If you’ve ever wanted to whip up a delicious and satisfying meal in just minutes, this Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s the perfect harmony of fluffy day-old rice, velvety scrambled eggs, and a splash of savory sauces, creating a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, this recipe is straightforward and endlessly customizable, bringing a taste of comfort and a pop of color to your dinner table every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role, from the texture of the day-old rice to the vibrant freshness of the green onions, coming together to create a balanced and flavorful dish.
- 2 cups day old white rice: Using rice that’s been chilled overnight ensures that the grains stay separate and don’t turn mushy during frying.
- 2 large eggs, beaten: Eggs add richness and a soft, silky texture that binds the dish together beautifully.
- 1/2 small yellow onion, small dice: Onion adds a gentle sweetness and a bit of bite that complements the savory notes.
- 2 tablespoons frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional): These add a pop of color and a subtle natural sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine (optional): This ingredient infuses the fried rice with a characteristic depth and slight tang.
- 2 tablespoons light sodium soy sauce: Soy sauce brings that irresistible umami and saltiness that’s essential for balance.
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce: Oyster sauce enriches the dish with a luscious, savory complexity.
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional): Adds a nutty aroma and lifts the dish with a fragrant finish.
- 1 stalk green onion, green part sliced (optional for garnish): Fresh green onions give a crisp, slightly peppery contrast in every bite.
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional for garnish): These tiny seeds add a subtle crunch and visual appeal.
- Oil as needed for cooking: Oil is your cooking partner, helping flavors meld and ensuring the rice toasts beautifully.
How to Make Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Rice
Start by breaking apart the day-old rice to ensure the grains remain separate during cooking. You can do this by gently rubbing the rice between your hands or shaking it inside a sealed bag. This step is crucial because freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and clumps together, preventing that perfect fried rice texture.
Step 2: Cook the Eggs
Heat your wok or frying pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble them gently just until cooked through. Remove the eggs from the pan and set them aside; keeping them soft and tender adds that wonderful, melt-in-your-mouth experience later.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, then toss in your diced onion along with the thawed peas and carrots. Cook them until they’re fragrant and tender, filling your kitchen with that inviting aroma and building a base of flavor for the rice.
Step 4: Add Rice and Eggs
Next, stir in the prepared, separated rice and the scrambled eggs. Toss everything together, making sure to break up any clumps and distributing the ingredients evenly. If the mixture looks a bit dry, drizzle in some more oil so the rice gets perfectly coated and slightly toasted.
Step 5: Season and Finish
Pour in the Shaoxing rice wine if you’re using it, along with the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Stir enthusiastically to coat every grain of rice and meld those flavors beautifully. Finally, mix in the sliced green onions for freshness and a lovely touch of color.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Transfer your fragrant fried rice onto a serving dish and sprinkle with additional green onions and toasted sesame seeds if you fancy. Serve it hot for the best taste and texture — simple, classic, and utterly satisfying every time.
How to Serve Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
While the fried rice shines on its own, garnishing with freshly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds adds an extra layer of texture and flavor, making each bite stand out visually and taste-wise. These small touches elevate the dish beautifully without much effort.
Side Dishes
Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Think crispy spring rolls, tangy pickled vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad to balance the savory richness. Add a protein like grilled chicken or tofu for a complete meal that’s perfect any day of the week.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or just treat yourself, try serving the fried rice in an edible bell pepper bowl or molded into neat patties and lightly pan-fried for a delightful twist. You can also top it with a fried egg or sprinkle chili flakes for a spicy kick that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Because this Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe is made with day-old rice, it naturally stores well. Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate; they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When stored properly, the rice holds onto its flavor and texture remarkably well.
Freezing
You can freeze leftover fried rice too! Just let it cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to one month. This makes for an incredibly convenient ready-to-eat meal when you’re short on time or energy.
Reheating
To bring your leftover or frozen fried rice back to life, reheat it gently in a hot pan with a splash of oil or water to restore moisture. Stir frequently until it’s steaming and warmed through. Avoid microwaving for too long as it can dry the rice out; a quick stir-fry is the perfect solution.
FAQs
Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of day-old rice?
Fresh rice tends to be too moist and sticky for frying, which can result in clumpy or mushy fried rice. It’s best to use rice that’s been chilled overnight to achieve the ideal texture in your Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe.
What if I don’t have Shaoxing rice wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing rice wine, you can simply skip it or substitute a dry sherry or a splash of white wine. It adds subtle depth, but the soy and oyster sauces carry plenty of flavor on their own.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, omit the oyster sauce or use a vegetarian substitute. For vegan, skip the eggs or replace them with crumbled tofu or chickpea scramble for a similarly satisfying experience.
Is it okay to add other vegetables?
Yes! Feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms, corn, or any veggies you love to customize this Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe. Just be sure to sauté them until tender before combining with the rice.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?
Use a hot wok or pan with enough oil and make sure to separate the rice before cooking. Stir frequently while frying to prevent sticking and achieve that perfect light texture.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe is a true kitchen hero: quick, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you crave something comforting and satisfying without the fuss. Give it a try and enjoy the delicious simplicity that keeps people coming back for more.
Print
Easy Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Easy Egg Fried Rice recipe is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for using up leftover rice. It features fluffy scrambled eggs, sautéed vegetables, and a savory blend of soy and oyster sauces, enhanced with aromatic sesame oil and optional Shaoxing rice wine. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s a satisfying solo meal or a great side dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups day old white rice, preferably long grain
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 small yellow onion, small dice
- 2 tablespoons frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional)
- Oil as needed for cooking
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons light sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional)
Garnish
- 1 stalk green onion, just the green part sliced (optional for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Rice: Break apart the day-old rice by rubbing it between your hands or placing it in a bag until the grains are separated to prevent clumping during frying.
- Cook Eggs: Heat a wok or frying pan over medium heat with a bit of oil, then pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until just cooked. Remove the eggs from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same wok or pan, add more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion along with thawed peas and carrots until fragrant and vegetables are tender.
- Add Rice and Eggs: Stir in the separated rice and cooked scrambled eggs, tossing everything together and adding additional oil if the mixture seems dry, to ensure even cooking.
- Season and Finish: Pour in the Shaoxing rice wine (if using), soy sauce, oyster sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Stir well to evenly coat the rice and combine all flavors thoroughly. Finish by mixing in the sliced green onions.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the fried rice to a serving dish and garnish with extra green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Using day-old rice is key as it helps prevent the fried rice from turning mushy.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for variety.
- Shaoxing rice wine adds authentic flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity to taste, especially if using regular or low-sodium versions.
- For a vegetarian version, omit oyster sauce or substitute with a vegetarian alternative.
