Rating: 3.59
(77)

Chinese Fried Rice

December 9, 2024

Chinese fried rice is a quick and flavorful dish that’s perfect for using up leftover rice and turning it into something delicious. With its savory combination of rice, vegetables, eggs, and a savory sauce, this dish is a staple in many homes and restaurants. It’s versatile, easy to make, and can be customized with your favorite proteins or veggies, making it a go-to meal for busy weeknights or a tasty side dish to any Asian-inspired meal.

To make classic Chinese fried rice, you’ll need cooked rice, preferably cold or day-old, as this ensures the grains stay separate and don’t become mushy. Start by heating a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil—vegetable or sesame oil works well—and then scramble a couple of eggs in the pan. Once the eggs are cooked through, set them aside.

Next, sauté chopped vegetables like onions, carrots, peas, and bell peppers in the same pan, adding more oil if needed. Stir-fry them until they are tender but still vibrant in color. You can also add other veggies like corn, mushrooms, or even baby corn for added flavor and texture.

Once the veggies are ready, add the cold rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry the rice until it’s heated through and slightly crispy on the edges, which adds a nice texture. Add the scrambled eggs back in and mix everything together.

For the signature flavor, season the fried rice with soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil. You can also add a little oyster sauce or hoisin sauce for a deeper, umami flavor. A pinch of white pepper or black pepper adds a gentle kick, and for a touch of sweetness, a small amount of sugar works well.

If you want to make this fried rice a complete meal, you can add your choice of protein—chicken, shrimp, pork, or tofu are all great options. Simply cook the protein separately and then toss it in with the rice and veggies to combine everything.

Chinese fried rice is best served hot, straight from the pan, and pairs wonderfully with other Asian dishes like spring rolls, dumplings, or stir-fries. It’s a simple yet delicious dish that can easily be adapted to suit any taste, making it a perfect addition to your recipe collection.

Chinese Fried Rice
Chinese Fried Rice
3.59 from 77 votes
This easy Chinese Fried Rice is a crispy, savory dish made with leftover rice, vegetables, soy sauce, and eggs. It’s a delicious and quick meal that’s perfect for using up leftover rice.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cooked rice preferably day-old rice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 units eggs beaten
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots thawed
  • 2 tablespoons green onions chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the beaten eggs and scramble until fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Add the remaining oil to the pan, then add the peas and carrots. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender.
  • Add the rice to the pan and break up any clumps. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy.
  • Stir in the scrambled eggs, soy sauce, and green onions. Mix well to combine.
  • Drizzle with sesame oil, if using, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 7gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 740mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.5mg
Calories: 270kcal
Meal Type: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: chinese cuisine, fried rice, Quick Meals
Cooking Method: Baked
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. 2 stars
    If I put chicken in it, does it still count as fried rice? Lol. Just curious.

  2. User avatar Dan Streetmentioner says:

    4 stars
    Why do you need day-old rice? I used fresh and it taste fine to me. 🤷‍♂️

  3. 3 stars
    It was okay I guess, but my fried rice turned out mushy. What did I do wrong?

    1. 3 stars
      Maybe just cook it longer? I like my rice more crispy, sometimes you just gotta crank up the heat a bit!

    2. User avatar kristofer.konopelski10 says:

      4 stars
      Sounds like you might’ve used fresh rice instead of day-old rice! That can make it mushy. Try letting your rice cool and dry a bit before frying next time.

  4. User avatar lacy.prosacco says:

    5 stars
    This is the best fried rice ever! So easy and quick to make!

  5. User avatar ArabianNights says:

    5 stars
    Yum! This was a hit with the kids. They actually finished their plates!

  6. User avatar Questular Rontok says:

    2 stars
    I tried this but it turned out mushy. Not sure where I went wrong…

  7. User avatar ted.oreilly16 says:

    5 stars
    This fried rice recipe is amazing! Just like the one from my fav Chinese joint. Will definitely make it again!

  8. User avatar jeniffer.reynolds1953 says:

    3 stars
    It was ok, but I think I need to add more soy sauce. The flavor was kinda bland.

  9. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is super easy! I added some chicken and it was delish! 5 stars!

  10. 2 stars
    I messed it up, added too much oil? Now it’s kinda greasy… not sure if this recipe is for me. 2 stars.

