When the cravings for restaurant-style fried rice are too powerful to ignore, turn to your kitchen — not takeout — for a meal that truly satisfies. But how can you guarantee results that rival your go-to order? Start with the best rice for fried rice and set the groundwork for a recipe you won’t soon forget!
Quick to make, savory and satisfying, fried rice is a hugely popular dish around the globe. A perfect home for leftover proteins, veggies and rice, it can also be customized to suit every diner at your table. Try making your fried rice with seafood, crumbled Chinese sausage, sautéed chicken or nothing but a bounty of crisp, delicious vegetables; made with a wealth of tasty add-ins, fried rice is a complete meal however you approach it!
A one-pot meal that comes together with very little effort, fried rice is for busy weeknights and cooks that don’t have the luxury of time. Start with the best rice to use for fried rice, and pride yourself on a recipe that never fails.
What Makes a Great Fried Rice?
Much more than a simple bowl of rice, fried rice is savory and layered, bursting with umami from a host of delectable mix-ins. Still, without its main ingredient — perfect rice — it can fail to wow. So, how do you make exceptional fried rice? Multiple factors can affect your final dish, so pay attention to these tips:
- Texture is very important when making fried rice. You want to start with rice that isn’t mushy or al dente but cooked perfectly. Many cooks recommend using day-old rice, as the slightly drier texture is easier to sauté and won’t clump together.
- Perfect fried rice should feature separate grains that are coated in flavor, not soggy. Avoid adding too many sauces or too much oil to your dish. Instead, drizzle umami-packed condiments — such as sesame or chili oil and soy sauce — over your rice a little at a time until you find the perfect balance.
- For the best results, work quickly! Begin by setting out all of your ingredients in the order that you’ll need them. You won’t have time to prep things as you cook! Sauté proteins (such as shrimp, sausage, chicken or tofu) first, then set them aside. In the same wok, sauté your vegetables, such as scallions, diced bell peppers, garlic or bean sprouts. Add the rice and combine. At this stage, add the proteins back in, plus flavorings and egg, if using.
The Best Type of Rice for Fried Rice
Beyond how it’s cooked, it’s important to begin any fried rice recipe with the right type of rice. But with so many options, it can be hard to know what rice is best for fried rice!
Subtly flavored and aromatic, long-grain white rice, such as Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, is ideal for making fried rice dishes. Not only does jasmine rice add depth and a hint of sweetness to any final dish, it also absorbs every tasty flavor you throw at it. Jasmine rice is also low in starch, which is important as you want your fried rice dish to be light and fluffy, not clumped together.
While jasmine rice brings the right texture and flavor to fried rice dishes, other types of rice will lead to less-appealing results. Starchy, short-grain types of rice can be too sticky to make proper fried rice. Instead of a dish with separate grains, you’ll end up with a clumpier meal that is harder to season evenly. Though it adds whole grains to the final dish, brown rice can also be hard to work with when making fried rice. For best results when using Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, make it ahead of time and let it dry out before proceeding with your recipe.
Should You Use Day-Old Rice?
As mentioned above, many cooks swear by cold, day-old rice when making fried rice. Why? Leftover rice is drier than fresh rice. The lack of moisture in day-old rice makes it easier to sauté and allows each grain to crisp up slightly as it fries in hot oil.
If you know that fried rice is on tomorrow’s menu, do yourself a favor and make the rice today! Simply prep a bag or two of Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice. Allow the rice to cool slightly, then transfer to a storage container and place in the fridge within 1 hour of cooking. Leftover rice should be used within three days (or three months, if stored in the freezer).
No time to get a head start on tomorrow’s dinner? No problem! Mimic the texture of leftover rice by spreading freshly cooked rice onto a tray or baking sheet. Place the tray into the fridge for about 1 hour, then proceed with your recipe.
Other Tips for Preparing the Best Fried Rice
Despite its easy-breezy reputation, fried rice takes a little know-how to get just right! Follow these tips for terrific results every time:
- When prepping rice for fried rice, many experts recommend rinsing the grains to remove excess starch. To do so, simply rinse your rice in several changes of cool water until the water runs clear.
- You can also use slightly less water when making rice for fried rice. Instead of a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio, try using 1 cup of rice for every 1 1/4 cups of water.
- Plan ahead! Don’t wait until your rice is scorching in your wok to start combing through the fridge for ingredients. Instead, do all of your prep — from dicing vegetables and proteins to measuring sauces — before you start cooking.
