This quick and easy Chinese egg fried rice features fluffy scrambled eggs that perfectly coat each grain of rice for the tastiest fried rice you’ve ever had! My recipe will give you authentic flavors easily at home in under 15 minutes!
Table of Contents
- What is Egg Fried Rice?
- Why You’ll Love This Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Egg Fried Rice At Home
- How to Make Egg Fried Rice (Step by Step)
- Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Egg Fried Rice Every Single Time
- How to Coat Each Grain of Rice with Egg and Not Get Soggy Fried Rice
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Egg Fried Rice
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Egg Fried Rice
- More Rice Recipes You May Like
- Did You Make This Easy Chinese Egg Fried Rice Recipe?
- Recipe Card
- More Chinese Recipes You May Like
This Chinese egg fried rice recipe is meant to be simple, quick, and easy and is best eaten as a side dish with a saucy main course.
There aren't many ingredients to this delicious easy egg fried rice recipe, at its core, it's just eggs and cooked rice with a bit of salt and soy sauce! So if you're looking for something easy that tastes just like they do at the Chinese restaurant, then you're at the right place!
If you are looking for a heartier fried rice dish that can be enjoyed more as a main course, try my Cumin Beef Fried Rice or Kimchi Fried Rice with Spam recipes!
The key to achieving the perfect egg fried rice lies in the technique of stir-frying, which makes sure that each grain of rice is evenly coated in perfectly cooked scrambled eggs mixture.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, this recipe is sure to impress with its simplicity and deliciousness. Trust me, you’re going to end up with the tastiest authentic fried rice you’ve ever had!
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious egg fried rice recipe today!
What is Egg Fried Rice?
Egg fried rice is a popular Chinese dish made with cooked rice, eggs, and a variety of vegetables and seasonings. It is typically stir-fried in a wok or frying pan.
There are several reasons why egg fried rice is considered a good side dish. Firstly, it is a versatile dish that can be easily adapted to suit individual tastes and preferences. You can add your choice of vegetables, meats, or seafood to make it more substantial and flavorful.
Secondly, egg fried rice is a great way to use up leftover rice. By stir-frying the rice with eggs and other ingredients, it can transform plain rice into a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Plus, egg fried rice is a quick and easy dish to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or when you want a satisfying meal in a short amount of time. It requires minimal ingredients and can be cooked in just a matter of minutes.
Lastly, egg fried rice is a balanced dish that combines carbohydrates from the rice, protein from the eggs, and nutrients from the vegetables. It provides a good source of energy and nutrients, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal option.
Egg fried rice is truly a delicious and versatile dish that offers a range of flavors and textures. It is easy to make, customizable, and a great way to use up leftovers. I’m sure you’re going to absolutely love my recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Egg Fried Rice Recipe
Easy to make: This recipe is incredibly easy and straightforward, making it perfect for beginner cooks or those short on time. Just a few basic ingredients and a quick stir-fry, and you’ll have a flavorful and satisfying dish on the table in no time.
Versatile: One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences by adding in your favorite veggies, protein, or spices. Whether you prefer it spicy, with vegetables, or packed with protein, this recipe can easily be adapted to your liking.
Delicious: This recipe is packed with flavor. The combination of soy sauce creates a savory and aromatic base that pairs perfectly with the fluffy rice and scrambled eggs. It is a dish that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Crowd-pleaser: Whether you’re cooking for a small family dinner or hosting a gathering with friends, this egg fried rice recipe is sure to be a hit. Its familiar and comforting flavors appeal to a wide range of palates, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that everyone can enjoy.
Healthy: By making it at home, you have control over the ingredients, making it a healthier option without having to sacrifice the taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Egg Fried Rice At Home
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious egg fried rice recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
For the Stir Fry:
Rice: We will be using some rice (preferably cold, day-old rice) to make this recipe, as it will provide a nice texture and prevent the dish from becoming mushy. It will absorb the flavors of the other ingredients and serve as the main base for the dish. I personally like to use jasmine rice (long grain rice) and Japanese Calrose rice (medium grain rice) to make egg fried rice.
Oil: We will also be adding oil to this recipe, as it will help to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan and add a nice crispy texture to the dish. It will also help to distribute the flavors of the other ingredients evenly throughout the rice.
Soy sauce: Add some soy sauce to this recipe. It will give a savory and umami flavor to the dish. It will also help to enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and give the fried rice its signature taste.
For the Egg Mix:
Eggs: We are using eggs to make this recipe, as they will add a fluffy and scrambled texture to the dish. They will also make the fried rice more filling. I personally like to use large chicken eggs for this easy egg fried rice recipe.
Salt: Remember to add some salt to this recipe, as it will enhance the flavors of the other ingredients and balance out the taste. It will also help to bring out the natural flavors of the dish and make it more delicious.
Oil: Adding oil to the scrambled eggs makes the eggs fluffier.
For the Garnish:
Green onions: We will be using green onions to make this recipe, as they are going to add a mild and onion-like flavor to the dish and provide a nice freshness to balance out the other ingredients.
