Transform your leftover rice into mouthwatering meals with these 10 irresistible fried rice recipes.
From classic Chinese-style to innovative fusion creations, you’ll discover new ways to elevate this humble dish into something spectacular.
Whether you’re craving the smoky wok hei of restaurant-style fried rice or looking to experiment with Korean, Thai, or Indonesian variations, these recipes will guide you through creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Get ready to master essential techniques and learn clever shortcuts that will make fried rice your new go-to dish.
Classic Chinese Egg Fried Rice
Chinese Egg Fried Rice is a beloved comfort dish that transforms leftover rice into something magical.
This quick and satisfying meal combines fluffy rice, scrambled eggs, and vegetables into a delicious one-pan wonder that you can whip up in minutes.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups cooked day-old rice
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• Salt to taste
Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat. Add oil and scramble eggs until just set, then remove them.
Add vegetables and stir-fry until tender. Add rice, breaking up any clumps, and stir-fry until hot.
Return eggs to the wok, add soy sauce and seasonings, then toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
Pro Tip: Always use cold, day-old rice for the best results.
Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will turn mushy.
Keep your wok hot throughout cooking, and don’t overcrowd it – this ensures each grain gets that perfect slight char and characteristic “wok hei” flavor.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is a vibrant, sweet-savory dish that combines the tropical freshness of pineapple with aromatic jasmine rice and colorful vegetables.
This restaurant favorite is surprisingly easy to make at home and serves as a complete meal or delightful side dish.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups cooked jasmine rice (day-old)
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Green onions for garnish
Heat your wok over high heat and add oil. Stir-fry garlic and onions until fragrant. Add eggs and scramble quickly.
Toss in your day-old rice, breaking up any clumps.
Add soy sauce, fish sauce, and curry powder.
Mix in pineapple chunks, vegetables, and cashews.
Stir-fry until everything is heated through and well combined. Garnish with green onions.
Pro Tip: Always use cold, day-old rice for the best results. Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will make your fried rice soggy.
If you’re in a hurry, cook your rice ahead and spread it on a baking sheet to cool in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice
Craving a flavorful fusion dish that combines Korean and Western elements?
This Kimchi Bacon Fried Rice transforms leftover rice into a mouthwatering meal that’s both spicy and savory.
The combination of crispy bacon and tangy kimchi creates an irresistible flavor profile that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups day-old cooked white rice
• 4 strips bacon, diced
• 1 cup ripe kimchi, chopped
• 2 tablespoons kimchi juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Start by frying the bacon in a large skillet until crispy.
Remove bacon but keep the fat in the pan.
Add garlic and kimchi, stir-frying until fragrant.
Add rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir in kimchi juice, soy sauce, and bacon.
Cook until rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
Top with fried eggs and green onions.
Pro Tip: Always use day-old rice that’s been refrigerated – fresh rice contains too much moisture and will become mushy.
For best results, break up any rice clumps before adding to the pan, and ensure your skillet is hot enough to create those coveted crispy rice bits.
Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice
Garlic Shrimp Fried Rice is a delicious Asian-inspired dish that combines succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, and day-old rice into a satisfying one-pan meal.
This quick and flavorful recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups day-old cooked white rice
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook garlic until fragrant, then add shrimp until pink.
Remove shrimp and set aside. Scramble eggs in the same pan, then add rice, breaking up any clumps.
Stir in vegetables, soy sauce, and return shrimp to the pan.
Cook until everything is heated through, then top with green onions.
Pro Tip: Always use day-old rice stored in the refrigerator – fresh rice contains too much moisture and will make your fried rice mushy.
If you’re in a hurry, cook rice in advance and spread it on a baking sheet to cool completely before using.
Spicy Chicken Fried Rice
Spicy Chicken Fried Rice is your perfect weeknight dinner solution when you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and satisfying.
This Asian-inspired dish transforms leftover rice into a mouth-watering meal packed with tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and a spicy kick that’ll wake up your taste buds.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups cooked day-old rice
• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
Heat your wok or large skillet over high heat. Start by cooking the diced chicken until golden, then set aside.
Scramble the eggs and remove.
Stir-fry garlic and vegetables, add rice and break up any clumps.
Return chicken and eggs to the pan, add soy sauce and sriracha.
Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
Finish with sesame oil and green onions.
Pro Tip: Always use day-old rice stored in the refrigerator – fresh rice contains too much moisture and will turn mushy.
For best results, break up any rice clumps before adding to the wok.
Indonesian Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng, Indonesia’s beloved fried rice dish, combines aromatic spices with savory ingredients to create a flavorful meal that’s perfect for any time of day.