  11. User avatar margareta.rosenbaum9 says:

    1 star
    Why do u need cooked rice? Raw rice works fine if you boil it first.

  12. User avatar Jefferey Feest says:

    5 stars
    loved it! my kids ate it all up, and they are picky eaters 👏👏

    1. User avatar Super Saiyan Blue Goku says:

      5 stars
      So glad to hear that! It’s always a win when picky eaters enjoy a meal! 😊

  13. User avatar roger.bernier72 says:

    4 stars
    I didn’t have peas, so I put corn instead. Still pretty good! 😋

    1. User avatar antwan.mayert19 says:

      4 stars
      Corn in fried rice? That’s different, but I’m glad it turned out well for you! 🌽

  14. User avatar francisca.leannon says:

    4 stars
    I added chicken and it made it so much better! Just a suggestion.

    1. User avatar Twana Upton says:

      2 stars
      But fried rice is good just like that! Chicken is too much sometimes…

    2. 5 stars
      Chicken sounds like a tasty addition! I’ll have to try that next time.

  15. 5 stars
    This is the best fried rice I have ever made! Tastes just like my favorite Chinese restaurant. 5 stars!

    1. User avatar tyrone.lynch58 says:

      2 stars
      I tried it too, and I gotta say, it’s not that great. My rice ended up all mushy! What did I do wrong?

  16. User avatar hassan.leannon1993 says:

    4 stars
    Solid recipe. Used brown rice instead of white, and it was still good!

    1. User avatar Torchbugs says:

      4 stars
      Brown rice? Interesting choice! I usually stick with white, but I might give it a shot. Thanks for sharing that tip!

  17. User avatar elise.kozey says:

    2 stars
    My rice was mushy because I used fresh. Do not try that. Stick to day-old rice!

    1. User avatar fausto.schneider87 says:

      5 stars
      Yeah, fresh rice just doesn’t work well for fried rice. Stick to what the recipe says! Day-old rice is key.

  18. 5 stars
    Was skeptical at first but wow, this is easy and tasty! Will make again!

  19. 4 stars
    Do you really need day-old rice? I just used fresh rice and it still turned out good!

    1. User avatar johnny.franecki10 says:

      2 stars
      Nah, fresh rice is fine. Day-old sounds like an excuse! Just cook it and it’s fine, right?

    2. User avatar keely.schneider54 says:

      4 stars
      I always thought day-old rice was a must! But if fresh worked for you, that’s awesome! Maybe it’s just a matter of preference.

  20. 1 star
    Rice ain’t supposed to be fried!! This ain’t what I learned in my culture. 1 star for confusion.

  21. User avatar Colin the Security Robot says:

    5 stars
    This is the perfect recipe for leftover rice! So easy and tasty! I added chicken too.

  22. User avatar curtis.thiel23 says:

    1 star
    Fried rice is just glorified leftovers! 🤷‍♂️ I’m not impressed.

  23. User avatar smartestRedditor says:

    4 stars
    Simple and quick! Didn’t have eggs so I left them out. Still good.

  24. User avatar ashly.krajcik92 says:

    2 stars
    Too simple for my taste. I was expecting more ingredients. 🤷‍♂️

    1. 3 stars
      But like ain’t fried rice suposed to be simple? I mean, just rice and eggs, plus some soy sauce. Who needs fancy stuff?

    2. User avatar Melda Hermann says:

      4 stars
      I think it’s all about keeping it simple! Fried rice is meant to be quick and easy. You can always add more veggies or protein if you want! 😊

  25. User avatar debi.prohaska31 says:

    3 stars
    Ok recipe but it’s not authentic. I prefer takeout! 3 stars.

  26. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious! Family loved it, even the picky eater. Yummy! 🌟

    1. User avatar dortha.wisozk says:

      3 stars
      Yum, but I think it needed more soy sauce. It was kinda bland for me. 😕

    2. User avatar isidra.mills says:

      5 stars
      I made this too! So simple, and yeah, even my kids liked it. 5 stars from me! 🥳

  27. 3 stars
    Followed the recipe but my rice stuck together. What did I do wrong? 🤔

  28. User avatar belinda.hartmann58 says:

    4 stars
    Chinese fried rice is my favorite! This one is good but I like mine with more garlic.

    1. User avatar joanna.mraz43 says:

      3 stars
      Sure, but too much garlic can be overpowering. Just a thought!

