If you’ve ever craved takeout but wanted something homemade and comforting, Easy Egg Fried Rice is your answer! This satisfying, quick-fix recipe is brimming with savory goodness, springy egg, and pops of vegetable color — all in less than 20 minutes. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a way to reinvent leftovers, this Easy Egg Fried Rice will become your new go-to savory rice dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Fast: You’ll have Easy Egg Fried Rice on the table in just 15 minutes — perfect for busy days and sudden cravings.
- Incredibly Flexible: Use whatever veggies or proteins you have on hand; this recipe welcomes your creativity and kitchen clean-out moments.
- Full of Flavor: The combination of soy sauce, aromatic onions, and a splash of sesame oil makes each bite sing.
- Budget and Family Friendly: Feed a crowd with simple pantry staples — no fancy ingredients or takeout bill required!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You truly don’t need a long grocery list for Easy Egg Fried Rice. These staple ingredients come together to create that signature savory, colorful, and oh-so-satisfying dish — each one plays a part in flavor, texture, and even that classic fried rice aroma!
- Day-old white rice: Cold, leftover rice is the secret to non-mushy fried rice with perfectly separated grains.
- Large eggs: The star protein! Fluffy scrambled eggs add richness and beautiful golden color.
- Yellow onion: Just a bit, diced small, brings aromatic depth and a subtle sweet bite.
- Frozen peas and carrots (optional): For pops of texture, color, and a hint of sweetness — thaw before using.
- Shaoxing rice wine (optional): A splash creates restaurant-style complexity, but skip if you don’t have it on hand.
- Light sodium soy sauce: The essential salty-umami backbone of classic fried rice.
- Oyster sauce: Adds a dose of savory and a little shine — don’t skip if you crave takeout flavor!
- Toasted sesame oil (optional): Just a dribble at the end infuses that irresistible nutty aroma.
- Green onion (optional, for garnish): Sliced on top for a fresh, bright finish.
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish): Sprinkle for texture and just a hint of crunch.
- Oil, as needed: For keeping everything sizzling without sticking — use a neutral oil or whatever you like best.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Easy Egg Fried Rice? It’s endlessly customizable. Tweak the recipe to suit your mood, whatever’s in your fridge, or any dietary needs. Consider these simple swaps and fun add-ins to make the recipe uniquely yours!
- Protein Boost: Toss in diced ham, cooked chicken, shrimp, or even tofu for a heartier meal.
- Veggie Overload: Add bell peppers, corn, mushrooms, spinach, or any quick-cooking vegetable you love.
- No Oyster Sauce: Swap for a splash of extra soy sauce or a sprinkle of mushroom seasoning if you want to go vegetarian.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of white pepper, a drizzle of sriracha, or stir in chili crisp for a gentle kick.
- Low-Carb Version: Substitute riced cauliflower for the rice – a clever way to sneak in more veggies!
How to Make Easy Egg Fried Rice
Step 1: Prep and Separate the Rice
Start by breaking up your cold, day-old rice. I like to rub it gently between my hands so every grain separates — no clumps! For even less mess, you can pop the rice into a big zip-top bag, seal it, and massage it through the plastic. This gets that signature fluffy, tender texture in Easy Egg Fried Rice, instead of a sticky clump.
Step 2: Scramble the Eggs
Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large, nonstick pan over medium-high. Pour in the beaten eggs when the oil is shimmering — they should instantly sizzle and start to bubble. Let the eggs sit for a few seconds, then gently scramble into soft curds. Remove and set the eggs aside; they’ll go back in later for that beautiful marbled look.
Step 3: Stir-Fry Veggies
Add a little more oil to the pan. Toss in your diced onions, peas, and carrots, and stir-fry rapidly — about 15 to 30 seconds — until the onion is fragrant and translucent, and your veggies look bright and happy. Don’t overcook; we want color and a bit of crunch!
Step 4: Combine with Rice and Eggs
Toss your separated rice and scrambled eggs back into the hot pan. Drizzle a splash of oil around the sides to help everything move and fry. Stir-fry for a minute or so, letting the rice soak up all those delicious flavors from the pan.
Step 5: Add Sauces & Final Stir-Fry
Drizzle the Shaoxing wine (if using) around the pan, letting it bubble and cook off until you can no longer smell the alcohol. Then, add your soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly — the rice should turn an even golden color and smell absolutely irresistible. Finish by tossing in the sesame oil and sliced green onions. Give it all one last good stir.