Toasted sesame seeds (optional): We will also add toasted sesame seeds to this recipe, as it will give the dish a nutty and aromatic flavor. It also provides the fried rice a bit of texture, which gives it a nice presentation.
How to Make Egg Fried Rice (Step by Step)
Making this incredible egg fried rice recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
1.) Prepare Everything Ahead of Time
Preparing all the ingredients ahead so that you can have everything ready to go when you are making the rice.
- If you are using day-old cooked white rice, gently break up the rice clumps into smaller pieces before you start cooking. I find it easiest to use your hands and try to break them into fine individual grains if you can.
- For the eggs, add the oil and salt to the eggs, and beat them until fluffy and set it aside for later.
2.) Cook Everything In a Large Wok or Skillet
- Once everything has been prepared, heat up large skillet or wok to very high heat and add a bit of oil to it. For a good fried rice, you can't be too shy with the oil.
- Once the oil is hot, add in the rice and cook it for a few minutes, breaking up the lumps of cooked rice into small grains.
- Push aside the rice, and add the beaten eggs in and let it cook for about 10 seconds until you start to see the edges bubbling. Then push the rice back on top of the egg.
- Keep cooking the fried rice until the egg has been fully cooked. If your fried rice looks soggy, keep cooking it to dry out the egg.
- Add the soy sauce over the fried rice and mix well until everything is well seasoned.
- Garnish with green onions or toasted sesame seeds and enjoy!
Joyce's Tips For Making the Best Egg Fried Rice Every Single Time
Prep the ingredients before starting: Make sure to have all the ingredients prepped and ready to go before starting the cooking process. This includes beating the eggs, breaking up the rice into individual grains, and chopping the vegetables if you use them.
Use day-old cooked rice: Fried rice is best made with day-old cooked rice as it is drier and less sticky and soggy. If you are pressed for time and don't have any cold day-old leftover rice, you can make a fresh batch of rice but add less water to it when you are cooking so that it comes out drier and not fully cooked. You should still leave it to cool before using it - I like to wait until it is room temperature.
Don’t be shy with oil: To make a good egg fried rice, you can't be too shy with the oil.
Pay attention to the eggs: My dad's secret to egg fried rice is his awesome scrambled eggs. Whenever he made scrambled eggs, he would always add a bit of oil into it, which would create very fluffy and flavorful scrambled eggs.
Cook the rice first: Break up any clumps with a spatula and stir-fry until the rice is heated through, then add in the beaten eggs in the pan until they are slightly scrambled, then mix the rice directly into the egg to coat the rice with it.
Stir-fry the vegetables: If you are using vegetables, using hot oil over high heat helps to retain their crispness and vibrant colors. Cook the vegetables until they are just tender-crisp to add texture and freshness to the fried rice.
Avoid overcrowding the pan: It is important not to overcrowd the pan when stir-frying the ingredients. Cook them in batches if necessary and make sure that they have enough space to cook evenly so that can evenly cook.
Garnish and serve immediately: Once the fried rice is cooked, garnish it with green onions, sesame seeds, and/or cilantro for added flavor and presentation. Serve it immediately while it is still hot.
How to Coat Each Grain of Rice with Egg and Not Get Soggy Fried Rice
Whenever I make egg fried rice, I turned down the heat to low after the rice has toasted, right before I put in the egg. I don't want it to instantly cook the egg at a high temperature - I only want to slightly cook the egg and then shift all the rice on top of it which will coat every single one of your rice grains with a bit of egg.
While you are doing this, it might start to look like a half-scrambled egg - this is normal. Once you turn your heat back up to medium heat, the egg will fully cook once you start mixing everything together and the rice will dry up again.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair your egg fried rice with some Sweet and Sour Chicken for a classic Chinese takeout meal. The savory flavors of the rice will perfectly complement the tangy and slightly sweet flavors of the chicken.
- Create a vegetarian meal by serving the egg fried rice alongside some stir-fried vegetables. The combination of the fluffy rice and crunchy vegetables will provide a satisfying and nutritious meal.
- For a fusion twist, serve the egg fried rice with some Grilled Teriyaki Salmon. The smoky and slightly sweet flavors of the salmon will complement the rich flavors of the rice, creating a delicious and well-balanced meal.
- Serve the egg fried rice as a side dish to accompany your favorite Asian-inspired main course, such as Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork) or Lemongrass Chicken. The rice will add a hearty and flavorful element to your meal, tying all the flavors together
Recipe Variation Ideas for Egg Fried Rice
If you're looking for a bit more variety, here are some additional variations and ideas for this fried rice recipe.
- Vegetables - Try adding some frozen (or fresh) veggies like chopped carrots, onions, bell peppers, green beans, and peas for flavor and variety.
- Kimchi - If you have leftover kimchi, you can finely chop it up and add it to your fried rice for some extra flavor. I also have a kimchi fried rice with spam recipe here as well if you want something a bit more complex.
- Fish Sauce instead of Soy Sauce - Instead of soy sauce, you can switch up your umami bomb with fish sauce instead.
