If you’ve ever dreamed of creating restaurant-quality takeout right in your own kitchen, this Egg Fried Rice Recipe is going to become your new best friend. It’s the perfect balance of fluffy scrambled eggs, vibrant veggies, and fragrant jasmine rice, all brought together with a silky soy and five-spice seasoning. Whether you crave a quick lunch or a cozy dinner, you’ll love how this dish delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures in just about 20 minutes. Plus, it’s versatile, comforting, and incredibly addictive—trust me, once you make it, you’ll want to keep this recipe close at hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Egg Fried Rice Recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create layers of flavor and texture. Each component plays an essential role: from the creaminess of the eggs to the slight crunch of fresh veggies and the aromatic notes from soy and five-spice powder.
- 4 large eggs: These provide richness and a delicate fluffiness to the rice.
- 3 tablespoons peanut, vegetable, or olive oil, divided: Essential for cooking and adding that luscious mouthfeel; choose your favorite for subtle variations in taste.
- 1 cup diced onion (about 1 small): Adds sweetness and a savory base when sautéed.
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups diced mixed vegetables (bell pepper, carrots, zucchini, etc.): Brightens the dish with color and crunch, plus nutritious variety.
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions, white and green parts divided: Offers a gentle oniony kick and fresh burst of flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Balances and enhances all ingredients.
- 4 cups cooked overnight jasmine rice: The key to perfect texture; day-old rice holds up wonderfully without turning mushy.
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free): Brings the signature savory umami punch.
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder: Adds warm, exotic depth with subtle hints of star anise and cinnamon.
- Dash of ground white pepper (optional): For a mild, aromatic heat that lifts the dish.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil: Finishes the dish with a nutty fragrance and smooth richness.
How to Make Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Eggs
Begin by cracking the eggs into a small bowl and beating them thoroughly until smooth. This step ensures that your scrambled eggs will be silky and even in texture. Heat 1 tablespoon of your chosen oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, pour in the eggs and scramble gently for about a minute. Don’t overcook here; you want the eggs just set, soft, and tender. Transfer them to a dish to rest and turn off the heat, so they don’t dry out.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Next, drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil into a wok or large skillet over high heat—this heat is crucial to make your rice slightly crispy and to quickly sauté the veggies. Add the diced onion first and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and just softened. Toss in your mixed vegetables and the white parts of the scallions, cooking for an additional 2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt to draw out their natural sweetness and keep everything vibrant.
Step 3: Add the Rice
Now, add the cooked, cold jasmine rice to the pan. It might come in large clumps, but that’s easy to fix—use the back of your spatula to gently break them apart. Let the rice cook and warm through for several minutes, stirring often so it soaks up the oils and heats evenly without sticking.
Step 4: Season and Combine
In goes the magic—add soy sauce, five-spice powder, and a dash of white pepper if you want a hint of warmth. Stir well to coat every grain of rice with those deep, layered flavors. Finally, drizzle the toasted sesame oil over the mixture, stirring it through for that irresistible nutty finish. Add the scrambled eggs back into the wok and mix everything thoroughly to combine all the textures and flavors beautifully.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining green parts of the scallions over the top for a fresh, vibrant pop of color and flavor. Serve your Egg Fried Rice Recipe steaming hot, straight from the pan for the best taste and texture.
How to Serve Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Garnishes
While the sliced green scallions are a classic finish, try adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or even a handful of chopped fresh cilantro to elevate your presentation and add complementary flavors. For a touch of heat, some thinly sliced fresh chili peppers or a drizzle of chili oil makes a mouthwatering garnish.
Side Dishes
Egg Fried Rice is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with many dishes. Serve it alongside your favorite stir-fried veggies, grilled chicken, or crispy tofu to round out your meal. A light soup or steamed dumplings make fantastic companions for a delightful Asian-inspired dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Egg Fried Rice Recipe the star of any meal by serving it in cute individual bowls or nestling it in lettuce cups for a fresh twist. For gatherings, consider a large platter garnished with cucumber slices and lime wedges to make your table look vibrant and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Egg Fried Rice keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors not only hold up well but often deepen as it sits, making your meal even tastier the next day.
