Best Fried Rice Recipe (Easy!)

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I’m always looking for a simple and delicious side dish to serve with Asian recipes, and my go-to most often is cauliflower fried rice. But my kids love real rice, so I made this easy fried rice recipe for when they want the real thing! Egg fried rice is quick and simple to make, and it’s a great way to use up any leftover rice you have on hand.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Fried Rice Recipe

Simple, savory Asian flavor
Tender veggies
Perfect way to use leftover rice
Ready in 15 minutes!
Healthy side dish made in one pan
Easy fried rice recipe you can customize with your favorite add-ins

Fried Rice Ingredients

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for egg fried rice, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Olive Oil – For frying. I use light olive oil for a neutral flavor. You can substitute any neutral cooking oil, such as avocado oil or refined sesame oil. Some fried rice recipes fry it directly in sesame oil, but since I have regular olive oil or avocado oil on hand more often, I use that and just add toasted sesame oil towards the end. (I don’t recommend frying in toasted sesame oil, because it can’t withstand high heat.)
Frozen Veggies – For convenience, I used frozen peas and carrots. You could also use fresh vegetables if you prefer.
Garlic – Although optional, I highly recommend adding fresh garlic. It enhances the delicious flavors of the dish. You can also substitute the 2 cloves fresh garlic with 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Eggs – Add great flavor, texture, and protein to this Chinese fried rice recipe.
Cooked Rice – Fried rice recipes typically use Chinese-style medium-grain white rice, but jasmine rice, long grain rice (which is lower in starch), or even brown rice also make great options. Use day-old rice if possible, but freshly cooked rice is okay if you must.
Butter – Just a few tablespoons add so much flavor and richness. I use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt.
Toasted Sesame Oil – Optional, but recommended for a classic flavor. As mentioned above, we add this towards the end because it does not withstand high heat.
Aminos or Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is the classic choice, but I typically choose coconut aminos instead, which is similar but a bit sweeter. If you use soy sauce, I recommend low-sodium soy sauce so that the dish is not too salty.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I used 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, but adjust to your taste.
Green Onions – Also known as scallions, these are optional for garnishing this homemade fried rice recipe.

How To Make Fried Rice

This section shows how to cook fried rice, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Saute vegetables. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add frozen peas and carrots. Saute until soft.
Add garlic. Reduce heat. Add minced garlic, if using. Saute until fragrant.

Scramble. Push vegetables to the side of the pan. Crack eggs into the middle of the skillet and scramble until fully cooked.
Mix. Add cooked rice, butter, and coconut aminos or soy sauce. Mix everything together. Cook the egg fried rice recipe until warm.

Season. Stir in the toasted sesame oil, if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired.

Finished fried rice recipe with garnish.

Tips For The Best Fried Rice Recipe

Keep these tips in mind for better, more flavorful rice:

Use day-old rice. Using freshly cooked rice can make your fried rice turn out soggy. Cooking rice the day before and refrigerating it will dry out the grains a bit, which will give your fried rice that ideal chewy texture. Plus, this means faster prep the day-of!
Avoid clumps. If using day-old rice (and you should!), break up clumps with your fingers (or a fork) before cooking to ensure seasonings can coat the grains of rice evenly.
Use room temperature eggs. Submerge eggs in a bowl of warm water to bring to room temperature. Room temperature eggs fry more evenly.
Use butter and toasted sesame oil. These are my secrets to the best fried rice! Both add so much flavor.
Add in your leftovers. This dish is perfect for using up random amounts of leftover proteins or veggies you have on-hand — and it creates new flavor combos every time! (See variation ideas below.)

Egg fried rice in a bowl with chopsticks on top of the bowl.

Recipe Variations

Add protein – Add chicken, pork, or shrimp to your easy fried rice recipe. Cook in the pan first, then remove and set aside before cooking the rest of the dish. Return to the pan before serving.
Cauliflower Fried Rice – Simply make my cauliflower fried rice (or cauliflower chicken fried rice) for a healthier alternative.
Try different veggies – Add other veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, or snow peas.

Storage Instructions

When it comes to leftovers, this recipe is one of the easiest dishes to store and reheat. Simply place cooled rice in an airtight container and store in the fridge.

How Long Does Fried Rice Last In The Fridge?

Cooked fried rice can store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How To Reheat Fried Rice?

The best way to reheat a fried rice recipe is to warm it in a pan over medium heat. The key to reheating is to add a little bit of moisture back into the dish with a small amount of water or broth. You can also reheat in the microwave.

Can You Freeze Fried Rice?

Yes, you can freeze fried rice recipes. Cool completely, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Easy fried rice in a bowl, with another bowl in background.

What To Serve With Fried Rice Recipes

There are so many different ways to make vegetable fried rice recipes, but what do you serve with it? Here are a few reader favorite dishes for pairing:

Chicken – Try stir fry rice with Asian chicken dishes like chicken broccoli stir fry, hibachi chicken, chicken korma, almond chicken, and honey sriracha chicken.
Beef & Pork – Serve with Asian beef dishes like Hunan beef or a beef or pork egg roll in a bowl.
Vegetarian – Pile stir fry vegetables over fried rice for a vegetarian meal.
Salads – Pair rice with an ahi tuna salad, smashed cucumber salad, or kani salad for more savory flavor.

Recommended Tools

Large Skillet – Since you’ll be making this dish in one pan, you will only need a large skillet for this recipe. I used a stir fry skillet, but you could also use a wok.