This versatile dish transforms leftover rice into a mouthwatering creation that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups cooked white rice (day-old)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 eggs
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Vegetable oil
• Optional: chicken, shrimp, or vegetables
• Fried shallots for garnish
Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic and shallots until fragrant. Add your choice of protein if using.
Push ingredients to one side and scramble eggs in the empty space.
Add rice, breaking up any clumps. Stir in both soy sauces and cook until the rice is evenly colored and heated through. Top with green onions and fried shallots.
Pro Tip: The key to perfect Nasi Goreng lies in using day-old rice – fresh rice contains too much moisture and will become mushy.
For best results, cook your rice the day before and refrigerate overnight.
Japanese Hibachi-Style Fried Rice
Japanese Hibachi-Style Fried Rice brings the exciting flavors of teppanyaki restaurants right to your kitchen.
This classic dish combines tender rice, fresh vegetables, and savory seasonings to create a delicious meal that works perfectly as a main course or side dish.
Ingredients:
• 4 cups cooked white rice (day-old)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, chopped
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and carrots until tender.
Push vegetables to one side and scramble eggs in the empty space.
Add rice, butter, garlic, and peas, stirring continuously.
Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Cook until rice is heated through and slightly crispy. Top with green onions before serving.
Pro Tip: For authentic hibachi-style rice, use day-old rice that’s been refrigerated overnight.
Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will become mushy when fried.
Also, keep your heat high and your stirring constant to achieve that perfect restaurant-style texture.
Malaysian Sambal Fried Rice
Sambal Fried Rice is a fiery Malaysian favorite that’ll wake up your taste buds and bring excitement to your dinner table.
This spicy, aromatic dish combines the perfect balance of heat from sambal (chili paste), umami from shrimp paste, and savory notes from various aromatics, all stir-fried with day-old rice for the ideal texture.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups day-old cooked rice
• 3 tablespoons sambal paste
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 3 shallots, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste
Heat oil in a wok over medium-high heat.
Fry shallots and garlic until fragrant, then add sambal and shrimp paste.
Stir-fry until aromatic.
Push mixture aside, crack eggs into the wok and scramble.
Add rice, vegetables, and salt. Stir-fry everything together until well combined and heated through. Garnish with green onions.
Pro Tip: Always use day-old rice stored in the refrigerator – fresh rice contains too much moisture and will turn mushy.
Break up any rice clumps before cooking for the best texture.
Vietnamese Crab Fried Rice
Vietnamese Crab Fried Rice is a delightful fusion of sweet crab meat, fluffy rice, and aromatic Asian seasonings.
This dish transforms leftover rice into an elegant meal that’s perfect for both casual dining and special occasions.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups day-old cooked jasmine rice
• 8 oz fresh lump crab meat
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and white pepper to taste
Heat your wok over high heat and add oil. Sauté garlic and onions until fragrant, then push them to one side.
Add beaten eggs and scramble until just set. Add rice, breaking up any clumps, then stir in fish sauce and soy sauce.
Fold in crab meat gently and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Season with salt and white pepper, then garnish with green onions.
Pro Tip: Use cold, day-old rice for the best texture – fresh rice will become mushy.
When adding the crab meat, fold it in gently at the end to maintain its chunks and prevent it from breaking apart too much.
Curry Vegetable Fried Rice
Curry Vegetable Fried Rice is a perfect way to transform leftover rice into a vibrant, flavorful meal.
This Indo-Asian fusion dish combines aromatic curry powder with crisp vegetables and fluffy rice, creating a satisfying one-pan meal that’s ready in minutes.
Ingredients:
• 3 cups cooked day-old rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Green onions for garnish
Heat oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and carrots until softened, then add garlic and curry powder.
Stir in the rice, breaking up any clumps. Push rice to one side and scramble eggs in the empty space.
Add peas, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Stir-fry everything together until well combined and heated through.
Garnish with green onions.
Pro Tip: For the best texture, use rice that’s been refrigerated overnight.
This allows the grains to dry out slightly, preventing your fried rice from becoming mushy.
Break up any large clumps of rice before cooking for even distribution of flavors.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve explored these 10 delicious fried rice variations, you can confidently create restaurant-quality dishes at home.
Remember to always use day-old rice for the best texture, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different proteins and vegetables.
Keep your wok or pan hot, prep all ingredients before starting, and move quickly while cooking.
Whether you choose the classic Chinese style or venture into Thai or Indonesian versions, these recipes will help you master the art of perfect fried rice every time.