Freezing
While fresh is best, you can freeze leftover egg fried rice for up to 2 months. Be sure to cool it completely and pack it tightly in freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the texture may soften slightly but it remains delicious and convenient.
Reheating
Reheat your fried rice in a hot skillet or wok with a splash of oil to revive the texture and flavors. Microwave reheating works too—just add a sprinkle of water and cover to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until piping hot and ready to enjoy.
FAQs
Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of overnight rice?
Freshly cooked rice tends to be too soft and sticky for frying, which results in mushy fried rice. Using cold, day-old rice helps achieve that perfect fluffy and separated grain texture that’s essential in this Egg Fried Rice Recipe.
What vegetables work best in this Egg Fried Rice Recipe?
Feel free to use veggies you enjoy! Bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini are classic choices for their sweetness and crunch, but peas, corn, or even chopped broccoli can also be fantastic additions.
Is it necessary to use five-spice powder?
Not strictly, but five-spice powder adds a distinctive warmth and fragrant complexity that beautifully complements the soy and sesame flavors. If you don’t have it on hand, you can omit it or try a pinch of cinnamon and star anise as a substitute.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it an easy swap.
How can I add protein other than eggs?
For extra protein, try adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Simply cook these beforehand and stir them in when you add the rice for a heartier version of this Egg Fried Rice Recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Egg Fried Rice Recipe is more than just a quick meal; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures that bring so much joy with each bite. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it liberating how effortlessly you can mix and match ingredients to suit your cravings. So gather up those simple ingredients, fire up your pan, and dive into this delicious comfort food—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
A quick and flavorful Egg Fried Rice recipe featuring scrambled eggs, mixed vegetables, and aromatic seasonings like soy sauce, five-spice powder, and toasted sesame oil. Perfect for using leftover jasmine rice, this dish is cooked on the stovetop to achieve a deliciously savory and satisfying meal in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Eggs
- 4 large eggs
Oils and Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons peanut, vegetable, or olive oil, divided
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari if gluten free)
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- Dash of ground white pepper (optional)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Pinch of salt
Vegetables
- 1 cup diced onion (about 1 small onion)
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups diced mixed vegetables (such as bell pepper, carrots, zucchini)
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions, white and green parts divided
Rice
- 4 cups cooked overnight jasmine rice
Instructions
- Beat the eggs: Crack the eggs into a small bowl and beat them together until well combined.
- Scramble the eggs: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beaten eggs and scramble for about one minute. Transfer the cooked eggs to a dish and turn off the heat.
- Sauté onions and vegetables: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over high heat. Add the diced onions and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to soften them. Then add the mixed vegetables and the white parts of the scallions. Cook for another 2 minutes, seasoning with a pinch of salt.
- Cook the rice: Add the prepared overnight jasmine rice to the wok. Stir and cook for several minutes until the rice is heated through. Break apart any large clumps of rice with the back of your spatula to ensure even cooking.
- Add seasonings and mix: Pour in the soy sauce, five-spice powder, and optional white pepper, followed by the toasted sesame oil. Stir to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Combine eggs and garnish: Return the scrambled eggs to the wok and stir to incorporate them evenly throughout the rice mixture. Finally, garnish the fried rice with the green parts of the sliced scallions and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use your preferred neutral oil like peanut, vegetable, or olive oil for versatile flavors.
- Dicing the onion finely helps it cook evenly and blend well with the other vegetables.
- Feel free to use any mixed vegetables you like or have on hand, such as bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini.
- Sliced scallions add a fresh, mild onion flavor. Separate the white and green parts for cooking and garnish.
- Using cooked, chilled jasmine rice from overnight helps achieve the ideal texture for fried rice.
- Adjust soy sauce and seasoning quantities according to your taste for saltiness and spice.
