16 Simple Weeknight Fried Rice Recipes for Busy Families
Fried rice transforms leftover ingredients into satisfying weeknight meals that everyone loves. These quick recipes turn simple pantry staples into flavorful dinners.
From spicy Thai variations to classic takeout styles, these easy fried rice dishes deliver restaurant-quality results at home.
01. Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Rice Bowl
Bold Thai flavors combine with tender chicken and fragrant basil in this aromatic dish. Fish sauce and oyster sauce create an authentic taste that rivals your favorite restaurant.
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, 1 pound ground chicken, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 Thai chilies (sliced), 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 eggs.
How To Make Spicy Thai Basil Chicken Rice Bowl
1. Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until smoking. Add minced garlic and sliced chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant and golden.
2. Add ground chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart with your spoon until completely cooked through and lightly browned.
3. Push chicken to one side of the pan and crack eggs into the empty space. Scramble eggs quickly, then mix with the chicken.
4. Add rice, fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir-fry everything together for 3-4 minutes until rice is heated through and well coated.
5. Remove from heat and fold in fresh Thai basil leaves until they wilt from the residual heat.
02. Classic Pork Chop Fried Rice
Transform a single pork chop into a hearty meal for two with this clever recipe. Day-old rice works best for achieving that perfect texture everyone craves.
Ingredients: 1 thick pork chop (diced), 3 cups cooked rice, 2 eggs (beaten), 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 3 green onions (chopped), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), salt and pepper.
How To Make Classic Pork Chop Fried Rice
1. Season diced pork with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook pork pieces until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes total.
2. Push pork to one side and add beaten eggs to the empty space. Scramble until just set, then mix with the pork.
3. Add remaining oil, then stir in garlic and frozen vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are heated through and garlic is fragrant.
4. Add rice, breaking up any clumps with your spoon. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until rice is hot and slightly crispy.
5. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil, then toss in green onions just before serving for fresh color and crunch.
03. Restaurant-Style House Special Rice
This loaded fried rice features shrimp, ham, and chicken just like your favorite takeout spot. Multiple proteins make this dish incredibly satisfying and restaurant-worthy.
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked rice, ½ cup cooked shrimp, ½ cup diced ham, ½ cup cooked chicken (diced), 3 eggs, 1 cup mixed vegetables, 4 green onions (sliced), 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced).
How To Make Restaurant-Style House Special Rice
1. Heat oil in a large wok over high heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy, then remove and set aside.
2. Add garlic to the same pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add all three proteins and mixed vegetables, cooking for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
3. Add rice and break up any clumps, stir-frying constantly for 4-5 minutes until rice begins to crisp slightly around the edges.
4. Return scrambled eggs to the pan along with soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss everything together for 2 minutes until well combined.
5. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately while hot and fragrant.
04. Budget-Friendly Pantry Fried Rice
When money’s tight but hunger strikes, this economical recipe saves the day. Simple ingredients create surprisingly delicious results that stretch your grocery budget.
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 onion (diced), 2 carrots (diced), 1 cup frozen peas, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon ginger (minced), salt and pepper.
How To Make Budget-Friendly Pantry Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and carrots, cooking for 4-5 minutes until onion becomes translucent and carrots start to soften.
2. Add garlic and ginger, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant. Push vegetables to one side of the pan.
3. Pour beaten eggs into the empty space and scramble until just set, then mix with the vegetables.
4. Add rice and frozen peas, breaking up rice clumps and stirring everything together for 5-6 minutes until peas are heated through.
5. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, tossing until rice is evenly coated and heated through.
05. Express Pork Fried Rice
Leftover pork chops find new life in this speedy lunch solution. Ready in minutes, this recipe proves that great meals don’t require hours of preparation.
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked pork (diced), 3 cups cooked rice, 2 eggs, ½ cup frozen peas, 3 green onions (chopped), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 clove garlic (minced), white pepper.
How To Make Express Pork Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add diced pork and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until edges are lightly crispy and heated through.
2. Push pork aside and add beaten eggs to the pan. Scramble quickly until just set, then mix with the pork.
3. Add rice and frozen peas, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes until rice is hot and peas are bright green.
4. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic, tossing everything together for 2 minutes until well combined.