    2. 5 stars
      I totally get that! Garlic makes everything better! Next time, I’ll try adding more too.

  29. 3 stars
    It turned out alright, but I think I put too much soy sauce. Next time I’ll try less!

  30. User avatar marquitta.glover45 says:

    2 stars
    IDK, I just don’t understand how people make fried rice with day-old rice. Mine turned out mushy. 😩

  31. User avatar cristobal.rippin78 says:

    5 stars
    Fried rice is life!! I love this recipe! Can’t wait to make it again!

  32. User avatar lilla.okon says:

    2 stars
    I thought this would be better, but it was kinda bland. Needs more flavor.

  33. User avatar ela.mosciski says:

    5 stars
    WOW! This recipe is a lifesaver! Made it with leftover rice from last night.

  34. User avatar leonor.lebsack says:

    3 stars
    I dunno, I’ve had better fried rice at restaurants. This one tasted bland.

  35. User avatar NAFO.SUPREMACY says:

    3 stars
    Do you really have to use frozen peas? I don’t like them, might just be me tho.

  36. User avatar Spriggan Matron says:

    4 stars
    Simple and delicious! Perfect for a quick meal after a busy day. Thanks for sharing!

    1. User avatar wayne.volkman says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This is my go-to recipe when I’m too tired to cook. So quick!

  37. User avatar tova.mayer says:

    2 stars
    I think it was missing something, like garlic or maybe ginger? Just felt empty.

  38. User avatar Mrs. Jacquline Reinger says:

    2 stars
    How can you call this Chinese fried rice if it doesn’t have any meat? Disappointed.

    1. User avatar stanton.walter says:

      4 stars
      You don’t need meat for fried rice! This is a classic vegetarian version. Give it a try!

  39. User avatar jody.walsh1984 says:

    3 stars
    Pretty good, but I think it needs more soy sauce. It was kinda bland for me. I would give it a 3.

    1. 4 stars
      I totally get what you mean! Soy sauce really brings the flavor out. A bit more could’ve made it perfect! 🍚

  40. User avatar antonia.steuber1991 says:

    5 stars
    Easy peasy! I added some chicken and it was FIRE! 🔥

  41. User avatar zena.kunde2013 says:

    4 stars
    I thought it was gonna be hard, but this was super simple. My kids loved it!

  42. User avatar vincenzo.grant5 says:

    5 stars
    This was super easy and yummy! My kids loved it!

  43. User avatar zola.ritchie1972 says:

    4 stars
    Great dish, but I’m allergic to soy so I used teriyaki sauce instead.

    1. User avatar theron.reinger35 says:

      2 stars
      But is teriyaki even close to soy sauce? I don’t think it would taste the same at all.

    2. User avatar kip.torphy says:

      5 stars
      Glad it worked for you! Teriyaki is a great alternative. I bet it added a nice flavor!

  44. User avatar ALTplusF4 says:

    4 stars
    Fried rice is just a mix of whatever you’ve got! Dint have peas so used corn. Still good enough!

  45. User avatar christa.lemke says:

    3 stars
    Eh, I dunno. It was alright but not what I expected. Needs more flavor.

  46. 1 star
    So good but why fry the rice? Only the eggs supposed to fry!

  47. User avatar Wesley Considine says:

    3 stars
    I think soy sauce is too salty in this dish. Anyone else feel the same?

  48. 5 stars
    Yumm!!! 😋

  49. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    2 stars
    Simple but kinda boring. I expected more flavors, maybe some garlic next time.

  50. User avatar devora.dicki says:

    3 stars
    Tastes okay, but I prefer my rice with chicken and bacon. This is missing a kick. Not the biggest fan. 3/5.

  51. 5 stars
    Good recipe. I use the day-old rice too, makes it taste way better. 👍

  52. User avatar fernande.steuber1958 says:

    3 stars
    Very basic recipe…but I guess it’ll work in a rush. Good to have it as a fallback!

    1. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      4 stars
      I totally agree! It’s super easy and quick. Can’t go wrong when you’re in a hurry!

    2. 5 stars
      Basic? Nah, this is a classic. You can add anything to it you like! Rice is versatile.

  53. User avatar tyree.reichel71 says:

    5 stars
    This was sooo good! My family loved it! 5 stars!

3.59 from 77 votes
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