Fried rice is among the best and most versatile dishes you may make at dwelling. When you perceive the method, you possibly can create countless variations utilizing what you have already got in your kitchen.
Fried rice is a type of dishes that by no means goes out of fashion. It’s fast, comforting, endlessly customizable, and an ideal approach to flip easy substances into one thing crave-worthy. Throughout Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, and different components of Asia, fried rice takes on totally different flavors and strategies, however the coronary heart of the dish stays the identical: cooked rice, excessive warmth, and simply the correct stability of seasoning.
On this information, I’ll present you precisely the best way to make nice fried rice at dwelling, share my favourite variations, and stroll you thru the guidelines I exploit in my very own kitchen. Whether or not you’re craving rooster fried rice, shrimp fried rice, or a easy vegan fried rice, this information will make it easier to get it proper each time.
What’s Fried Rice?
Fried rice is a rice dish made by stir frying cooked rice with eggs, greens, protein, and seasonings in a wok or skillet. Whereas it’s typically considered a “leftover dish,” conventional fried rice is definitely constructed round method:
- Utilizing dry, cooled rice
- Cooking over excessive warmth
- Including substances in phases
- Seasoning calmly and exactly
When accomplished effectively, fried rice ought to be gentle, barely chewy, and stuffed with smoky and savory flavors.
Finest Rice for Fried Rice
The inspiration of fine fried rice is day-old rice.
That’s as a result of freshly made rice comprises an excessive amount of moisture. When it hits a scorching wok, it tends to steam as an alternative of fry. Rice that has been chilled for at the very least a couple of hours within the fridge, or ideally in a single day, comprises much less moisture and has a firmer texture.
That being mentioned, in the event you don’t have day-old rice, the subsequent smartest thing is to unfold contemporary rice on a baking sheet and refrigerate it for 2-3 hours. This can take away a number of the moisture and agency up the feel.
Really helpful Rice Sorts
Completely different cuisines use several types of rice:
- Japanese fried rice: Japanese short-grain rice
- Chinese language and Thai fried rice: jasmine rice
- Filipino garlic rice: medium-grain rice or jasmine rice
To discover ways to cook dinner all these rice, please seek advice from my guides on the best way to cook dinner jasmine rice and Japanese rice. Or, please seek advice from this publish if you’re utilizing a rice cooker, or this publish in the event you’d prefer to make rice in a gradual cooker.
Important Substances
Most fried rice recipes are likely to have a reasonably easy substances record. For a fundamental restaurant model fried rice, substances are usually rice (jasmine rice or Japanese quick grain) and eggs, and from there you possibly can add:
- Greens: Onions, leeks, carrots, inexperienced peas, snow peas, cabbage, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, or bell peppers.
- Proteins: Roasted pork is a typical add-on to Chinese language fried rice whereas ham is in Japanese fried rice. Hen, tofu, seafood like shrimp and squid, and vegetarian meat options are all widespread additions as effectively.
- Seasoning: Soy sauce, oyster sauce, Maggi seasoning, fish sauce, powdered inventory, msg, salt and pepper, are all in style decisions for seasonings. Finely chopped pickled greens, such a pickled mustard greens or zha cai (Sichuan preserved greens) may also be used.
- Finishers: Toppers equivalent to chopped inexperienced onions, crispy garlic chips, toasted sesame oil, chili oil, sesame seeds, and furikake.
Learn how to Make Fried Rice (Fundamental Technique)
Step 1: Prep your whole substances first. Fried rice cooks rapidly! Have all substances chopped and sauces close by and able to use earlier than you begin.
Step2: Warmth your wok or skillet. Use a giant skillet or wok over excessive warmth. The skillet ought to be scorching earlier than including something to it.
Step 3: Sauté aromatics. Add the garlic, onions, or different aromatics and cook dinner briefly till aromatic.
Step 4: Add the rice. Add the rice to the skillet and break it up utilizing a spatula. Stir fry the rice and blend it with the aromatics till the rice is scorching and fluffy.
