Fried rice is one of the most popular dishes you can order in a Chinese restaurant or get as a takeout, but you know what’s simpler than ordering in? The following fried rice recipe. All the usual culprits are included: eggs, rice, soy sauce, and vegetables. And you can add other ingredients if you like, such as finely diced ham or baby shrimp.

Anything goes in this recipe and you might like to make it slightly different every time you make it.

Egg fried rice is a popular dish all over Asia, since home cooks love to throw in anything in the refrigerator that’s slightly past its prime or needs to be used up. Anything from broccoli, to zucchini, yellow onion, carrot, peas, cilantro, and mushrooms can be added, and you can add a splash of sesame oil too, if you wish, or even a splash of hot sauce.

Use leftover rice that was cooked at least 6 hours beforehand, for the most authentic result.

Why You’ll Love the Recipe:

This has to be the best recipe to make if you have leftover cooked rice. As well as adding eggs, you can add any protein and/or vegetables you want. The combination of soy sauce, garlic and ginger give this an authentic flavor, and it’s even better than takeout fried rice. You’ll love the fact it’s so quick and easy as well.

How to Serve It:

Enjoy this alongside chicken, steak or even fish. Fried rice goes well with just about anything. It’s especially good with a rack of ribs on the side or even a few Chinese sausages.

Ingredients:

Cold white rice
Vegetable oil
Eggs
Diced carrots and green peas
Green onion
Minced garlic and minced ginger
Soy sauce
Black pepper, to taste

How to make Better Than Takeout Fried Rice:

Step 1. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly.

Step 2. Heat the oil in a wok until hot, then scramble the eggs in there.

Step 3. Once the eggs are nearly done, you can add the rice and mix it well with the egg.

Step 4. Next, add the carrots, peas, green onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook some more.

Step 5. Season to taste with soy sauce and black pepper, and serve hot.

This egg fried rice is even better than hot fried rice from the Chinese takeout. It’s quick and easy to prepare and you can add any meat or veggies you want, along with your favorite seasonings. This is the number one way to use up leftover cooked rice.

Better Than Takeout Fried Rice

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Cook Time 15

Course Main

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4

Ingredients

4 cups cold leftover cold white rice
Vegetable oil for stir frying
2 eggs
Handful each of diced carrots and green peas
1 chopped green onion
1 teaspoon each minced garlic and minced ginger
Soy sauce to taste
Black pepper to taste

Instructions

Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them lightly.
Heat the oil in a wok until hot, then scramble the eggs in there.
Once the eggs are nearly done, you can add the rice and mix it well with the egg.
Next, add the carrots, peas, green onion, garlic, and ginger, and cook some more.
Season to taste with soy sauce and black pepper, and serve hot.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Although egg fried rice can be prepared ahead, it’s best not to reheat rice more than once, so just make as much as you need to enjoy right away.

Storage Instructions:

It’s best not to reheat rice more than once (it can cause an upset stomach) so don’t store leftovers.

Variations and Substitutes:

This recipe is wide open to interpretation, and you can add any leftover vegetables (or fresh or thawed ones if you cook them first), as well as any chopped meat, poultry or seafood. Seasoning the recipe is also up to you and you might like to include a splash of sesame oil, a pinch of Chinese 5-spice, or a little Asian chili paste.