Fried rice is a takeout favorite, but it's also quick and easy to make at home. It's a great way to use up leftover rice (cooked, cold rice makes the best-fried rice) and transform boring leftovers into an entirely new dish. The next time you're making rice, just make extra and stash it away. Then, you'll have a delicious, quick-fried rice dinner in no time.
![Basic fried rice](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/sMs7jRHWwHOonpjcuIZN1YTJVhI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SES-basic-recipe-for-fried-rice-695055-hero-07-2a8a9667a6f7486aa0e4d9d85208f705.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
This is a basic recipe for fried rice you can add to as desired. Medium- or long-grained white rice works best but other types of rice work as well. Serve it as a side with leftover vegetables mixed in or as a main dish with barbecued pork, chicken, or shrimp. Once you have this basic recipe mastered, you can feel free to adjust it to suit your needs and taste.
Tips for Making Fried Rice
If you add more ingredients to bulk up this dish, be sure to increase the number of eggs from two to three. This will keep the ratio of eggs to rice well balanced.
"Everybody loves fried rice—especially busy cooks on a budget. It’s quick to make and accommodates nearly any leftover protein and vegetable. This recipe is a great starting point and you can customize it your own palate. I followed it as-is and found it worked very well to produce a simple, comforting version of fried rice." —Danielle Centoni
![Basic fried rice in a white bowl](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/FHkdpjwas70u1M6Emqu3exU3fY8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/basic-recipe-for-fried-rice-695055-d-centoni-20201-e66c5bf47fa946c18be948fe364d0fcb.jpg)
Ingredients
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2 large eggs
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 teaspoon salt
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3 tablespoons oil, divided
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4 cups cooked rice, cooled
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1 to 2 tablespoons light soy sauce (or oyster sauce)
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1 to 2 green onions, chopped
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
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Lightly beat 2 large eggs with 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and 1 teaspoon salt.
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
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Heat a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggs. Cook, stirring, until they are lightly scrambled but not too dry. Remove the eggs and clean out the pan.
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
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Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the cooked and cooled leftover 4 cups rice. Stir-fry for a few minutes, using a wooden spoon to break it apart. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons soy sauce or oyster sauce as desired.
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
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When the rice is heated through, add the scrambled egg back into the pan. Mix thoroughly, then stir in 1 to 2 green onions (chopped). Serve hot.
The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
How To Freeze and Reheat Fried Rice?
Leftover fried rice can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheated in a pan or microwave. If you made a big batch and would like to keep it for longer, then fried rice can be frozen. Let cool completely and transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. Press out the air, seal, and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, add the frozen fried rice to a pan and gently heat it until defrosted and hot.
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- Try another sauce - Another option is to add a small amount (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of XO sauce or thick soy sauce or use 2 to 3 teaspoons of dark soy sauce—these will give the rice a darker color.
- Add veggies - Add 1 to 2 cups total of diced, cooked veggies, like carrots and peas, and/or meat like cooked dark-meat chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp.
- Try brown rice - You can use brown rice for fried rice, if desired.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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228 | Calories |
9g | Fat |
31g | Carbs |
5g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 to 6 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 228 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 9g | 11% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
Cholesterol 62mg | 21% |
Sodium 741mg | 32% |
Total Carbohydrate 31g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 5g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 5% |
Calcium 26mg | 2% |
Iron 2mg | 10% |
Potassium 100mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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