Step 5: Season. Add the seasonings of your selection and stir fry to mix.
Step 6: End. Flip the warmth off and switch the fried rice to a serving bowl or plate. Sprinkle or drizzle toppings earlier than serving.
When to Add The Eggs: I haven’t included eggs in the principle steps above as a result of the timing is determined by the model of fried rice you’re making. For Chinese language-style fried rice, calmly scramble the eggs first, take away them from the pan, and set them apart. Add them again to the wok ultimately, after the seasonings. For Japanese fried rice, wait till the rice and different substances are cooked, then push all the things to 1 aspect of the wok. Add the eggs to the empty aspect, scramble them, and fold them into the rice.
Suggestions for Perfecting Fried Rice
- Don’t overcrowd the wok. An excessive amount of rice = steaming as an alternative of frying.
- Use Excessive Warmth. Warmth is important to get the ‘wok hei’ – barely caramelized and smoky – taste.
- Season Progressively. Add soy sauce and different liquid seasoning in small quantities to forestall over salting or making the rice mushy. You possibly can at all times add extra later.
- Let the Rice Sit. Don’t stir always. Letting the rice relaxation creates good crispy bits and provides a smoky aspect.
- Style Earlier than Serving. At all times style and season earlier than serving. Whether or not it wants a little bit salt, pepper, or sesame oil, it’s at all times greatest to do it within the skillet.
Common Fried Rice Types Round Asia
Japanese Fried Rice (Yakimeshi) – Japanese fried rice focuses on easy seasoning and a chewy texture. It’s typically made with short-grain rice and calmly flavored with soy sauce.
Chinese language Egg Fried Rice – This model highlights fluffy eggs and minimal substances. Egg fried rice could also be easy to make however is surprisingly stuffed with taste.
Kimchi Fried Rice (Korea) – Kimchi provides warmth, tanginess, and loads of depth. Making kimchi fried rice is among the best methods to make use of leftover kimchi.
Thai Fried Rice – Thai fried rice is filled with savory and smoky flavors, and completed with fish sauce and lime.
Filipino Garlic Rice – Made with aromatic garlic oil and loaded with crispy garlic chips, Filipino garlic rice is a breakfast staple within the Philippines.
Different in style fried rice recipes are Korean breakfast fried rice, Hong Kong-style fried rice, and the a lot cherished omurice.
For a set of fried recipes, try this publish on Common Fried Rice Recipes. Whether or not you’re cooking for your self or feeding your loved ones, these recipes are designed to be dependable, flavorful, and simple to like.
Basis Fried Rice
That is my fundamental beginning recipe that I customise for various types and substances.
- Place a wok or deep skillet over excessive warmth and let the wok heat up for 1 minute.
- When the wok is scorching, add the oil and garlic and cook dinner for 10 seconds.
- Add the chopped leek, carrot, and inexperienced peas and stir fry for two minutes.
- Add the rice and break it up with a spatula or rice paddle. Toss the rice till it’s heat and the grains have separated.
- Push the rice to 1 aspect of the wok and add the eggs to the opposite aspect (the empty aspect).
- Scramble them and fold them into the rice.
- Drizzle the soy sauce and toasted sesame oil and toss effectively to mix the flavors.
- Flip the warmth off and add the inexperienced onions. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Whereas a wok is historically used for fried rice due to its excessive warmth and sloped sides, a big skillet works simply as effectively in a house kitchen. The bottom line is utilizing a skillet that retains warmth and provides the rice sufficient room to fry as an alternative of steam. That is how the well-known ‘wok hei’ (smoky, barely charred) taste is achieved.
As much as 3-5 days refrigerated in an hermetic container.
Sure, however let the rice cool all the way down to room temperature earlier than freezing it. I like to recommend portioning the rice and saving it in freezer baggage.
Unfold it out with a spatula, then press calmly and wait 20 to 30 seconds. The warmth ought to separate the grains and make it simpler to handle.