5. Season with white pepper and garnish with green onions before serving hot.
06. Thai-Style Beef Fried Rice
Ground beef and fish sauce create deep, savory flavors in this Thai-inspired dish. Bold seasonings transform simple ingredients into something truly special and memorable.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 3 cups cooked jasmine rice, 1 large onion (sliced), 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 Thai chili (minced), cilantro for garnish.
How To Make Thai-Style Beef Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large wok over high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it apart until well-browned and cooked through.
2. Add sliced onion and minced garlic, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent.
3. Push beef mixture to one side and crack eggs into the empty space. Scramble eggs until set, then mix with the beef.
4. Add rice, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and minced chili. Stir-fry everything together for 4-5 minutes until rice is heated through.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning, then garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before serving.
07. Simple Shrimp Fried Rice
Tender shrimp and fluffy rice come together in this foolproof recipe. Even beginners can master this dish with its straightforward steps and forgiving technique.
Ingredients: 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled), 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 4 green onions (sliced), 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), salt and pepper.
How To Make Simple Shrimp Fried Rice
1. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
2. Add remaining oil to the same pan. Pour in beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy, then remove and set aside with shrimp.
3. Add garlic and frozen vegetables to the pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are heated through and garlic is fragrant.
4. Add rice and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, breaking up clumps until rice is hot and slightly crispy.
5. Return shrimp and eggs to the pan with soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss everything together for 2 minutes, then garnish with green onions.
08. Hawaiian-Style Spam Fried Rice
Spam and Chinese sausage create this hearty island favorite that’s perfect for parties. This unique combination delivers bold flavors that guests always remember.
Ingredients: 1 can Spam (diced), 2 Chinese sausages (sliced), 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup frozen peas, 3 green onions (chopped), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 cloves garlic (minced).
How To Make Hawaiian-Style Spam Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced Spam and sliced Chinese sausage, cooking for 4-5 minutes until Spam is golden and sausage is heated through.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Push meat to one side of the pan.
3. Add beaten eggs to the empty space and scramble until just set, then mix with the meat.
4. Add rice and frozen peas, stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until rice is hot and peas are bright green.
5. Season with soy sauce and oyster sauce, tossing until well combined. Garnish with green onions and serve immediately.
09. Ginger Sesame Fried Rice
Sweet hoisin sauce balances salty soy flavors in this aromatic dish. Toasted sesame seeds add delightful crunch and make for beautiful presentation every time.
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup mixed vegetables, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (minced), 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, 3 green onions (sliced).
How To Make Ginger Sesame Fried Rice
1. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in the same pan over high heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy, then remove and set aside.
3. Add minced ginger to the pan and stir-fry for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add mixed vegetables and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add rice, breaking up clumps, and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy.
5. Return eggs to the pan with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Toss everything together, then garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions.
10. Quick Hibachi-Style Fried Rice
Twenty minutes delivers restaurant-quality hibachi flavors faster than takeout delivery. This speedy recipe captures all those beloved Japanese steakhouse tastes at home.
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 4 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 green onions (chopped), salt and pepper.
How To Make Quick Hibachi-Style Fried Rice
1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beaten eggs and scramble until fluffy, then remove and set aside.
2. Add remaining butter to the same pan. Add frozen vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through and slightly caramelized.
3. Add rice and break up any clumps, stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until rice begins to get slightly crispy and golden.
4. Return scrambled eggs to the pan and add soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then garnish with chopped green onions before serving hot.
11. Korean Kimchi Fried Rice
Fermented kimchi brings tangy, spicy flavors that transform ordinary rice into something extraordinary. This Korean favorite delivers bold taste with minimal effort required.
Ingredients: 1 cup kimchi (chopped), 3 cups cooked rice, 2 eggs, 4 strips bacon (chopped), 2 green onions (sliced), 2 tablespoons kimchi juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, 2 cloves garlic (minced).
How To Make Korean Kimchi Fried Rice
1. Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Remove excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
2. Add minced garlic and chopped kimchi to the bacon fat, stir-frying for 2-3 minutes until kimchi is slightly caramelized and fragrant.
3. Add rice and break up clumps, stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until rice is heated through and begins to crisp.
4. Add kimchi juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Toss everything together until well combined and rice is evenly coated.