Step 6: Garnish & Serve
Take your Easy Egg Fried Rice off the heat while it’s still piping hot. Sprinkle over extra green onion and toasted sesame seeds if you like a fancy finish. Serve right away and enjoy every savory spoonful!
Pro Tips for Making Easy Egg Fried Rice
- Rice Matters Most: Always use day-old, chilled rice — freshly cooked rice tends to clump and won’t fry up light and fluffy!
- High Heat, Quick Hands: Crank up the heat and keep everything moving — the “wok hei” (that signature smoky aroma) comes from a blazing pan and fast stir-fry.
- Prep Everything First: Have all ingredients ready before you start cooking, since the actual stir-fry happens in just minutes.
- Sauce Evenly: Drizzle soy sauce around the edge of the pan, not just over the top — this step lets it caramelize for even deeper flavor.
How to Serve Easy Egg Fried Rice
Garnishes
A final sprinkle of sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds makes your Easy Egg Fried Rice pop both in color and flavor. If you want to get a little fancy, try adding some thinly sliced fresh chilies, a dash of white pepper, or even a few crunchy fried shallots on top for an extra-special finish.
Side Dishes
This dish is lovely all on its own, but it also plays well with others! Pair it with quick stir-fried veggies, crisp spring rolls, grilled chicken, or even a bowl of hot and sour soup. Easy Egg Fried Rice is the ultimate sidekick to any Asian-inspired meal spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Scoop your Easy Egg Fried Rice into fun bowls, press it into a ramekin for a cute dome shape, or pile it into lettuce wraps for a hands-on twist. For a party platter, scatter with extra green onions and sesame seeds, or ring with sliced cucumbers for a refreshing border.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Egg Fried Rice stores like a dream! Place cooled rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This makes a perfect lunchbox filler or a speedy snack whenever you’re hungry.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Easy Egg Fried Rice for up to one month. Scoop portions into zip-top freezer bags, squeeze out the extra air, and lay flat for easy stacking. Thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat directly from frozen.
Reheating
To reheat, sprinkle the rice with a spoonful of water and microwave covered until hot, or quickly re-stir-fry it in a pan with a touch of oil. This keeps the rice moist, fluffy, and as delicious as when you first made it.
FAQs
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Can I use freshly cooked rice for Easy Egg Fried Rice?
Using freshly cooked rice is possible in a pinch, but day-old, refrigerated rice works best. Fresh rice can be too moist and sticky, so if you must use it, spread it on a tray and chill briefly to dry it out as much as possible.
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What’s the best pan to use for making Easy Egg Fried Rice?
A wok is classic and helps achieve that signature seared flavor, but a large nonstick skillet works beautifully too. Just make sure it’s hot before you start adding ingredients!
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How do I prevent my fried rice from turning out soggy?
The key is using day-old rice and high heat. Keep the rice moving so it fries instead of steams, and avoid over-saucing — add soy sauce gradually until the color is just right.
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Can I make Easy Egg Fried Rice without oyster sauce?
Absolutely! Just swap in a bit more soy sauce or use a vegetarian “oyster sauce” made from mushrooms. The dish will still be wonderfully flavorful and satisfying.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll give this Easy Egg Fried Rice a try very soon — nothing beats the homemade aroma and unbeatable flavor! It’s pure weeknight comfort but special enough for sharing. Grab your wok, a few simple ingredients, and make some kitchen magic tonight!
PrintEasy Egg Fried Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Egg Fried Rice recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic Asian dish at home. Made with simple ingredients like day-old rice, eggs, veggies, and flavorful sauces, this dish is perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups day old white rice, preferably long grain
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 small yellow onion, small dice
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine (optional)
- 2 tablespoons light sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (optional)
- 1 stalk green onion, just the green part sliced (optional for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
- Oil as needed for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare Rice: Break apart the day-old rice by rubbing it between your hands or in a bag until grains are separated.
- Cook Eggs: In a wok or pan, cook beaten eggs until scrambled, then set aside.
- Sauté Veggies: Sauté onion, peas, and carrots until fragrant.
- Add Rice and Eggs: Stir in rice, scrambled eggs, and additional oil.
- Season and Finish: Add Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Finish with green onions.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional green onions and sesame seeds before serving hot.
Notes
- Day-old long-grain rice works best for this recipe for the ideal texture.
- If using fresh rice, ensure it is slightly drier than usual for better results.
- For stickier rice types, lightly coat grains in oil before stir-frying with veggies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 500 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
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