Day-old rice is the secret to the perfect fried rice texture. Freshly cooked rice tends to be too moist and sticky, but chilled rice from the fridge is firm and dry, which helps it fry up beautifully. If you don’t have leftover rice, you can spread freshly cooked rice on a baking sheet and let it cool for 20–30 minutes before using.
Ingredients for fried rice:
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 large eggs, whiskey
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 cups cooked leftover rice
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3–4 tablespoons soy sauce, or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons oyster sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Steps:
Step 1: Heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan* over medium-high heat until melted. Add egg, and cook until scrambled, stirring occasionally. Remove egg, and transfer to a separate plate.
Step 2: Add an additional 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and heat until melted. Add carrots, onion, peas and garlic, and season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onion and carrots are soft. Increase heat to high, add in the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter, and stir until melted.
Step 3: Immediately add the rice, green onions, soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using), and stir until combined. Continue sautéing for an additional 3 minutes to fry the rice, stirring occasionally. Then add in the eggs and stir to combine.
Step 4: Remove from heat, and stir in the sesame oil until combined. Taste and season with extra soy sauce, if needed.
Step 5: Serve, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Leftover rice is not only a convenient ingredient but also the perfect base for a delicious fried rice meal. Whether you have a bit of rice left from dinner, are planning a quick meal, or want to use up ingredients in your fridge, fried rice is the way to go. With endless options for customization based on what you have on hand, it can easily be tailored to suit various tastes and dietary preferences. So, take out that leftover rice, get your veggies and proteins ready, and enjoy this flavorful and satisfying dish!
