How to Make Fried Rice Perfectly Every Time

Rinse rice before cooking it, and once cooked, spread the rice and let it rest and cool completely.

Rinse and chop your add-ons ahead of time, and make sure the large pan is piping hot.

Season with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil even if the recipe doesn't call for all three.

There's something comforting about the combination of warm rice, cooked egg, a toasty soy-sesame seasoning, and little bits of vegetables (and maybe meat). Fried rice is an all-time favorite for take-out, but it's also incredibly easy to prepare at home. Here are some tips to help you learn how to make the perfect fried rice yourself at home.

This Tofu Fried Rice Recipe Is a Weeknight Dinner Must

Credit:

Cara Cormack

How to Prepare Fried Rice

The best fried rice demands a little bit of prep, but we promise once you get the hang of it, these steps will become second nature.

Step 1: Plan Ahead

After the rice cools, the rest of the dish will come together in a hot pan very quickly. Have all of your desired add-ins prepped ahead and arranged in small bowls stove-side, so you can cook up the fried rice in a flash.

Step 2: Choose Add-ons Wisely

You don't need 20 ingredients to cook the perfect fried rice. Blend cooked rice with some aromatics (garlic, ginger, scallions), eggs, some veggies (carrot, peas, baby spinach, chopped bok choy, or broccoli) and, if you like, some raw or cooked protein (tofu, shrimp, chicken, pork, salmon—heck, even leftover brisket works well!).

Step 3: Rinse Your Rice Before Cooking

Giving your rice a quick rinse before cooking allows it to shed some starch and leads to less clumpy cooked grains. All the good egg bits and other tasty seasonings will then mingle well with the rice, evenly distributing flavor throughout the dish.

To rinse rice, simply place it in a mesh sieve or a colander with small-sized holes, then run cool tap water over the top for about a minute, stirring with your fingers or a spoon. Then, cook your rice the way you normally do, and let it rest and cool. A cup of dry/uncooked rice will serve four eaters.

To skip the rice cooking step, any leftover plain rice you have in the fridge already will also work well in fried rice.

Step 4: Rest Rice

Spread your cooked rice on a baking sheet, then place the baking sheet on a cooling rack to allow air to circulate around the pan. Let the rice stand for one to two hours until it's cooled to room temperature.

Resting and cooling your rice allows excess moisture to evaporate, which also helps keep grains from clumping. If you want to do this a day or two ahead, let the rice cool completely, then refrigerate it in an airtight container.

Step 5: Find a Very Large Wok or Skillet

For fried rice, you want to use a pan that seems large, perhaps even extra-large, for the amount of rice and other ingredients you are using. This allows the ingredients to heat up quickly and evenly without overcooking and gives you room to toss everything together without ingredients leaping or falling out of the pan.

How to Cook Fried Rice

Now that you have all your add-ons rinsed and chopped and your rice rinsed, cooked, and cooled, it's time to put everything together. Here's what you need to do for the best results.

Step 1: Get the Pan Piping Hot

Make sure your pan is nice and hot before you add your rice and other ingredients. You want everything to cook together quickly, so that the rice gets very hot but doesn't overcook.

Step 2: Cook the Protein and Veggies

In a very hot skillet with 1 to 2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil, cook your protein, then remove it from the skillet. (If you're using leftover cooked protein, skip this step and add it later.) Add a little more oil to the skillet, make sure it's nice and hot, then add your ginger, garlic, and scallions. Cook for a minute or two, then add vegetables and cook them until crisp-tender.

Step 3: Season With 3 Key Ingredients

Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil (start with a ratio of 4:2:1 tablespoons, but you can modify this to taste), then add the cooked rice and cooked protein.

While not every recipe calls for this fried rice trifecta, many of our favorites do. Why? Soy sauce is the salt element, rice vinegar gives the dish a touch of brightness, and sesame oil lends an utterly delicious, toasty note.

Step 4: Heat Thoroughly

Heat everything through, then push the rice to the side of the skillet and stir in four beaten eggs. Work the eggs into the rice mixture as they cook. Serve immediately, topped with extra scallion greens and Sriracha or chili garlic sauce on the side, if desired.

Credit:

Cara Cormack

Fried Rice Topping Ideas

For a burst of extra flavor, try topping your fried rice with fresh herbs just before serving. A touch of cilantro, Thai basil, or even parsley can add a fresh contrast to the rich, savory flavors of your dish.

Adding fresh herbs can especially help balance the taste of your fried rice if its loaded with meat or fried proteins. It’s a simple finishing touch that can elevate your dish to the next level, giving it a lighter, brighter, and more vibrant taste.

Frequently Asked Questions