Learn how to make The Best Fried Rice Recipe at home! This copycat fried rice recipe tastes just like your favorite restaurant but even better! Loaded with tons of vegetables, scrambled eggs, leftover white rice and my secret ingredient: Butter!

easy fried rice in white bowl topped with black and white sesame seeds

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    BEST Fried Rice Recipe

    Fried Rice has to be one of my all time favorite takeout inspired dishes to make at home. It’s easier to control the saltiness, sweetness and to bump up the veggies when you make it at home! Our family makes this fried rice recipe at least once a week with whatever vegetables we have on hand. It is always the perfect accompaniment to my take out style dishes. I love serving this rice with my General Tso’s Chicken and my Slow Cooker Broccoli Beef.

    Next, I add in lots of veggies! For flavor I add soy sauce and oyster sauce. I also like to add Sriracha for a little kick. This recipe is a great way to work in any leftovers. You can substitute any vegetables you have on hand. You can also toss in chicken, bacon, pancetta or try my Shrimp Fried Rice or Beef Fried Rice Recipe.

    Tips for making The Best Fried Rice

    • Choose the right type of rice: Long grain rice like jasmine is best! Long grain rice has less starch which helps the rice not to clump up or become mushy.
    • Use COLD day old rice: For best results! Cold rice will crisp up in the hot oil. Warm rice will not toast and can even become mushy. If you are in a pinch make the rice first and spread it out onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Pop it in the fridge or freeze to cool down quickly then use as directed.
    • Always rinse the rice before using: This removes the extra starch from the rice and prevents it from clumping.
    • Before adding your leftover rice make sure to break up the large chunks of rice! This helps the rice to fry better in the pan.
    • Don’t over sauce your rice. I know it’s tempting to add more soy sauce or oyster sauce however I always season my rice AFTER adding the sauces with salt and pepper if some extra seasoning is needed. If you add too much sauce the rice will be mushy and not light and fluffy (what we want!)
    fried rice with wooden spoon in a large skillet
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    A keeper! My first time making fried rice, and the result was so much more flavorful than what we have ordered as take-out. This was delicious, and so simple. – J Glaspie

    Fried Rice Ingredients

    • Butter: This is my secret ingredient! This is what they use at hibachi restaurants for their fried rice and has been a game changer ever since I started using it. It adds a lot more flavor and more fat which helps to brown the rice. You can always substitute any other cooking oil if you prefer but I really suggest giving butter a try in your fried rice.
    • Eggs: Are added for protein and are typical in fried rice recipes. You can omit and substitute tofu if you are allergic to eggs or simply not a fan.
    • Veggies: I use diced carrots, onions, garlic and peas. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Bell peppers, zucchini, leeks, corn and edamame would all be great in this!
    • Rice: I prefer to use long grain white rice or jasmine rice. It cooks up fluffy and does not clump together.
    • Soy sauce: I always use low sodium soy sauce however dark or regular soy sauce can be substituted just make sure to dilute it a bit with water to cut down on the saltiness.
    • Oyster sauce: Is a thick savory slightly sweet and salty sauce that can be found in the international or asian section of your grocery store.
    • Sesame oil: Adds a wonderfully nutty flavor to this recipe. A little bit goes a long way!
    overheat shot of fried rice in large skillet with a wood spoon

    How to make The BEST Fried Rice

    • Start by heating 1 tablespoon of butter into a large skillet. Add the eggs and scramble until fully cooked.
    scrambled eggs set aside on white plate
    1. Remove them from the pan and set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter into the pan. Add carrots and onion to the pan and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
    sautéing diced carrots and onions in large skillet
    1. Add in the cold rice and peas and sauté for 3-4 minutes. The rice should brown up a bit.
    stirring in peas and rice to large skillet
    1. Add the eggs back to the pan and stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through. Serve immediately with green onions for garnish, if desired.
    adding in scrambled eggs and sauce ingredients

    Can you make Fried Rice in the Air Fryer?

    Yes! Cooking fried rice in the air fryer is super easy! Simply add all of the ingredients to the air fryer and cook until warmed through. Find the full step by step instructions in my Air Fryer Fried Rice Recipe

    fried rice in air fryer

      Fried Rice Variations

      • In place of the rice try adding cauliflower, quinoa or riced broccoli for a healthy low carb twist.
      • For protein add beef, shrimp or chicken to this recipe. Simply brown the protein first, set aside then toss back in with the rice and veggies once they’ve finished cooking.
      • For a twist try adding chopped up kimchi for kimchi fried rice. It adds the perfect tang and heat!
      • Brown rice can be substituted for the white rice for extra fiber and nutrients.
      • Feel free to substitute whatever vegetables you have on hand. Red bell peppers, celery or broccoli would all be great in this!
      • If you can’t find oyster sauce or simply don’t have it in your pantry you can substitute hoisin sauce or try and make your own oyster sauce. Here is a great recipe for diy oyster sauce!
      • Short on time? This can be made in the Instant Pot! Check out my Instant Pot Fried Rice recipe!
      close up shot of the best fried rice

      Storage and Reheating Instructions

      • Refrigerate: Fried rice for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
      • To freeze: Store leftovers in a large ziplock bag for up to 3 months. To freeze fill up the ziplock bag then lay flat and remove the air. This makes it easy to stack in the freezer and defrosts super fast!
      • Reheat from refrigerated: Reheat leftovers in the microwave, skillet or air fryer. You may need to add a splash more of soy sauce or butter to keep it from sticking to the pan.
      • Reheat from frozen: Allow the rice to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat rice in the microwave, skillet or air fryer.

      To learn even more check out my post on the best ways to reheat fried rice.

      What to serve with Fried Rice

      black and white sesame seeds on top of fried rice in white bowl

      More Fried Rice Recipes To Try

      Recipe

      The BEST Fried Rice

      4.73 from 286 votes
      The BEST Fried Rice. This fried rice is loaded with veggies and only takes 20 minutes to make!
      Author: Kelley Simmons
      Prep Time: 10 minutes
      Cook Time: 10 minutes
      Total Time: 20 minutes
      Serves 4
      Rate Print

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        Ingredients 

        Instructions

        • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter into a large skillet.
          Add the eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
        • Add the remaining tablespoon of butter into the pan. Add carrots and onion to the pan and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
        • Add in the cold rice and peas and sauté for 3-4 minutes. The rice should brown up a bit.
        • Add the eggs back to the pan and stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes to heat through.
          Serve immediately with green onions for garnish, if desired.

        Nutrition Information

        Calories: 379kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 12gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 767mgPotassium: 302mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 5726IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg

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