Fried Rice

Simple Brown Fried Rice

Fried rice is a versatile, delicious, and quick meal that can be customized to suit any taste or dietary preference. This version uses brown rice for a healthier twist, offering a nutty flavor and additional nutrients. With easy to find ingredients, and no special technique needed, it is perfect for busy weeknights or as a side dish to accompany something like Mongolian Beef or Orange Chicken.

What You Need for Fried Rice

• Cooked brown rice (preferably day-old)
• Vegetable oil
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, corn)
• Eggs, lightly beaten
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce (optional)
• Green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Fried Rice

1. Prepare Ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
2. Heat Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Cook Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
4. Add Rice: Add the cooked brown rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir everything together. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes to get some crispy bits.
5. Season: Pour the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) over the rice mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook until they are tender.
7. Scramble Eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.
8. Finish: Garnish with sliced green onions and give the fried rice one final stir. Serve hot.

Variations

1. Protein-Packed: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, ham, or tofu for a protein boost.
2. Spicy Kick: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
3. Extra Veggies: Incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas. If adding veggies, stir fry veggies until almost cooked through before adding the rice.
4. Garnishes: Top with sesame seeds, cilantro, or a drizzle of sesame oil for extra flavor.

Tips

• Use Day-Old Rice: Day-old rice works best for fried rice as it’s less sticky and holds up better in the skillet. It will let you get that crispy texture on some of the pieces that makes fried rice so good.
• High Heat: Cook over high heat to get that classic, slightly crispy texture.
• Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking, as the process goes quickly. This is one of those recipes that comes together in just a few minutes of cook time.
• Soy Sauce Substitute: For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Or Braggs Liquid Aminos

FAQs

Can I use freshly cooked rice? Yes, but day-old rice is preferred because it’s drier and less likely to turn mushy. If you use freshly cooked rice, try to spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry out a bit before using.

Is brown rice better for you than white rice? Yes, brown rice is a whole grain and contains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to white rice.

Can I make this recipe vegan? Absolutely! Simply omit the eggs or use a vegan egg substitute. Ensure all your sauces are also vegan-friendly.

What to Serve with Fried Rice

Fried rice is a versatile dish that can be served as a main or side. Here are some ideas to complement your meal:

• Grilled Chicken: Pair with grilled or roasted chicken for a balanced meal.
• Stir-Fried Vegetables: Serve alongside a colorful stir-fry for extra veggies.
• Egg Rolls: Add some crunch with homemade or store-bought egg rolls.
• Asian-Inspired Salad: A fresh, crisp Asian salad with a tangy sesame dressing works perfectly.

Enjoy this simple, healthy, and delicious fried rice recipe that you can whip up in no time!

This is such a great recipe because it uses leftover rice, and frozen veggies, so for busy days, it literally has less than a minute of prep time, and under 15 minutes of cook time.  I love to throw fresh veggies in as well, whatever I have on hand. And I sub Braggs Liquid Aminos for the soy sauce for a healthier option. You can also use quinoa instead of rice if you want.

Other Great Recipes:

• Honey Sesame Chicken with Broccoli
• Cashew Chicken
• Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
• Mongolian Beef Meatballs (Crock Pot and Instant Pot)
• Asian Lemon Chicken
• Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Fried Rice

A simple fried rice recipe that cooks quickly with only a few minutes of prep work.

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Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked brown rice day-old
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables e.g., peas, carrots, corn
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce optional
• 2 green onions sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Prepare Ingredients: Make sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go before you start cooking.
• Heat Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
• Cook Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
• Add Rice: Add the cooked brown rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir everything together. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes to get some crispy bits.
• Season: Pour the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) over the rice mixture. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add Vegetables: Stir in the mixed vegetables and cook until they are tender.
• Scramble Eggs: Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.
• Finish: Garnish with sliced green onions and give the fried rice one final stir. Serve hot.

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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