- Ground Chicken, Pork or Beef - Turn your egg fried rice into a complete meal by adding ground or diced meat. It's a great way to add more flavor and transform this fried rice into a complete meal. You can make chicken fried rice, Cumin Beef Fried Rice or Thai Basil Turkey Fried Rice this way. You can even add shrimp! The protein will add extra substance to the dish and make it even more filling.
- Bacon or Spam - Add some fried bacon of spam for a lot of extra flavor from both the saltiness and the extra fat.
- Toasted Sesame Oil or Garlic - You can mix in a bit of toasted sesame oil into the soy sauce or stir-fry some garlic while you are pan frying the white rice to give this egg fried rice even more flavor.
- Golden Egg Fried Rice - Use only the egg yolks to create a richer and more egg flavored Chinese egg fried rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
The secret to a good fried rice is its simplicity and to make sure it is well seasoned with salt or soy sauce. To give your fried rice a bit more flavor you can also add a bit of butter when you add the oil in, right before you add in the cold day old leftover rice.
Add the egg after the fried rice has been pan-fried for a few minutes and the rice clumps has been broken into individual grains.
To make fried rice taste better, you definitely want to make sure that it is well seasoned with either salt or soy sauce.
Chinese restaurants use intense high heat which causes a maillard reaction to the rice which gives it a 'wok hei' flavor. It's a light smoky flavor that makes fried rice (and noodles) taste absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, it is difficult to achieve that at home since our stoves cannot get that hot.
Yes, you definitely can. When you are making the rice in a rice cooker or a pot, add less water than you normally would (I add about ¼ cup less water). Once the rice is done, spread it out on a cookie sheet or a large plate and let it cool before you use it. If you have time, once the rice has slightly cooled, you can also cool it further by adding the cookie sheet (uncovered) in the fridge for an hour as well.
How to Store Leftover Egg Fried Rice
To store leftovers of egg fried rice, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator. The leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating the leftovers, it is best to use a stovetop or microwave. To reheat on the stovetop, add a little oil or water to a pan and heat the leftover rice over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
If using a microwave, place the rice in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it reaches the desired temperature.
To freeze fried rice, store it in a freezer bag with all the air squeezed out. It can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, simply microwave it or heat it up in a skillet again.
More Rice Recipes You May Like
- Vermicelli Rice
- Cumin Beef Fried Rice
- Tuna Mayo Deopbap (Korean Tuna Mayo Rice)
- Thai Basil Turkey Fried Rice
- Kimchi Fried Rice
- Chinese Sticky Rice (Lo Mai Fan)
- Lao Crispy Rice Salad (Nam Khao)
Did You Make This Easy Chinese Egg Fried Rice Recipe?
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Recipe Card
Easy Egg Fried Rice (5 Ingredients)
Joyce's Recipe Notes
- Use day-old, cold rice for the best textured fried rice that is not soggy or mushy. If you are pressed for time, make a batch of fresh rice but use less water to cook it so that it is drier, and make sure you let it cool in the freezer for about 30 minutes before using it.
- Don’t be shy with oil: To make a good egg fried rice, you can't be too shy with the oil.
Ingredients
- 3 cups rice (preferably cold, day old rice, see notes)
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
Egg Mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon oil (for the eggs)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Garnish
- 1-2 stalks green onions (finely chopped, added at the end)
- toasted sesame seeds (optional, added at the end)
Instructions
Preparation
- Gently break up the day-old rice in a bowl into smaller chunks with your hands and set aside. Approximately 3 cups rice.
- Finely chop up the 1-2 stalks green onions and set aside
- In a small bowl, add in the 3 eggs, 1 ½ teaspoon oil, and ½ teaspoon salt, and beat it until it is fluffy and set aside.
Putting it Together
- Heat a large frying pan with a bit of oil over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add in the rice and cook it for a few minutes. Use your utensil to break up the rice while it is hot. Cook for about 4-6 minutes
- Reduce the heat to low heat
- Push the rice aside in the pan and add in the scrambled egg mix to the pan. Let it sit for about 1-2 seconds and then use your utensil to give it a gentle mix a few times.
- Push the rice on top of the scrambled eggs and gently mix it until each grain is coated (Don't worry goopy, the egg will cook and dry out in the next steps)
- Set the stove back to medium heat
- Continue to toss and mix the rice until the egg is cooked and evenly distributed with the rice. The fried rice should look dry and not goopy and mushy. Cook for approximately 5 minutes. If the rice still looks mushy, continue to cook it until the heat dries out the eggs.
- Add in 2-3 tablespoons soy sauce and mix well until all the rice has been seasoned with it.
- Turn off the heat and add in the green onions and mix it for 1 minute so that the residual heat cooks it.
- Serve it as a side dish and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is calculated using online tools and is an estimate*
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Harold Burton says
Love this recipe! We use it quite often. I double the carrots and celery and add minced onion flakes to it and use Uncle Ben's Wild Rice. After a couple hours check it to see if it needs a little bit more water added.
Harold Burton
Joyce Lee says
Hi Harold,
I'm so happy you like this! Great idea adding some extra veg and minced onion! Thanks so much for sharing this with me!
Yukti Arora says
so tasty rice recipe so keep posting.
Joyce says
Thanks so much Yukti!