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    Home > Asian

    Egg Fried Rice

    Published: Mar 4, 2021 · Modified: Oct 22, 2021 by Nicky Corbishley

    Go to Recipe Go to Video Print Recipe

    A quick recipe for takeaway-style egg fried rice with loads of flavour!
    Check out THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP for ensuring your rice isn't sticky or claggy.
    Such a great dish to serve up as part of a homemade Chinese fakeaway!

    Egg fried rice in a dark bowl on a white background with wooden chopsticks.

    Jump to:
    • 📋 What do we need?
    • ❓ MSG or no MSG?
    • 🔪 How to make egg fried rice
    • 🍽️ What to serve it with
    • 📺 Watch how to make it
    • 🍲 More fantastic rice recipes
    • Egg Fried Rice
    • 💬 Reviews

    Once you get the knack of remembering to boil a pan of rice in the morning, so you can have cold rice - which is really important for making the tastiest fried rice - this recipe will become a staple for serving up with any of your Chinese fakeaway dinners (or just eat it on its own for lunch!).

    Alternatively, I often cook a batch of boiled rice and freeze it. Then I can just let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator, ready for frying it up with dinner the next day.

    📋 What do we need?

    Ingredients for egg fried rice on a wooden table.
    • Use long grain rice if you can. Basmati does work almost as well, so does brown rice, but long grain white rice is the best.

    ❓ MSG or no MSG?

    There have been so many controversial discussions about MSG (monosodium glutamate).

    MSG is a flavour enhancer. It's naturally found in some foods, but the MSG I'm talking about here is the stuff that looks like tiny thin longish strands of salt.
    It's often associated with Chinese cookery and it helps to give dishes that lovely umami flavour.

    There have been many studies done on it, so it's worth doing some research if you're unsure.

    From my own experience, we grew up with a packet of MSG always in the cupboard. My dad always added it to fried rice, and I've made fried rice MANY times both with and without MSG.
    Personally I haven't got a problem with it. BUT I rarely use it.
    Why?
    Well we don't live close to any good Asian grocery shops here. Also, I don't think that fried rice NEEDS it. I add salt, garlic salt and soy soy sauce to my fried rice for the same umami flavour.
    It's worth noting that some garlic salt and soy sauce contains MSG anyway (I've just checked mine and they don't, but it's not something that I look out for when buying).

    If you do want to use MSG, you can replace the ¼ tsp garlic salt with ¼ tsp MSG.

    🔪 How to make egg fried rice

    **Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.**

    • Fry onion in a little oil in the wok, then add minced garlic and cook for further 30 seconds.
    • Add the rice, knock up the heat to high and drizzle over a little sesame oil. Toss everything together with a spatula. Note: Using a spatula is important as it allows you to get underneath the rice and toss it, rather than break up the rice grains (if you were to stir with a spoon for example).
    • Once the rice is hot, push the rice over to the side of the pan and crack in two eggs.
    • Cook the eggs over the heat, stirring together with a splash of soy sauce, then stir the eggs into the rice.
    • Add more soy sauce, plus a sprinkle of salt and garlic salt and a drizzle of lemon juice. Toss everything together, then serve.
    8 image collage showing how to make egg fried rice.

    👩‍🍳PRO TIP Be sure to use cooked cold rice - rather than warm rice. Rice dries a little as it cools, and then dryness will help stop the fried rice going sticky and claggy. Rice that has cooled and dried a little will also absorb more flavour.

    Serve up with your favourite Chinese dish or even on its own.

    Egg fried rice in a wok.

    🍽️ What to serve it with

    • Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • Crispy Sesame Chicken
    • Spicy Ginger Beef Stir Fry
    • Crispy Chilli Beef
    • Chinese Beef Curry

    Ingredient Swaps

    Add chopped bell peppers, peas, finely chopped mushrooms and/or carrots

    Add cooked, shredded chicken for Chicken Fried Rice or add in any leftover shredded/chopped meat from your Roast Dinner.

    How to scale up and scale down this recipe

    You can halve or double the recipe, sticking to the same ingredient ratios. If doubling the recipe, be aware that you'll need a LARGE wok, and it will take longer to heat the rice through.

    Egg fried rice in a bowl with chopsticks in the background

    📺 Watch how to make it

    🍲 More fantastic rice recipes

    • Square image of Pilau rice in a black bowl on a dark surface
      Pilau Rice Recipe
    • nasi goreng rice on a plate, topped with a fried egg and sweet chilli sauce
      Nasi Goreng - Indonesian Fried Rice
    • Square image of a bowl of fried rice on blue background
      Special Fried Rice Masterclass
    • Cauliflower fried rice on a grey plate on a light background
      Cauliflower Fried Rice
    • Chicken Fried Rice on a white plate topped with spring onions
      Chicken Fried Rice
    • Wooden spoon in a pan of boiled rice
      How to Cook Rice Perfectly

    Stay updated with new recipes!
    Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).

    Egg fried rice on a dark bowl on a white background.

