Learn how to make easy fried rice using frozen veggies and your favorite protein for a quick, healthy dinner everyone will love!
This simple fried rice recipe is an easy dinner to throw together and it’s easy to customize to your family’s vegetables and proteins of choice. It’s also one of my favorite meals to make at the end of the week because it’s a great way to use up whatever vegetables you have left or repurpose chicken or other proteins you may have cooked earlier in the week.
How To Make Fried Rice Step By Step
You can choose to make fried rice all at one time or to prep some of it ahead of time. The rice actually works best if it’s cooked a day or two prior. Learn how to make white rice on the stovetop.
You can also use chicken or shrimp that you’ve cooked ahead of time or cook it right in the pan as you go!
Here’s how you make it:
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Add minced ginger and garlic and some onions or leeks.
- Stir in a bag of frozen vegetables and saute for a few minutes.
- Add shrimp or chicken and cook through.
- Stir in rice and tamari or soy sauce.
- Make a hole in the middle and crack in 2 eggs.
- Scramble them up and let them cook, then mix everything together and top with green onions.
Easy Fried Rice
Watch my six-year-old make fried rice for dinner using shrimp and frozen veggies!
Here’s the recipe:
PrintHow To Make Easy Fried Rice
Learn how to make easy fried rice using frozen veggies and your favorite protein for a quick, healthy dinner everyone will love!
- Yield: serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced (or thinly sliced leeks)
- 1 bag frozen mixed veggies (or 2–3 cups chopped fresh)
- 1 pound shrimp or diced chicken
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 eggs
- sliced green onions to garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Add ginger, garlic and onions or leeks and saute 2-3 minutes.
- Add vegetables and saute 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp or chicken and saute until cooked.
- Stir in rice and tamari/soy sauce.
- Make a hole in the middle and crack in 2 eggs.
- Scramble in the middle until cooked, then stir to combine everything.
- Garnish with green onions and serve.
Easy Fried Rice FAQs
What kind of rice is best for fried rice?
I typically use white or brown rice. Basmati and jasmine rice would not be my first choice but could still work in a pinch!
Why is leftover rice better for fried rice?
Freshly cooked rice is hot and steamy and can make your fried rice clumpy and soggy. Day old rice is a bit drier and will provide a better texture in the dish.
Do you have to add meat?
No, you could leave out the meat or seafood if you want or try adding some steamed edamame, white beans or tofu for plant-based protein.
What other sauces can you add?
Many recipes also add oyster sauce or fish sauce for more flavor. Feel free to experiment. Just add a little at a time since their flavor can be strong.
Need more quick and easy dinners like this? Try:
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Ramen Noodles
- Instant Pot Peanut Noodles
- Easy Lasagna
- Spaghetti & Meatballs
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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