The 5 Best Chinese Fried Rice Recipes

Chinese fried rice is very popular around the world. It is easy to make, and you can add whatever you want. 

5 Chinese fried rice recipes

1.  Egg fried rice (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cooked long-grain rice
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups of vegetables — carrots, corn, peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp soy sauce (more to taste)
• a pinch of white pepper (optional)

Preparation:

1. Heat the pan over high heat for about 45 seconds; add 1/3 tbsp oil and coat the pan.
2. Add the vegetables to the pan and stir fry for 1-2 minutes. Turn off the heat, transfer the vegetables into a bowl, and set aside. Wash the pan.
3. Heat the pan on medium heat for about 30 seconds. Add the remaining oil (2/3 tbsp) and coat the pan.
4. Add the beaten eggs and scramble them with a spatula for about 20 seconds.
5. Add the rice to the pan and use the spatula to mix the rice and scrambled egg well.
6. Add the vegetables and white pepper.
7. Stir-fry for 10-15 minutes, add the soy sauce and scallions, and stir-fry for another 1 minute.
8. Turn the heat off, transfer the fried rice to a plate, and enjoy!

2.  Beef fried rice (Serves 4)

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

Marinade for the beef:

• ½ to 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• ½ tbsp oil
• ½ to 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ½ tbsp of cooking wine (optional)

Add the marinade ingredients to 8 oz (250 g) beef cut into thin strips and stir to combine. Let stand for 10-15 minutes. While waiting, prepare the other ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cold cooked rice
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp green onion
• Pinch of white pepper

Preparation:

1. Heat a frying pan for 1 minute and add 1 tbsp of oil. Add the onion and stir fry for about 1 minute.
2. Add the marinated beef and stir fry for about 2 minutes or until the beef changes color.
3. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
4. Add another 2 tbsp of oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add the rice, stirring and turning it over with a spatula to break up any clumps and to thoroughly heat the rice.
5. Add the salt and white pepper, and stir fry for 5-6 minutes. Add the cooked beef and green onion. Mix well with a spatula.
6. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!

3.  Shrimp fried rice (Serves 4)

Marinade for the shrimp:

• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp oil
• Pinch of white pepper
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Add the marinade ingredients to the shrimp, mix well, and set aside.

Ingredients:

• 6-8 ounces (200-250 g) raw prawns, shelled
• 4 cups cold cooked rice
• ½ cup frozen peas and carrots, defrosted
• 3 tbsp oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tbsp green onion
• 2 eggs, beaten

Preparation:

1. Heat the pan for 1 minute, then add 1 tbsp oil. Add the marinaded shrimp and stir fry for about 2 minutes or until they change color.
2. Remove the shrimp, place it in a bowl, and set aside. (If the shrimp stay in the pan and are stir-fried with the other ingredients, they will be overcooked.)
3. Add another 2 tbsp oil to the pan. Add the peas and carrots and stir fry for about 1 minute when the oil is hot. Then, add the rice. Stir and turn it over with the spatula to break up any clumps, and heat through.
4. Add the eggs, using the spatula to mix the rice and eggs gently. Then add the salt and white pepper, and stir fry for about 4-6 minutes. Add the cooked shrimp and green onion. Mix well with a spatula.
5. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!

4.  Yangzhou fried rice (Serves 4)

Yangzhou fried rice is one of the most popular varieties in China. The essential ingredient in this recipe is Chinese BBQ pork, or cha shao (叉烧), available in most Asian food markets.

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cold cooked rice
• ½ cup Chinese BBQ pork (叉烧) cut into ½ inch cubes
• ½ cup small shelled shrimp (prawns); use ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp sugar, and a pinch of white pepper to marinate for 10-15 minutes
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ cup green peas
• ½ cup chopped green onion
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Preparation:

1. Heat pan on high heat and add 2 tbsp of oil. Coat the pan with the oil, add the shrimp, and stir fry for about 1 minute or until the shrimp change color. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
2. Add the remaining oil to the pan, pour the beaten eggs, and scramble slightly. Add the rice, green peas, Chinese BBQ pork, and salt. Stir fry for several minutes until the rice becomes aromatic.
3. Drizzle in the soy sauce, add the cooked shrimp and green onion, and mix well.
4. Turn off the heat. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!

5.  Chinese sausage fried rice (Serves 4)

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes

Chinese sausages are seasoned, preserved sausages with a sweet, salty flavor. The oil from the sausage also flavors the rice. You will love this tasty, easy-to-make dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cold cooked rice
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 3 Chinese sausages, cut into 1cm cubes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chopped green onion
• ½ cup green peas
• 2 tbsp oil
• ½ to ¾ tsp salt

Preparation:

1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the eggs and scramble for about ½ minutes; remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the rest of the oil to the pan and add the garlic, Chinese sausage, and green peas. Stir fry for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the rice and salt to the pan, breaking up any clumps. Mix well with other ingredients (garlic, Chinese sausage, and green peas) for 5-6 minutes.
4. Add the scrambled egg and chopped green onion to the rice and mix well. Then turn off the heat.
5. Transfer to a plate and enjoy!

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