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Easy Fried Rice, Chinese Style

Tastier than takeout, this Chinese fried rice recipe is a healthy, customizable dish that’s perfect on any night of the week. Serve egg fried rice on its own or pair it with your favorite Asian dishes. 

ham fried rice recipe with egg in a wok
This egg fried rice recipe is made in a single wok or large skillet, which means easy cleanup!

Chinese Fried Rice

Fried rice made a regular appearance in my mom and my grandma’s dinner rotation, as it’s super easy to make and comes together quickly once you have all your add-ins ready to go. With leftover rice, a couple of eggs, and whatever vegetables or proteins they had on hand, this simple and flavorful fried rice was a natural go-to. To this day, I love this easy fried rice for its simplicity and flexibility. Even our boys have made this dish on their own; we hope you’ll love it just as much as our family does.

Video: Watch us Make This Recipe

How This Recipe Stands Out

  • Egg fried rice is great way to use up leftovers, it’s loaded with inexpensive ingredients and easily customized to fit all your needs and preferences. 
  • Egg fried rice is made in a large wok or a large, deep pan for a quick option that’s easy to clean up
  • Full of veggies, carbs, and protein, egg fried rice is a satisfying meal on its own but makes for a delicious side dish, too. 
  • One batch of egg fried rice is enough to feed a crowd, and leftovers can be stored to enjoy throughout the week. 
  • Chinese fried rice is guaranteed to be loved by both kids and adults alike.
  • This easy fried rice is so much healthier than takeout and happens to be gluten-free.

What Kind of Rice Should I use for The Best Fried Rice?

The secret to making the best fried rice recipe that’s even better than takeout is in the type of rice you use. Technically, any leftover rice you have on hand can be used. However, if you really want the best fried rice, it’s important to: 

  • Use cold, leftover cooked rice. Letting your rice sit, covered, in the fridge for 1-2 nights draws out some of the moisture, preventing the grains from sticking to each other and becoming mushy in the wok or pan.
  • Opt for long-grain rice. Long grain rice like Jasmine rice is sturdier and less sticky than short grain or medium grain varieties. As a result, long grain rice cooks up in individual, separated grains and becomes fluffy without clumping together.
a bowl of ham fried rice with egg
Serve this egg fried rice all on its own or as a side dish, with your favorite Asian dishes.

Egg Fried Rice Variations

One of the best things about fried rice is that it can easily be customized to include any ingredients you have on hand. For instance, some fun variations include: 

  • Incorporating different vegetables, such as bell peppers or shiitake mushrooms
  • Including protein sources like Chinese sausage, shrimp, cooked ground meat, or cooked chicken. 
  • Mixing some kimchi into the rice.  
  • Adding pineapple with ham, for a tropical fried rice. 
  • Using cooked ground sausage or crumbled bacon with the eggs, for a breakfast fried rice.
  • Using leftover brown rice, for a healthy fried rice.

Pro-Tips for Best Results

Although its bold flavors might make it seem complicated to create, this egg fried rice recipe is really quite simple to whip up, especially when you follow the tips below! 

  • Use a Large Wok or Large, Deep Pan. You’ll want to use a wok that’s quite large in order to allow the rice plenty of room to spread out and fry without overcooking. It also allows for easy tossing and mixing without ingredients spilling over or falling to the floor. 
  • Work Quickly. Have your ingredients measured, chopped, and ready to go. Allow the wok to heat up completely. Then work quickly, keeping the ingredients moving to cook and combine so that they do not char or burn. 
  • Season as You Cook. The soy sauce and seasonings will provide plenty of flavor. You’ll start with a basic amount, and you can add more at the end, so as not to overpower your rice. 
  • Don’t Overcook the Eggs. We prefer to cook the eggs separately and add them back to the dish. However, you can also cook them in the wok with the other ingredients. Just be sure to push other ingredients to the side of the pan, away from the center to provide an empty “well” in the middle where you can quickly scramble the eggs.
overhead image of a bowl of ham fried rice with egg and vegetables
Make sure to use cold, long-grain rice such as leftover Jasmine rice for the best fried rice.

What to Serve with Egg Fried Rice

Feel free to serve this egg fried rice on its own as a complete meal, as it already contains plenty of protein and vegetables in one dish. Otherwise, pair it with your favorite Asian main courses for a full spread! Some of our favorite serving suggestions include: 

  • Dad’s Asian Chicken Wings – these are my dad’s secret chicken wings, which we devoured on the regular.
  • Fish with Black Bean Sauce – a classic Chinese dish, this recipe is packed with flavor and is super easy to make; even “non-fish-eaters” enjoy this one.
  • Orange Chicken – you can’t even compare homemade orange chicken with takeout; this orange chicken is authentically made, with a luscious orange sauce.
  • Kung Pao Chicken – kung pao chicken is actually healthy when you make it at home. It’s teeming with flavor and delicious with plain jasmine rice or egg fried rice.

Make Ahead and Storage Options

This easy fried rice recipe is great to prepare in advance! To keep it fresh, let it cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month

When you’re ready to eat, let your rice thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the microwave or over medium heat in a wok or skillet the next day. Tip: If fried rice has lost moisture in the fridge, sprinkle with a bit of water before reheating.

easy fried rice recipe in a wok
Ham fried rice with egg is the ultimate crowd-pleasing recipe!

Commonly Asked Questions

Why is my Chinese fried rice not “crispy”?

Be sure to use leftover long-grain rice, and avoid overcrowding the wok. You want to allow enough room for the rice to spread out in an even layer in order for it to crisp up or brown nicely. Note: if you’re starting out with mushy rice, it will remain that way even upon frying in the wok.