5. Make wells in the rice and crack eggs into them. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until whites are set, then garnish with green onions.
12. Vegetarian Peanut Fried Rice
Roasted peanuts provide satisfying protein and crunch in this plant-based version. Colorful vegetables make this vegan-friendly dish both nutritious and visually appealing.
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice, ½ cup roasted peanuts, 1 bell pepper (diced), 1 carrot (diced), 1 cup broccoli florets, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 inch ginger (minced).
How To Make Vegetarian Peanut Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large wok over high heat. Add diced bell pepper, carrot, and broccoli florets, stir-frying for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant and aromatic.
3. Add rice and roasted peanuts, breaking up rice clumps and stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until rice is heated through.
4. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil, tossing everything together until rice is evenly coated and well combined.
5. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until rice is slightly crispy and all flavors are melded together.
13. Sweet Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
Lap cheong sausage adds distinctive sweet flavors from sugar and rice wine. This unique ingredient creates memorable taste that keeps guests asking about your secret.
Ingredients: 3 Chinese sausages (sliced), 3 cups cooked rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup frozen peas, 4 green onions (chopped), 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 cloves garlic (minced), white pepper.
How To Make Sweet Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced Chinese sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until edges are lightly browned and fat is rendered.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Push sausage to one side of the pan.
3. Add beaten eggs to the empty space and scramble until just set, then mix with the sausage.
4. Add rice and frozen peas, stir-frying for 5-6 minutes until rice is hot and peas are bright green and heated through.
5. Season with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and white pepper. Toss until well combined, then garnish with green onions before serving.
14. Crispy Sheet Pan Fried Rice
Oven-baked rice gets crispy edges that skillets can’t achieve easily. Sriracha mayo drizzle adds creamy heat while making cleanup surprisingly simple for busy weeknights.
Ingredients: 4 cups cooked rice, 2 cups mixed vegetables, 3 eggs (beaten), ¼ cup vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 3 green onions (sliced), 2 cloves garlic (minced).
How To Make Crispy Sheet Pan Fried Rice
1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix rice, vegetables, beaten eggs, vegetable oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Spread mixture evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet, pressing down slightly to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
3. Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are golden brown and crispy, stirring once halfway through cooking time.
4. Meanwhile, whisk together mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl to create the spicy drizzle sauce.
5. Remove from oven and garnish with green onions, then drizzle with sriracha mayo before serving hot.
15. Garlic Chicken Brown Rice Bowl
Brown rice adds extra fiber and nutty flavor to this healthier version. Tender chicken and aromatic garlic create satisfying meals that support your wellness goals.
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast (diced), 3 cups cooked brown rice, 3 eggs, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 4 cloves garlic (minced), 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 3 green onions (sliced), salt and pepper.
How To Make Garlic Chicken Brown Rice Bowl
1. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 6-7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove chicken and garlic, setting aside.
3. Add remaining oil to the pan and scramble beaten eggs until fluffy. Remove and set aside with chicken.
4. Add brown rice and frozen vegetables to the pan, stir-frying for 6-7 minutes until rice is heated through and vegetables are tender.
5. Return chicken and eggs to the pan with soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes, then garnish with green onions.
16. One-Pot Pressure Cooker Chicken Rice
No need to precook rice with this convenient pressure cooker method. Everything cooks together perfectly, creating fluffy rice and tender chicken in one simple pot.
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken thighs (diced), 1½ cups jasmine rice, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 1 onion (diced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon ginger (minced), 3 green onions (sliced).
How To Make One-Pot Pressure Cooker Chicken Rice
1. Set pressure cooker to sauté mode and heat oil. Add diced chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
2. Add diced onion, garlic, and ginger, cooking for 2-3 minutes until onion softens and aromatics are fragrant.
3. Add rice and stir for 1-2 minutes until grains are lightly toasted and coated with oil.
4. Add chicken broth and soy sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Top with frozen vegetables but don’t stir.
5. Seal pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes. Fluff with fork and garnish with green onions.
Final Thoughts
These versatile fried rice recipes prove that delicious weeknight dinners don’t require complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. Simple pantry staples transform into satisfying meals.
Whether you’re using leftovers or starting fresh, these recipes offer endless possibilities for customization and creativity in your kitchen adventures.
