How to make egg fried rice or a combination of shrimp, steak or lobster inside too if you choose. With eggs and frozen vegetables on the stove, you can use white rice or brown as you like. If you loved our Pressure Cooker Fried Rice but want to make it on the stovetop this is how.
Our easy fried rice recipe can be made in less than 30 minutes. Use simple seasonings or our favorite Asian blend in a packet. Filled with scrambled eggs for protein, frozen vegetables and meat if you like too. (affiliate links present)
What is the best combination for fried rice?
Steak fried rice is great, or adding another protein. These are basic instructions you can use to tweak and go from a side dish to a main meal with a protein of your choice. If you want to add beef I would suggest making our air fryer steak bites and then incorporate those into the mix. I like to dice smaller than if I were eating these as is so it incorporates with the other ingredients easier.
Not necessary like I said but especially if I have leftover brisket or steak of any kind I will dice that up, warm at the beginning and incorporate that too. A great way to use up meat that wasn’t eaten the night before. If it is a bit dry just dice and marinate a bit beforehand in some soy sauce or teriyaki.
Table of contents
How to Make Lobster Fried Rice
If I made Instant Pot lobster tail the night before and have some leftovers I will use that into my creation the next day too. Like I said, I hate wasting food and this can really take on any flavor you have on hand. Seafood is always a great choice when it comes to Asian recipes. Diced up fine this can be added near the end so it doesn’t dry up with too much heat.
- 1 c white rice cooked until tender
- Frozen peas and carrots is usually what I use but mixed works too
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs beaten
- Small onion diced
- 1/2 tsp minced ginger
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp green onions diced
Salt and pepper is a simple add in. If you want authentic flavors though I suggest using one of the 3 packets in this fried rice seasoning blend. You don’t really need a wok but it is handy to have. If not just use a skillet with high sides so everything stays inside and doesn’t make a real mess out of your stove.
What compliments best with fried rice?
Another option if you want to add a bit of sweetness and a bit beyond the “regular” is adding pineapple tidbits or diced Fried Coconut Shrimp. Drain the juices and I go a step further laying them on paper towels so I don’t add moisture. Fold in at the very end with the minced ginger bits. A favorite with my girls when I make this one. We might serve this with egg rolls or egg drop soup.
How to Make Combination Fried Rice
If you are making this as a side dish, typically egg and diced vegetables are added to keep it simple. A bit of soy sauce and salt and pepper works unless you add a packet of Asian fried rice seasoning we love. For a main dish, diced precooked meat is great to add to make it heartier.
Fried rice is typically served as a side dish where special fried rice will have one or a few diced meats included to make it more of a main dish. Both are easy to make with our combination fried rice recipe here.
Below we have instructions in the recipe card to make an egg fried rice recipe. If you need it to be gluten free you can use aminos vs. soy sauce. Rice is naturally safe in raw form. If you don’t like the veggies I used, adding defrosted Frozen Edamame out of the pods is another great choice.
What is the best rice blend for fried rice?
Long grain white is the most common, sushi is stickier which we like. Either way you want to rinse white or brown rice several times and boil in salted water until tender on the stovetop. You can also use a rice cooker or this is how to cook rice in Instant Pot. Typically 1 cup sushi or Jasmine rice with 2 cups water is the right ratio.
- Fry carrots, ginger and onions in olive oil for 2-3 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally until softened.
- some like some finely diced bell peppers too
- Add freshly cooked rice and stir fry. You can boil on stove to fluffy or make Ninja Foodi rice.
- Heat everything together for another 2 minutes.
- Make a well in the center and pour in the beaten eggs.
- alternatively you can push rice to the side and use the side of the pan to scramble on their own, then fold together
- Start mixing the eggs with the rice with a spatula.
- When the egg is cooked, add green peas to the pan and mix.
- Fry everything together for another 3 minutes until they become as tender as you’d like.
- You would want to add your bite size seafood if you wanted to make a shrimp recipe, or fried pork like our Chinese sausage fried rice.
- Drizzle on soy sauce (and fried rice seasoning packet if you choose to add one of those)
- For added proteins you can make an additional rice egg to place on top, over easy so the yolk oozes over the top of the dish.
Now you can use cold rice to make this too. Day old rice may need a bit of moisture in it to fluff up, it is best if it has just been in the fridge for a few hours instead. Use a bit of toasted sesame oil to fry it up and become tender again.
What makes fried rice taste better?
To add a dash of wow sprinkle in some sesame oil or soy sauce when cooking until you love it. If you have the time, use day-old cooked rice or rice that has been refrigerated for a few hours. Cold rice separates better, preventing it from becoming mushy and clumpy during frying.
- Opt for long-grain, cook jasmine rice in Instant Pot or basmati for the best texture and separation of grains. Short-grain rice tends to be stickier and might not work as well.
- Use a high heat setting when frying the rice. This helps achieve that characteristic smoky flavor and prevents the rice from becoming soggy.
- Ensure your wok or pan is properly preheated before adding any ingredients. This prevents the rice from sticking and helps cook it quickly.
- Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or peanut oil, for frying. Avoid using oils with low smoke points, as they can become bitter at high temperatures.
- Start by sautéing garlic, ginger, and onions in the hot oil before adding other ingredients. This infuses the oil with flavor and creates a fragrant base for the fried rice.
- Fry the rice in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the wok. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the rice from getting crispy.
- A combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce adds depth and umami to the fried rice. Be mindful of the saltiness and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
- Add diced vegetables and pre-cooked proteins (chicken, shrimp, pork bites, etc.) to the wok after frying the rice briefly. This ensures they are cooked evenly and don’t become overcooked.
- Use quick and vigorous stirring or tossing motions when frying the rice and other ingredients. This helps distribute the flavors and ensures even cooking.
- Add chopped green onions, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of sesame oil at the end for added flavor and freshness.
- Be mindful not to add too much sauce, as it can make the fried rice overly wet. Gradually add the sauces, tasting as you go.
By following these pro tips, you can create flavorful, fluffy, and well-textured fried rice that is sure to impress everyone at your table. Happy cooking!
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How to Make Egg Fried Rice
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
- 1 c white rice cooked until tender
- 1 c frozen peas
- 1/2 c frozen carrots diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 small onion diced
- 1/2 tsp minced ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp soy sauce optional
- 1 tbsp green onions diced
Instructions
- Rinse rice several times and boil in salted water until tender on the stovetop or in a rice cooker, typically 1 cup rice with 2 cups water is the right ratio. Fry carrots, ginger and onions in vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally until softened.
- Add finished rice and stir, heat everything together for another 2 minutes. Make a well in the center and pour in the beaten eggs. Start mixing the eggs with the rice with a spatula.
- When the egg is cooked, add green peas to the pan and mix, fry everything together for another 3 minutes until they become as tender as you'd like. Drizzle on soy sauce (and fried rice seasoning packet if you choose to add one of those)