Why do most Chinese fried rice recipes use eggs?

Found in most fried rice recipes, egg adds protein, texture, and extra richness. Eggs also go extremely well with almost any vegetables and proteins.

How do Chinese restaurants make fried rice so good?

Some restaurants may add oyster sauce or butter and plenty of extra oil to their fried rice for extra browning and flavor. Restaurants also have commercial access to high heat and huge woks, which can make a big difference in how the rice cooks up. However, we can get fantastic flavor right at home, by using a jumbo pan or large wok and not overcrowding the pan.

Can I make Chinese fried rice ahead of time?

Chinese fried rice is perfect for meal prep. You can make a big batch of it and divide it into airtight containers to keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I freeze Chinese fried rice?

This easy fried rice can be frozen for later. Be sure to place leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for up to one month.


Also Try Easy Thai Fried Rice (One Pan Method) 

One-Pan Thai Fried Rice

More to Cook and Eat


Shop this Recipe

  • jumbo frying pan

    This nonstick, jumbo pan gets daily use in our home. Dishwasher-safe, heavy-duty construction heats fast and evenly.

  • Jasmine Rice in a bag

    Jasmine rice is fragrant and cooks up perfectly tender and fluffy; it’s ideal for fried rice, too.

  • sesame oil

    This is the bottle we reach for when it comes to pure sesame flavor.

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

a bowl of ham fried rice with egg

Easy Fried Rice, Chinese Style

5 from 106 ratings
Even tastier than takeout, egg fried rice is a healthy, customizable dish perfect for every occasion. Serve it on its own or as a side with your favorite Asian dishes.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 11 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • 3 TB cooking oil, such as peanut oil or vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ½ cups long grain rice, such as Jasmine, fully cooked and cooled*
  • 2 TB Asian sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Maggi seasoning sauce
  • 2 TB regular soy sauce
  • ½ tsp table salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp white pepper, plus more to taste
  • ½ cup peas/carrots, if frozen, defrost at room temp
  • 1 ½ cups ham, cooked, diced*
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten with 1/8 tsp salt and scrambled into small bits
  • 2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

  • In a large wok or extra-large pan, heat the oil until hot. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  • Add the rice, and stir well. Add the sesame oil, Maggi sauce, soy sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp white pepper. Stir seasonings into the rice to coat thoroughly.
  • Add the peas/carrots and diced ham. Stir to combine and heat through. Add the green onions and scrambled eggs. Stir to incorporate and heat through.
  • If desired, add a bit more salt and white pepper to taste. Serve warm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Notes

*Leftover rice that’s 1-2 days old is best to use for fried rice.
*Chinese sausage, shrimp, browned ground meat, or cooked chicken all are good alternatives for ham. You can also omit meat, for a vegetarian egg fried rice.
*See original article for more variations and serving ideas.
*To keep fried rice gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce or Tamari sauce in place of regular soy sauce and Maggi sauce. 
*If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡
 

Nutrition (per serving)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 694kcal | Carbohydrates: 170g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Method: Stovetop

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Recipe Rating




24 comments

    • SJ
    • 5 stars

    I’d like to try this but the Maggi sauce in your recipe link contains gluten. Please be careful, your clearly posting this as a GF dish. Let me know if I’m wrong.

      • Amy Dong

      Thanks, SJ, updated. You can use Tamari sauce instead. Enjoy!

    • Alex
    • 5 stars

    My husband just made this for dinner! SO good! He said it was easy and he’d be happy to make it again. Yay!

      • Amy Dong

      Awesome!

    • Erin
    • 5 stars

    I had some leftover ham and this was the perfect use for it! I was surprised by how easy it was, too. Thanks for a great recipe!

    • Liz
    • 5 stars

    This was just as good as takeout if not better! And I loved that I was able to save money by making it athome!

    • Ann
    • 5 stars

    I love fried rice, but it tends to be time consuming to make. Your recipe seems very simple and quick. Excited to give it a try!

    • Jessica
    • 5 stars

    Great idea! I’m totally going to teach my kiddo to make this – we often have leftover rice, and it’s a favorite restaurant dish when we go out. So this will be perfect!!

    • Lauren Michael Harris
    • 5 stars

    I love being able to make my favorite take out dishes at home. This fried rice was easy and delicious and I’m sure. much healthier too!

      • Amy Dong

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    • LaKita
    • 5 stars

    I absolutely love fried rice and this recipe certainly did not disappoint. So flavorful, filling, and delicious!! I paired it with a fried egg and chef’s kiss!

      • Amy Dong

      So happy you liked it!

    • Kathryn
    • 5 stars

    We love the flavor of this easy fried rice! This is better than the kind we get at restaurants and I’m so glad I can make it at home! Making this again tonight!

      • Amy Dong

      So glad you all loved this!

    • Gloria
    • 5 stars

    This is the perfect side dish for meat and fish. No need for takeout. This is affordable and delicious.

    • Liz
    • 5 stars

    This was the perfect recipe to use our leftover pork! The whole family raved about this flavorful fried rice!

      • Amy Dong

      Yay, so happy you guys liked it!

    • Lisa
    • 5 stars

    Looks better than take out.

    • Sue
    • 5 stars

    Easy and delicious – this fried rice is a winner!

      • Amy Dong

      Thanks, Sue! 🙂

    • Robert

    About six different kinds of Maggie’s sauce. Just wondering which one you’re referring to

      • Amy Dong

      Hi, Robert! Here’s the link. You can find it at almost any major grocery store these days, too. Enjoy!

    • azra

    Love the recipe’s

      • chewoutloud

      So glad you came over, Azra 🙂

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