- If using, scramble and season eggs in a small bowl. Once your vegetables, protein and rice are cooked and warm, simply move them to one side of your wok. Add the scrambled eggs to the other side and slowly scramble until soft. Then, stir the eggs into the rice and distribute evenly.
- As you add cold rice to your wok, break up any clumps with your fingers. Keep stirring and keep the wok moving in order to ensure ingredients cook evenly and are well-distributed.
- If you don’t have a wok, don’t worry! Any large frying pan or sauté pan can work well.
How to Cook Rice for Fried Rice
Looking for the best rice for fried rice recipe? Look no further! Keep in mind that when making fried rice, it’s best to begin the day before you plan to serve the fried rice. For two servings, prep one cup of jasmine rice (or one bag of Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice). For four servings, prep two cups (or two bags).
- If using regular jasmine rice, place rice in a sieve and rinse under cool, clean water. Skip this step for Success® Rice.
- For Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice, follow instructions on this page. For regular jasmine rice, place rice and 1.25 cups of water into a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, if desired. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 12 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed.
- Remove the rice from the heat and allow it to stand for 10 minutes, covered.
- If making fried rice the same day, spread the rice onto a tray or baking pan and transfer to the fridge for 1 hour. If making fried rice the following day, transfer the rice to a storage container and refrigerate until ready to proceed with your recipe.
Easy Fried Rice Recipes to Try
Whether you’re cooking for one or for a small army, fried rice is a versatile dinner that never fails to satisfy! No matter what style of fried rice you’re craving, find it among our favorites.
Quick and Easy Fried Rice
Master “fried rice 101,” with this straightforward recipe! A 20-minute meal that turns jasmine rice, ham, eggs, fresh vegetables and soy sauce into a lip-smacking meal, this is for fried-rice beginners and veterans craving a delectable, no-frills meal.
Lime Ginger Shrimp Fried Rice
Shrimp fried rice with a fruity twist, this dish is a sweet and citrusy departure from ordinary meals. Featuring a tropical blend of sautéed shrimp, mango, ginger and lime, this fried rice dish gives off serious vacation vibes.
Vegetable Fried Rice with Bean Sprouts
Made with Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, this savory supper is bursting with colorful vegetables and loads of flavor. When the crisper is overflowing with forgotten produce — a couple of mushrooms, some broccoli, half a bell pepper, etc. — give it new life in this crowd-pleasing dish.
Chicken Fried Rice
Leftover chicken pairs with jasmine rice, frozen vegetables and more in this weeknight-friendly riff on a takeout go-to. Soy sauce adds an umami punch here but feel free to amp up the flavor even more with hoisin or a generous drizzle of chili oil.
Fried Rice with Ham and Pine Nuts
An unexpected combination of add-ins lead to tempting results in this unique fried rice recipe! Creamy and nutty with irresistible crunch, toasted pine nuts add texture and depth of flavor to this brown rice main.
Turmeric Fried Rice with Greens
With a bounty of fresh and frozen vegetables, this plant-based main is brimming with goodness. Eggs add protein, Success® boil-in-bag white rice adds heft, and a generous dose of turmeric, soy sauce and lime juice guarantee that every bite is beautifully seasoned.
Fried Rice with Turkey and Pint Nuts
When life gives you leftover turkey, consider it the first step towards this 30-minute meal! Paired with your favorite type of Success® Rice, sautéed mushrooms, peppers, pine nuts and a hint of soy, this dish is the epitome of comfort after a long day.
Bacon and Eggs Fried Rice
For breakfast, brunch — or days when you simply want breakfast for dinner — this dish tempts with its blend of salty, punchy, comforting goodness. Though we love this dish with eggs, bacon, carrots, peas and bell peppers, we’re sure nobody would complain if you used sausage, ham and mushrooms instead!
Beef Thai Basil Fried Rice
Gussied up with a sweet and tangy sauce, this Thai-style beef fried rice feels like it emerged from a popular neighborhood restaurant. But don’t let that scare you! With a stocked kitchen, and just 20 minutes of hands-on cooking, you can whip this dish up even without a culinary school degree.
Sinangag Filipino Garlic Fried Rice
Though often served as a side, this savory, garlic-infused rice dish is bold enough to stand on its own. Add more body to every bite by tossing some grilled shrimp or sausage, fried tofu or chicken strips into the mix.