How To Make Fried Rice (Every Which Way!)

Want to know how to make fried rice better than your favorite take out? Using whatever you have in the fridge will still be better than what you carry home.

How to make fried rice better than you favorite take out? Just follow along because making fried rice is so simple, so easy, you may wonder why you’ve never done it. Or perhaps you have, but want to learn the secret behind great fried rice and not so great fried rice.

I use a nonstick wok when making fried rice. That way if I’m making several different batches I don’t have to clean it in between each batch.  However I also have a well seasoned wok that I use for general Chinese cooking.

The first step for making fried rice is having chilled, cooked rice. It used to be that I always forgot to make my rice a day ahead but recently I discovered frozen cooked jasmine rice at Trader Joe’s. Yes, it does cost a touch more than making it yourself, but I figure I make up the savings in not going out to eat!

To use Trader Joe’s rice, thaw it overnight in the fridge or defrost it in the microwave, but make sure you don’t cook it. The rice should still be chilled.

Manservant loves fried rice though we never order it in a restaurant. I find it always tastes old and salty and therefore I always order white rice in hopes that I’ll have leftovers to take home and chill to make real fried rice with the next day.

The second step is figuring out what kind of fried rice you want to make. Hopefully the suggestions below will help you to come up with your own favorite version. I always begin by referring to my favorite Chinese cookbook by Virginia Lee and Craig Claiborne; a classic Chinese cookbook that still holds up well today.

So let’s get started shall we? My fried rice does not contain soy sauce. It contains oyster sauce which I find gives more flavor and less saltiness. That is what makes this recipe different from others, I believe.

Another ingredient that should always be in fried rice is eggs. Scrambled eggs. However if you want more eggs, you could always top your concoction with a fried egg. 

 

 

 

And lastly fried rice should contain something green such as peas or scallions and preferably both. I always keep a bag of frozen peas in the freezer just for this recipe. No need to thaw. Take out what you need and stir them in at the end and they will add some green fresh color to your rice.

Begin the recipe with all of your assembled ingredients. They are entirely up to you. Just make sure they are ready, because once you start cooking this  rice comes together fairly quick. 

That’s about it. The rest is up to you.

Fried Rice Ingredient Choices

Proteins  may include: BBQ sliced or chopped pork, cooked Chinese sausages, ground pork, ham, crisp bacon, cooked chicken or turkey, bologna, SPAM, shrimp, crab or scallops

Veggies may include: Bean sprouts, onion, scallions, garlic, shredded cabbage, mushrooms, fresh or frozen green peas, snow peas, chopped or shredded carrots, green beans, fresh red pepper, fresh hot peppers, canned, sliced, water chestnuts, dried black mushrooms that have been rehydrated

Other items may include fresh pineapple, dried coconut, dried shallots, peanuts, pine nuts, etc.

Seasonings are simple but feel free to add Sriracha, chili paste and I do love a few spoonfuls of chili crunch from Trader Joe’s. Seaweed and togarashi make the rice more Japanese style. Many countries have their own version of fried rice, but the dish is originally from China.

Last night my concoction contained shrimp and pineapple, Chinese sausage, onions, red peppers and eggs. Plus garlic. Which is not necessary, but it is good. This fried rice was made in about 15 minutes once I prepped my ingredients. Fried rice makes a great last minute meal that always satisfies and is a perfect way to use up dibs and dabs of whatever you have on hand.

Make a  rice bar and let everyone choose their ingredients. And if you have now become the teacher in your house, point out where fried rice originated. It’s a good way to add in a geography lesson and no one is the wiser.

Just enjoy and keep this simple. Sometimes the simplest ingredients are the best. And if by chance you are craving fried rice but forgot to make your rice ahead, I’ve got you covered. This recipe is made with fresh cooked rice and contains potato chips and jerky. Just shows what you can do with simple white rice!

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