    Egg Fried Rice

    By: Nicky Corbishley
    A quick recipe for takeaway-style egg fried rice with loads of flavour! Great for serving up as part of a homemade Chinese fakeaway.
    5 from 10 votes
    Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4
    Calories 358 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
    • 1 onion peeled and diced
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
    • 4 cups (800g) boiled and cooled long grain rice - (this is about 1 ⅓ cups (300g) dried rice that has been boiled in water)
    • ½ tbsp sesame oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp garlic salt
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice - (fresh or bottled is fine)

    To Serve:

    • ½ bunch of spring onions/scallions chopped

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Add 1 tbsp of the oil in a large wok. Add the onion and cook, stirring regularly on a medium heat for 5 minutes until the onion starts to turn soft and translucent.
    • Add in the remaining vegetable oil and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook for a further 30 seconds, stirring regularly.
    • Add the rice and turn up the heat to high. Then drizzle over the sesame oil.
    • Use a spatula to toss everything together and to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Keep moving the rice around so that it's all getting reheated.
    • Once the rice is hot (this will take about 5 minutes), push the rice over to the side of the pan and crack the two eggs in the space. Add a little splash (about ¼ tbsp) of the soy sauce to the eggs.
    • Making sure the part of the wok with the eggs in is over the heat, fry the eggs, giving a mix with the spatula until the egg starts to cook and look scrambled, but is still a little runny.
    • Now mix the egg into the rice.
    • Pour in the remaining soy sauce (about 1 ¾ tbsp), sprinkle on the ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp of garlic salt and mix it all together.
    • Add ½ tbsp of the lemon juice, stir and taste. Add a little more lemon juice if required.
    • Divide between 4 bowls. Top with spring onions (scallions).
    • Serve with your favourite Chinese dish. I love to serve it with Crispy Sesame Chicken or Sweet and Sour Chicken or Sticky Pork Belly.

    Video

    ✎ Notes

    1. Can I make it ahead?

    Yes! I think reheated fried rice actually tastes better! 
    Cook the rice, then spread it out in a large dish (so it will cool quickly) cover and refrigerate for up to a day. Don't leave cooked rice out at room temperature. Bacteria can grow on cooked rice very quickly, so it's important to:
    • Refrigerate it as quickly as possible
    • Don't store for more than 24 hours in the fridge, and
    • Thoroughly reheat it.
    Reheat in a wok, over a medium-high heat, moving it around the pan with a spatula, until piping hot throughout. You may need to add an extra splash of oil, as the rice will have absorbed the oil whilst in the fridge.
    I would also add an extra squeeze of lemon juice and some fresh chopped spring onions (scallions) on top before serving.

    2. Can I freeze it?

    Yes, you can freeze this egg fried rice. 
    Cook the rice, then spread it out in a large dish (so it will cool quickly) cover and freeze.
    As per the instructions above - Don't leave cooked rice out at room temperature. Bacteria can grow on cooked rice very quickly, so it's important to:
    • Freeze it as quickly as possible
    • Defrost in the refrigerator overnight (and don't store for more than 24 hours)
    • Thoroughly reheat it.
    Reheat in a wok, over a medium-high heat, moving it around the pan with a spatula, until piping hot throughout. You will need to add an extra splash of oil, as the rice will have absorbed the oil upon storing.
    Add an extra squeeze of lemon juice and some fresh chopped spring onions (scallions) on top before serving.

    3. Nutritional information is per serving

    - this recipe serves 4

    Nutrition

    Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 10gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 830mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1250IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 1mg
    Keywords better than takeout, Fakeaway, rice
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KitchenSanctuary or tag #KitchenSanctuary on Instagram!

    Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Joy Kolstad says

      August 04, 2023 at 11:04 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy and simple

      Reply
    2. Maddie says

      July 04, 2023 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing. Tasted better than if I was to order as a takeaway over in the UK. Lovely simple flavours that don’t cost a fortune.

      Reply
    3. Louise Van Heerden says

      April 25, 2023 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      Perfect combination of ingredients. Good step by step recipe

      Reply
    4. Jean hinds says

      March 21, 2023 at 6:16 am

      To make this dish for 2 people, do you half recipe including sauce ingredients?

      Reply
    5. Janet says

      February 15, 2023 at 6:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is now my go to recipe, loved it

      Reply
    6. Jayne says

      January 12, 2023 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Thank you for a great recipe I’ve just made this for lunch 😋

      Reply
    7. Nicolene van Coller says

      October 26, 2022 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      This is a really great recipe thank you Nicky, it will definitely be my go to recipe for egg fried rice in the future. Love your website too!!!

      Reply
    8. Karisa wise says

      April 25, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      I’m using brown jasmine precooked rice and it’s extremely sticky
      Any advice?

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        May 23, 2022 at 7:24 pm

        5 stars
        I used a wok so the rice doesn't stick to it also used basmati rice the microwave one then put it into the wok it cooked really well.

        Reply
    9. Andy Hinson says

      January 31, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      Easy to make, well explained and delicious. Great results first time.

      Reply
    10. Olivia says

      April 16, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best egg fried rice I’ve ever made and it tastes pretty similar to the rice I’ve had from a Chinese takeaway before

      Reply
    11. Agatha says

      March 06, 2021 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      Having never cooked egg fried rice before, this was so tasty, after buying a few extra ingredients i dont usually store we were excited about cooking this alongside kitchen sanctuarys crispy beef, fun saturday night cooking and lovely and tasty

      Reply

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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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