When beginning to soften add garlic and ginger and continue to cook another 3-7 minutes until fragrant and tender.
- Add carrots and continue to saute. After a few minutes add the frozen vegetables and continue to saute until everything is hot and tender. (Add meat at the end of this time if using.)
- Add rice to the pan and stir over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes. Add soy sauce and and sesame oil and stir to combine.
- Take off heat and adjust soy sauce and salt and pepper if needed.
- Add scrambled eggs if using.
- Serve with sambal or siracha on the side.
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Hi Deanna, I love fried rice and I love this one that can be made so easily with what is probably on hand in most people’s kitchen.!
I love making fried rice and this one looks delicious! Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday!
We love fried rice and this looks great. Thank you for sharing at Inspiration Monday.
Your version of fried rice sounds delicious & tempting. WIll try it soon! Thanks for sharing it at Fiesta Friday!
Congratulations on the feature at Foodie Friday. Your fried rice looks sooo good!
This looks very tasty indeed. It’s such a shame my little one has gone off rice since having it at school. I need a trick up my sleeve to convince her back into loving it! Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam linky 🙂
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