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Homemade quick and easy fried rice with scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions in a ceramic bowl.

Quick and Easy Fried Rice

Quick and easy homemade fried rice made with cold rice, scrambled eggs, peas, carrots, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. A simple 20-minute meal that's perfect for using leftover rice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cooked and thoroughly chilled long-grain or jasmine rice
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
  • 4 green onions sliced, white and green portions separated
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Break apart any clumps in the cold rice.
  2. Whisk eggs in a small bowl.
  3. Combine soy sauce and sesame oil separately.
  4. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  5. Add a little oil and scramble eggs until just set.
  6. Transfer eggs to a plate.
  7. Add remaining oil to the skillet.
  8. Add peas, carrots, and pale green-onion portions.
  9. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes.
  10. Add garlic and cook for 20–30 seconds.
  11. Add cold rice and break apart remaining clumps.
  12. Spread rice over the skillet and let it cook briefly without stirring.
  13. Toss and repeat for several minutes.
  14. Add butter and toss until melted.
  15. Pour in soy sauce and sesame oil mixture.
  16. Return scrambled eggs.
  17. Add most of the green onion tops.
  18. Season with black pepper.
  19. Toss for another 1–2 minutes and taste.
  20. Serve immediately with remaining green onions.

Notes

Cold leftover rice produces the best texture.
Use a large skillet to prevent overcrowding.
Don't add too much soy sauce at once.
Have all ingredients prepared before heating the skillet because fried rice cooks quickly.
Reheat leftovers until steaming hot throughout.