Recipe: The Best Chinese Fried Rice
One easy go-to dinner around our household is definitely a Chinese fried rice dish. It’s pretty simple to make and it really is a crowd-pleaser. There are so many variations of this dish — from using different proteins, to different vegetables, you can make it your own to keep it fresh and creative each time you make it!
What Type of Rice Should I Use?
The most important ingredient in fried rice is obviously the rice. My favorites are basmati and jasmine rice. Never use sticky, short-grain rice since there is too much starch. You won’t get the consistency you want for your final fried rice dish with short-grain rice. It is also important to wash (or rinse) the rice a few times before cooking to get rid of any excess starch.
PRO TIP: Use day-old rice. Trust me on this — day-old rice makes the BEST fried rice. So whether you use leftover rice or just cook the rice a day before, you will thank me once you’ve tried it this way.
What Can I Use Instead of Rice?
If you don’t like rice or are trying to eat fewer carbs, you can definitely substitute cauliflower rice. Most grocery stores sell cauliflower rice premade already (check the freezer section!). But you can also just get a head of cauliflower, wash it, and put it in the food processor until it is the consistency of rice. Super simple!
Storing Fried Rice & Reheating
You can store cooked fried rice in an air-tight container in the fridge for about 4 days. If you know you are not going to eat it within those 4 days, you can definitely freeze it in an air-tight container or a zip-top bag. When you are ready to warm it up, you can simply microwave it. You can also reheat the defrosted rice in a pan until it’s warmed through. If you notice that the rice got a little too dry, just add a few drops of water before heating it up and that will rehydrate it a little.
Add Your Own Twist!
Here are some ideas of what you can add to your fried rice to make it your own:
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Beef
- Salmon
- BBQ pork
- broccoli
- corn
- red, green, or any color bell pepper
- green onions
- onions or shallots
- cabbage
You can really put any leftover vegetables or cooked meat/protein into your fried rice dish. Get creative! And if you have tried making this dish, let us know!
The Best Chinese Fried Rice
Use up those leftovers in the most delicious way possible!
SERVINGS: 4 servings
CALORIES: 410 kcal per serving
INGREDIENTS
1 tsp vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cups frozen vegetables
4 cups cooked and cooled rice
1 block of firm tofu (chopped)
2 eggs
4 TBSP soy sauce
white pepper (to taste)
1 tsp sesame oil
INSTRUCTIONS
1.) Heat vegetable oil in a large pan on medium heat
2.) Add garlic and sauté until golden brown
3.) Add frozen vegetables, cooked rice, and tofu into pan and saute until mixed through & warmed
4.) In a separate bowl, whisk eggs to scramble them and pour into pan with rice mixture
5.) Stir and coat rice mixture with the egg
6.) Add soy sauce, white pepper, and sesame oil and combine
7.) Serve and enjoy!
NUTRITION
Serving: approx. 1 cup
Calories: 410 kcal
Carbohydrates: 61g
Protein: 21g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 82mg
Sodium: 1085mg
Potassium: 323mg
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 1g
Vitamin A: 4740IU
Vitamin C: 10mg
Calcium: 181mg
Iron: 3mg